"          'm not a believer in man-made global warming.” The words came from President Donald Trump on the Hugh Hewitt Show                 during the GOP primary race. He was calm and firm in his beliefs, surprising in comparison to past administrations.

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The role of science in shaping policy has become a prominent political concern. Throughout previous administrations, laws were passed as a safeguard for the environment. There are around 33 laws and executive orders that require federal agents to consider possible environmental damages before approving a project on federal land, in order to protect human health and the environment, as stated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

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AP Environmental Science teacher Jeremy Jenkins educates his students on the causes and possible outcomes of climate change.

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“I would like to think that my children and grandchildren will be able to see and experience everything that I have on the planet,” Jenkins said. “So understanding what’s going on now will help drive decisions that will have future impacts.”

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As a science teacher, Jenkins is concerned that voters will only listen to the information that politicians provide for them.

“The politicians are much more visible than scientists are,” Jenkins said. “So the general public is going to believe those people that seem to be in positions of power, regardless of what their beliefs are.”

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According to NASA, climate change mainly correlates to human activities that increase the carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. However, it is possible to combat the causes. Anyone can get involved by helping in small ways such as recycling, bagging groceries with reusable bags, volunteering in community cleanup projects and educating others on the causes and effects of climate change.

Climate change may cause rising sea levels and warmer temperatures in the northern hemisphere. Though the physical changes are noticeable, Jenkins believes that any challenges can be solved.

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“I don’t hold the thoughts of a ‘dire future,’” Jenkins said. “There will be some changes, but we as a species, the humans, we have been able to come up with technology and ways to get around all sorts of things, and so I think our ingenuity is going to allow us to overcome any problems in the future.”

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The Youth Environmental Association (YEA) team promotes preserving the environment through drives to collect plastic bags and attending events like the Refashion Bash, which requires competitors to create an outfit entirely out of recycled materials.

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“Through the YEA team, I’ve been able to realize different ways that I can use recycled materials, like how I can put them into art,” sophomore Nick AhSam said. “I try to recycle and reuse as much waste as I possibly can.”

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Many people doubt the existence of climate change. Among them is senior John Davidson, who believes that humans are incapable of destroying the planet as it disagrees with his Christian beliefs.

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“To think that we can change our whole earth [is] not right,” Davidson said. “God gives us life, and we are a part of His creation, and we can’t change His creation. We have dominion over it, but we don’t have the ability to absolutely destroy what He created.”

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Though his beliefs are strong, Davidson acknowledges changes in weather patterns, but has little interest in discovering the cause.

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“Weather does change,” Davidson said. “It always has. I think it’s just natural. There are things we don’t understand fully about our earth, and I don’t think we ever will. I don’t think it’s our position to know everything, because we’re just people.”

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Still, Christian students like junior Madison Treat do not sympathize with those who disregard climate change.

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“I think a lot of people try not to believe in [climate change] because it’s a really scary thought,” Treat said. “Really research it and try to understand it rather than totally disregard it. It’s our planet, and we’re going to be here forever. We have to preserve it for future generations.”

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As the next generation reaches the voting age, it is important to Jenkins that his students do their own research on issues before forming an opinion.

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“You have to have some understanding of these different topics, scientifically, that come up, so you can then make those decisions based upon knowledge as opposed to someone else’s point of view,” Jenkins said.