5 Thursday,August 13 , 2015 The Michigan Daily — michigandaily.com OPINION originates from land-based human activities. These actions lead to a slow accumulation of devastating consequences. As a result, we don’t immediately know the impact of our actions, and other issues take precedence in our lives. However, as we continue to knowingly, or unknowingly, alter the environment, the damage done is never a singular issue. Water pollution is merely one concern. Research has shown that far more issues, such as acidification of the water, glacial melting and rising water temperatures as a result of climate change and subsequent dis- ruption of marine ecosystems, all are lurking beneath the surface and could pose significant changes to the world as we know it now. Climate change, as a whole, is a subject we’ve known about, have discussed, have debated ad nauseam and have still exhibited a dangerously delayed response to. President Barack Obama, in a recent attempt to shift the con- versation, recently proposed plans for stricter regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and bolster the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy sources. Although the administration of the Clean Power Plan could be offset by dissenting opinions, legal conflicts and the ideology of the next per- son to assume charge of the White House, Obama’s actions, at the very least, will help secure a place for discussions about the environment in the endless stream of upcoming debates and campaign speeches. Throughout my wander- ings, I was a student and a tourist seeking to find the beauty of the country I had found myself lost in. Whether it is manmade or natu- ral, we as humans seek to uncover these astonishing sights, but we sometimes all too easily forget how easily the stunning natural envi- ronment can be tarnished. We, in order, to protect the numerous paths we wander upon, need to relinquish our roles as mere specta- tors and begin taking action. —Melissa Scholke can be reached at melikaye@umich.edu. Things I wish I did this summer H ere’s a line you hear every year: I can’t believe how fast the summer has gone by. Seriously, though. It feels like yesterday I was wait- ing for the Daily’s serv- ers to operate at a reasonable rate (well actually, it was yes- terday), and now it’s August, a mere three weeks away from the beginning of fall semester (read: Harbaugh era of Michi- gan football). So, as I sit here writing this at the Daily, cherishing my last moments as managing editor, it seems like a great time to reflect on what I did this sum- mer, or actually, what I wish I did and did not do because that’s a lot more interesting. And maybe, just maybe, there will be something to learn from this thought exercise: I wish I watched less Fox News. No, this isn’t my big “I’m actu- ally a Republican” announcement. Rather, back in May, I challenged myself to watch the network as my primary TV news source. Huge mistake. I mean, the things that come out of these people’s mouths are too terrible to be true — the highlight being Bill O’Reilly declaring institutional racism no longer exists (OK, Bill, OK). I would be shocked if there wasn’t a dartboard in the middle of their newsroom with President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s faces tacked in the center. My prob- lem was watching Fox became somewhat of a pseudo-addiction, where I started counting on Bill Hemmer and Martha McCal- lum to start my day off right — and angry. By July, my viewing started to cool down a bit, but last Thurs- day’s Republican debate brought me back in. I have never enjoyed ignorance so much. Seriously, could they have found a group of 10 people who are more out of touch with reality? Probably, but my point is made. While there were many posi- tives in this Fox News-viewing experience — becoming more confident in my beliefs, copious amounts of unintentional comedy, etc. — I wish it didn’t happen. I feel a bit less sane now. I wish I checked my e-mail less. Filling out medical school applications may be important, in that I don’t get to go to medi- cal school without doing them, but side effects include compul- sive e-mail checking to the point of insanity. Seeing “Updated Just Now” with no new e-mails is borderline torture. This whole process is really the ultimate test of how well I handle patience. Pun intended. I wish I watched more documentaries. I love learning about the more impor- tant things in life: a leg- endary sushi chef, the his- tory of Chi- nese food, scientology and tennis matches that never happened. Documentaries have unlocked a curious spirit in me to educate myself on just about any- thing, even if it’s just to add some excitement to a conversation. For all I’ve watched this summer, I’m committed to watching more. The Amy Winehouse documentary is next on my list. I wish I wrote and performed a stand-up comedy set. Not that I think it would be any good, but this has been a goal of mine for a while. I like to believe I would have a small semblance of stage presence and maybe have gotten a couple of jokes to land, so I wish I gave it a try. Maybe some- day, though. I’m trying to be the next Larry David here! I wish I ran more Not actually. I wish I went camping I’ve spent a lot of this summer on the computer and my phone. While camping out on Facebook scrolling endlessly down is fun, it simply can’t beat the great out- doors. I know I’m not the only one who is obsessed with their tech- nology, and it’s a real problem. Craving virtual social interaction is simply not healthy. I need to dis- connect from that world for a bit. Plus, I miss the tents, the camp- fires and the hikes. I’m craving real conversations while eating hot dogs with great friends. *** When I look at this short list, I see some things serious, most things not so much. How- ever, believe it or not, there is an important question that comes out of this: Am I living the life I want to live? In most ways, yes. I’m pur- suing a career in medicine and found a genuine passion for public health this summer. I am proud of the fact that I attempt to educate myself in a wide variety of topics. But what about every- thing in between? My time in Ann Arbor is winding down (less than a year left), and there are plenty of restaurants and stores I have yet to eat and shop at. I really do want to write that comedy routine, and I want to become less attached to my e-mail. I want to strengthen my relation- ships with the people I care about most. It’s time to start prioritizing those things because these are the experiences that will go a long way in living the life I want to live — one that’s not sucked away by staring at social media. Luckily, I have the next cou- ple weeks off, so I know where I can start. Anyone want to go camping? — Derek Wolfecan be reached at dewolfe@umich.edu. DEREK WOLFE Believe it or not, there is an important questions that comes out of this: Am I living the life I want to live? JOIN THE DAILY THIS FALL! E-mail tothedaily@michigandaily.com for more information. — Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker said last Thursday night during the Republican presidential debate on Fox News. “ NOTABLE QUOTABLE Probably the Russian and Chinese government know more about Hillary Clinton’s e-mail server than the United States Congress.” The Daily will be publishing in print five days a week, starting September 8, the first day of the fall semester. 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