As Benjamin Franklin once wisely noted, “the only constant in life is change.” Yet we are always risk averse, and climate change is no different. Penn has recently taken a massive step towards combating climate change by announcing they will no longer invest in companies that produce fossil fuels. But if this monumental stride towards saving our planet does not stop the warming, here are five things students at Penn can look forward to!

1.     The sun will no longer set at 5 pm during the winter

Warmer days mean longer days (this is a scientific fact), and with longer days, you can enjoy your winter afternoons just a little bit longer. Instead of walking out of Van Pelt in the dark, you can enjoy the sunset from Van Pelt! 

2.     Penn will save energy

AC uses less energy than heat. Hotter days means more AC and less heat use, saving on energy AND fossil fuels. Global warming, amirite?

3.     Penn will stop watering Locust Walk

It seems that the lawns on campus always need watering – the sprinklers are constantly running, even after rain. With more severe weather and hurricanes, maybe the grass can finally receive enough water.

4.     Philadelphia will be the premier city in the northeast

Climate change is thought to lead to rising sea levels, which means cities on the Atlantic could begin to sink underwater soon. Cities which are closer to the ocean and lower in elevation will sink first; once New York City, Boston, Hartford, Providence, Bridgeport, Atlantic City, Newark, Trenton, and Camden go under, Philly will be the best city around! 

5.     Penn will be the premier college in the northeast

For the same reason, the other Ivy League schools will go under before Penn (we realize Dartmouth and Cornell lie further from the coast than Penn, but the point still holds), and we will become the top university. 

Though climate change may have devastating effects, that’s really more of a personal problem. Hopefully this list will help you look on the bright side!