Green: your favorite color
So I am the "E-rep" for my dorm and I decided to write a little newsletter to the dorm every week with eco-tips. I am a big fan of little things people can do, you know, those things that are so easy that even people who aren't that big into the environment can do it? Anyway, I thought I would post them here too, 'cause they are kinda fun
Also...
Global warming is real, but we can still be optimistic about it
I say this with a smile on my face: Global warming is happening and there’s nothing we can do to stop it. According to a report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just last week, we are at a point where we will need to adapt to the climate changes that are now inevitable. Even if we magically stop all carbon emissions tomorrow, we must still prepare our most vulnerable cities for irreversible warming processes already set in motion by the last 200 years of human-made harm. Scientists already point to global warming as part of the reason for recent floods, droughts, and hurricanes around the world. Britain, the Netherlands, New Orleans, and even Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest nations has invested in large-scale flood protection. Congratulations, it’s official! We’re melting.
Why am I smiling then, when the future looks so bleak? Because it doesn’t have to. I don’t believe in predicting doomsday. I believe in the ability of intelligent, informed people to solve problems, even one as big as global warming. Something /can/ be done and many of the world’s present and future scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and politicians are already taking action. The rest of us just have to listen, really listen, and consider the future they envision. How will cities of the future be different? How will global climate changes and our efforts to adapt to them shape society and the lives of individuals? It’s uncharted, but not all bad. Amidst the dreary auguries of sunless, smoke filled skylines, environmental engineers are already creating affordable, innovative buildings that capitalize on natural sunlight and use energy more efficiently. Amidst the omens of melting polar caps caused by greenhouse gases, scientists are also experimenting with ways to capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it underground. And in spite of the image of the increasingly wasteful consumer, a handful of people are holding green weddings and choosing to live in smaller houses that use less. In the future, perhaps vintage clothing will become a more popular trend and washing machines will be forgone for clotheslines once again. Will vegetarianism spread because of the high carbon emissions released during the production of meat? Will we start paying all our bills online to avoid paper waste? Perhaps we will end up working closer to home to avoid the emissions on the commute. Starbucks, for example, has hired a consulting company in Seattle streamline their workforce’s daily commute. It turns out a lot of their employees do not work at the coffee shop closest to their home.
These are the questions we’re thinking about today. As long as we’re aware of them, we can come up with smart, efficient solutions. Climate change means forward thinking is crucial to the health of the environment. This is a message that many college campuses like Stanford have already heard and internalized. Within this academic year, Students for a Sustainable Stanford have launched Row House composting initiatives and actively promoted campus wide campaigns to conserve water and energy, two Stanford students have convinced campus cafes to offer biodegradable silverware as part of a community service PWR project, and just last week a gathering of student leaders from top universities in the U.S. and China at a conference sponsored by the Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford worked together to plan collaborative grassroots environmental campaigns between the two nations.
Three words: keep it up. Now is the time for everyone to learn about how we can shape the future of the planet, for the better. Go to a panel on alternative energy. Discuss it in the dining hall with your friends. And don’t scoff when you’re told to put your leftover food and used napkins in the composting bin instead of the trash. I’m not saying we should all be jumping to start recycling campaigns and canvass for the Sierra Club. Instead, we just need to listen, really listen to the voices that are speaking about sustainability. Internalize them, because it will be our generation’s foremost responsibility. Whether we go forward to make remarkable contributions to the realms of business, academia, government or art in the most powerful---and most wasteful---nation in the world, each of us can and must remember, as well, to use the available resources in our respective fields for the sake of the planet.
Onto the newsletter---
:-) Live a little greener! :-)
1. Put your computer to sleep. Standby instead of the screensaver. Even better, turn it off instead of standby.
2. Change your lightbulbs to CFLs.
They are funny, swirly things, but a 26 watt CFL is like 100 watts of light. You can get them at Walmart, Target, etc.
3. Reuse your water bottle.
Consider buying one of those big gallons of mineral water instead of bottled water and refilling your bottle when you need it.
4. Get off junk mail lists.
Did you know that we chop down 100,000,000 trees and waste 28 billion gallons of water EVERY YEAR producing junk mail, most which goes straight to the trash or recycling bin? (I would want to get off junk mail lists anyway.) This organization can help: Green Dimes
5. Pay your bills online.
6. Unplug your electronics when you're not using them.
Cell phone chargers especially! Electronics drain energy even when they're not on, but simply plugged in.
7. Tune up your car.
When's the last time you had your car checked out? :) While you're at it, you can also try driving 65 on the highway instead of 75... It's tough, I know. But it can save up to 1500 lbs of carbon emissions a year!
and finally
8. Think about the vintage look!
It's hot! and it's like recycling. You avoid the energy consumed by the production of a new shirt. Sick of what's in your closet? Swap clothes with your friends.
Also...
Global warming is real, but we can still be optimistic about it
I say this with a smile on my face: Global warming is happening and there’s nothing we can do to stop it. According to a report released by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change just last week, we are at a point where we will need to adapt to the climate changes that are now inevitable. Even if we magically stop all carbon emissions tomorrow, we must still prepare our most vulnerable cities for irreversible warming processes already set in motion by the last 200 years of human-made harm. Scientists already point to global warming as part of the reason for recent floods, droughts, and hurricanes around the world. Britain, the Netherlands, New Orleans, and even Bangladesh, one of the world’s poorest nations has invested in large-scale flood protection. Congratulations, it’s official! We’re melting.
Why am I smiling then, when the future looks so bleak? Because it doesn’t have to. I don’t believe in predicting doomsday. I believe in the ability of intelligent, informed people to solve problems, even one as big as global warming. Something /can/ be done and many of the world’s present and future scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and politicians are already taking action. The rest of us just have to listen, really listen, and consider the future they envision. How will cities of the future be different? How will global climate changes and our efforts to adapt to them shape society and the lives of individuals? It’s uncharted, but not all bad. Amidst the dreary auguries of sunless, smoke filled skylines, environmental engineers are already creating affordable, innovative buildings that capitalize on natural sunlight and use energy more efficiently. Amidst the omens of melting polar caps caused by greenhouse gases, scientists are also experimenting with ways to capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it underground. And in spite of the image of the increasingly wasteful consumer, a handful of people are holding green weddings and choosing to live in smaller houses that use less. In the future, perhaps vintage clothing will become a more popular trend and washing machines will be forgone for clotheslines once again. Will vegetarianism spread because of the high carbon emissions released during the production of meat? Will we start paying all our bills online to avoid paper waste? Perhaps we will end up working closer to home to avoid the emissions on the commute. Starbucks, for example, has hired a consulting company in Seattle streamline their workforce’s daily commute. It turns out a lot of their employees do not work at the coffee shop closest to their home.
These are the questions we’re thinking about today. As long as we’re aware of them, we can come up with smart, efficient solutions. Climate change means forward thinking is crucial to the health of the environment. This is a message that many college campuses like Stanford have already heard and internalized. Within this academic year, Students for a Sustainable Stanford have launched Row House composting initiatives and actively promoted campus wide campaigns to conserve water and energy, two Stanford students have convinced campus cafes to offer biodegradable silverware as part of a community service PWR project, and just last week a gathering of student leaders from top universities in the U.S. and China at a conference sponsored by the Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford worked together to plan collaborative grassroots environmental campaigns between the two nations.
Three words: keep it up. Now is the time for everyone to learn about how we can shape the future of the planet, for the better. Go to a panel on alternative energy. Discuss it in the dining hall with your friends. And don’t scoff when you’re told to put your leftover food and used napkins in the composting bin instead of the trash. I’m not saying we should all be jumping to start recycling campaigns and canvass for the Sierra Club. Instead, we just need to listen, really listen to the voices that are speaking about sustainability. Internalize them, because it will be our generation’s foremost responsibility. Whether we go forward to make remarkable contributions to the realms of business, academia, government or art in the most powerful---and most wasteful---nation in the world, each of us can and must remember, as well, to use the available resources in our respective fields for the sake of the planet.
Onto the newsletter---
:-) Live a little greener! :-)
1. Put your computer to sleep. Standby instead of the screensaver. Even better, turn it off instead of standby.
2. Change your lightbulbs to CFLs.
They are funny, swirly things, but a 26 watt CFL is like 100 watts of light. You can get them at Walmart, Target, etc.
3. Reuse your water bottle.
Consider buying one of those big gallons of mineral water instead of bottled water and refilling your bottle when you need it.
4. Get off junk mail lists.
Did you know that we chop down 100,000,000 trees and waste 28 billion gallons of water EVERY YEAR producing junk mail, most which goes straight to the trash or recycling bin? (I would want to get off junk mail lists anyway.) This organization can help: Green Dimes
5. Pay your bills online.
6. Unplug your electronics when you're not using them.
Cell phone chargers especially! Electronics drain energy even when they're not on, but simply plugged in.
7. Tune up your car.
When's the last time you had your car checked out? :) While you're at it, you can also try driving 65 on the highway instead of 75... It's tough, I know. But it can save up to 1500 lbs of carbon emissions a year!
and finally
8. Think about the vintage look!
It's hot! and it's like recycling. You avoid the energy consumed by the production of a new shirt. Sick of what's in your closet? Swap clothes with your friends.