Earth Day Celebration kicks off new environmental ethics program
Lindsey Keogh, Staff Writer
Issue date: 4/18/07 Section: Features
"Let's face it, we're behind the curve," says Ryan Gustafson, member of EGOR. "As an institution of higher education, we should be the forerunners of environmental change in our community."
Gustafson claims that it is obvious from simple observation of what is thrown into the "recycling" receptacles of the college that the effort to conserve is weak.
"All we need is a small investment in some reasonable recycling and the students to be pro-active about it," says Gustafson.
These simple changes are the beginnings of what EGOR hopes will be a movement towards a "sustainable" campus.
Sustainability is a multi-tiered project that involves recycling, reducing pollution, alternative energy sources, green buildings, nature conservation, energy conservation and more.
A widely accepted definition of sustainability comes from former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, who defined it as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
"Sustainability begins with projects such as sorting trash, setting up a co-op with the local farms," says Gustafson.
These types of projects are popular at many colleges around the nation.
For example, Cornell University has recently made a commitment to move toward Carbon Neutrality.
Carbon Neutrality works to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and offset what is left, to the point where net emissions reach zero.
"I can just envision the day when people are responsible enough to keep track of their greenhouse net emissions," says Gustafson.
The Earth Day celebration and Environmental Leadership program are important steps toward the ultimate goal. EGOR hopes to continue to build momentum in their sustainability efforts.
"We just have to find a way to get people to care," says Gustafson.
Gustafson claims that it is obvious from simple observation of what is thrown into the "recycling" receptacles of the college that the effort to conserve is weak.
"All we need is a small investment in some reasonable recycling and the students to be pro-active about it," says Gustafson.
These simple changes are the beginnings of what EGOR hopes will be a movement towards a "sustainable" campus.
Sustainability is a multi-tiered project that involves recycling, reducing pollution, alternative energy sources, green buildings, nature conservation, energy conservation and more.
A widely accepted definition of sustainability comes from former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, who defined it as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
"Sustainability begins with projects such as sorting trash, setting up a co-op with the local farms," says Gustafson.
These types of projects are popular at many colleges around the nation.
For example, Cornell University has recently made a commitment to move toward Carbon Neutrality.
Carbon Neutrality works to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and offset what is left, to the point where net emissions reach zero.
"I can just envision the day when people are responsible enough to keep track of their greenhouse net emissions," says Gustafson.
The Earth Day celebration and Environmental Leadership program are important steps toward the ultimate goal. EGOR hopes to continue to build momentum in their sustainability efforts.
"We just have to find a way to get people to care," says Gustafson.
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