The Campus Green: Today’s Universities will Ensure a Greener Tomorrow

Going green is becoming all the rage at colleges and universities around the nation, and we’re not just talking about the Cal-Berkley’s of the world. I should know, since I’m a part of the growing crowd of environmentally-aware young adults! Our institutions of higher education are increasingly providing environments to foster critical thinking and creativity in sustainability with new course offerings and majors. Better yet, our exposure to new media and social networking provide access to the information and social “cool” factors necessary to drive eco-friendly actions from our future leaders.

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Farm Sanctuaries Offer Fun Volunteering Opportunities

Summer is a great time to start volunteering.  With increased hours of daylight, there’s more time to do charity work and now more than ever is a great time to give back.  There are countless opportunities to get your hands dirty while helping a cause.

Are you an animal lover?   There are many ways to help animals in need, and farm sanctuaries are one of them.

Last weekend I toured Peaceful Prairie, a farm sanctuary 50 miles east of Denver.  Farm sanctuaries rescue abused and exploited animals and give them a life of freedom and care.  These sanctuaries will care for the animal for the rest of its life.  The tour began at the main house, which demonstrated a vegan grocery store.  Vegans don’t eat any animal products; no dairy, honey, butter, milk, cheese, eggs, etc.  They believe that the vegan lifestyle is the only one that can ensure no animal harm or exploitation.  Some think that eating vegan can be very expensive because the processed faux meats and soy yogurts are a little more pricey.  However, most healthy vegans I know, including myself, eat in a way that costs less.  For instance, most dinners include veggies, a grain (bought in bulk), and beans.  All of those are healthy and inexpensive ingredients.

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After Stab in the Back, Geothermal Poised for a Comeback

Whenever alternative energy is mentioned, solar and wind energy come most immediately to mind. Yet as promising as the futures for these energies may be, most Americans may not be aware that geothermal energy has been extensively utilized in the past and present. Moreover, its future appears to be virtually unlimited and initial capital outlay for its development might well be the most cost-effective of all alternative energy sources.

In a story that received very little media coverage at the time and even less coverage when the Bush Administration pulled funding for geothermal research shortly after, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) released a study concluding that a proposed form of geothermal extraction they referred to as “heat mining” could “provide a substantial portion of the electricity that the United States will need in the future.” Furthermore, the MIT study concluded that “heat mining” could do so “probably at competitive prices and with minimal environmental impact.”

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Going Green in Obama’s Greensburg – Video

Greensburg, Kansas is rebuilding green two years after it was devastated by a tornado. The Wall Street Journal’s Andy Jordan notes that decision was based on a complex calculus that included tax breaks and PR, as well as altruism and a concern for the environment.

Arthur Frommer Discusses Eco-Friendly Travel Tips at Tattered Cover

Arthur Frommer discussed his new book, Ask Arthur Frommer: And Travel Better, Cheaper, Smarter, with a captive Tattered Cover Bookstore audience the evening of Friday, May 8th in Denver, CO.  The condensed encyclopedia of travel, targeted to meet the budgets a recession stricken audience, stresses the importance of vacationing in US national parks.

When an audience member posed a question about the connection between travel and climate change, Mr. Frommer responded “we believe we’re part of a community and have to understand the world.  It’s a balancing act.”

He and his daughter, Pauline Frommer, also a highly lauded travel writer, also offered the following eco-friendly travel tips:

• Book nonstop flights when you can
• Rent a hybrid when you get there
• Target destinations that are making a big eco-friendly
• Travel with eco friendly tour companies like The Sierra Club and Intrepid Travel
• Look into volunteer opportunities sponsored by organizations like Earthwatch and American Hiking Society
• Consider going on biking tours

Green Tips: Choose Paperless Billing

In a week where President Barack Obama set new emission standards for cars at 35 mpg by 2016, we see an example of how macro changes in big industries like car manufacturers can lead to micro changes, reducing the carbon footprint of each of us as individuals.

While we wait for these important legislative changes to take effect, individuals can make an immediate impact with simpler, green actions — including changing the way we pay our bills.

This week, U.S. Bank requested via email that I save paper and switch to electronic statements. Comcast did the same with my cable bill. I recently switched my credit card bills to paperless by simply clicking a couple links online.

For people like me, the pain of junk mail more than justifies the switch to eBills.  And the actions we need to take to make the switch are quite simple.  So just how big are the green benefits of going paperless? Are these companies just trying to dress up a little less paperwork and efficiency with greenwash?

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How Green is our “Stuff” Culture?

Have you ever wondered if our culture of “buying stuff” is truly sustainable?  And how did we become a consume-and-dispose society?  I encourage everyone to watch the video at the top of this article, a simple education tool for our youth, yet still eye-opening presentation called “The Story of Stuff”.  Annie Leonard, an expert in international sustainability and environmental health issues, narrates this 20-minute, quick-hitting look our consumption-first economy. She highlights important social, political, and environmental considerations, and asks thought-provoking questions along the way.

On the consumer front, hopefully more people will start asking deeper questions of themselves and corporations when considering purchases:

• Do I absolutely need this product?
• Where did the raw materials come from, and are they potentially toxic?
• Who assembled the product, and were they paid a fair wage to work in a healthy environment?
• Is this product built to last?
• How and when will I dispose of the product?

For more specific information on products, check out GoodGuide (which is also available as a free iPhone app) and SkinDeep.