2008 Woodie Awards
Green campus is goal
By Cameron Siefkes Staff reporter
Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Collegian Front Page
"I would like to believe that it's not happening. It is happening
at a rate that is faster than we anticipated," said Richard Cowlishaw, biology professor.
He is talking about global warming, which is plaguing planet Earth. In order to stop global warming, humans need to begin to make changes.
Right now Southwestern is doing just that. Becoming a green campus is the goal. One group on campus that is focused on helping the environment and reversing the effects of global warming is the Green Team. Albert
Ong, biology sophomore, said, " The Green Team is looking
for ways to reduce the carbon
footprint of Southwestern College." Right now they are completing the first draft of the carbon inventory.
Cowlishaw said, "It is an inventory
of the gas and electricity
that we use on campus." This will allow for the leaders of the campus to discover ways in which the campus can reduce its use of energy.
Another project that is in the works is developing a Green Team that will contain members of the faculty and a student from each class. Cowlishaw said, "Hopefully if we do it right, we can set up some scholarships where students get the same money as an athlete."
A student does not have to be involved in a group to produce
change on campus. Ong said, "Bettering the campus starts with students' enthusiasm for change. On other campuses where extensive environmentally
friendly renovations have been carried out, fervently strong student support has been present." Therefore, changes cannot be made by a few students.
The support of the whole student body is needed.
There are many ways each student on campus can help to reduce their own personal carbon footprint. Turning off lights when they are not in use, unplugging electronics, taking shorter showers, driving less, using less paper, and of course recycling are all ways in which students can help. Cowlishaw said, "Recycling is the easiest way to start changing your lifestyle."
There are bins in a few buildings around campus where students can take materials to be recycled. Hopefully in the future there will be more recycling reciprocals.
Cowlishaw said, "It needs to be more visible and people need to be tripping over them."
Living on a small campus and in a small community makes it seem impossible for people to impact the environment. "Even though we are a small point on the Earth, we contribute to what is emitted around the world. If we all share the problem we should share in the solution," Cowlishaw said.
Cameron Siefkes is a sophomore
majoring in communication.
You may e-mail her at cameron.siefkes@sckans.edu.
at a rate that is faster than we anticipated," said Richard Cowlishaw, biology professor.
He is talking about global warming, which is plaguing planet Earth. In order to stop global warming, humans need to begin to make changes.
Right now Southwestern is doing just that. Becoming a green campus is the goal. One group on campus that is focused on helping the environment and reversing the effects of global warming is the Green Team. Albert
Ong, biology sophomore, said, " The Green Team is looking
for ways to reduce the carbon
footprint of Southwestern College." Right now they are completing the first draft of the carbon inventory.
Cowlishaw said, "It is an inventory
of the gas and electricity
that we use on campus." This will allow for the leaders of the campus to discover ways in which the campus can reduce its use of energy.
Another project that is in the works is developing a Green Team that will contain members of the faculty and a student from each class. Cowlishaw said, "Hopefully if we do it right, we can set up some scholarships where students get the same money as an athlete."
A student does not have to be involved in a group to produce
change on campus. Ong said, "Bettering the campus starts with students' enthusiasm for change. On other campuses where extensive environmentally
friendly renovations have been carried out, fervently strong student support has been present." Therefore, changes cannot be made by a few students.
The support of the whole student body is needed.
There are many ways each student on campus can help to reduce their own personal carbon footprint. Turning off lights when they are not in use, unplugging electronics, taking shorter showers, driving less, using less paper, and of course recycling are all ways in which students can help. Cowlishaw said, "Recycling is the easiest way to start changing your lifestyle."
There are bins in a few buildings around campus where students can take materials to be recycled. Hopefully in the future there will be more recycling reciprocals.
Cowlishaw said, "It needs to be more visible and people need to be tripping over them."
Living on a small campus and in a small community makes it seem impossible for people to impact the environment. "Even though we are a small point on the Earth, we contribute to what is emitted around the world. If we all share the problem we should share in the solution," Cowlishaw said.
Cameron Siefkes is a sophomore
majoring in communication.
You may e-mail her at cameron.siefkes@sckans.edu.
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