A short article written by Natalie Ermann Russell in this week's USA Weekend magazine discusses those higher institutions that are adopting green policies. The greenest are:
At Middlebury College in Vermont. The school plans to be carbon neutral by 2016. How will it achieve this? With a proposed biomass plant (to be powered by wood chips) and energy efficient lighting.
At Oberlin College in Ohio. Students get real-time information about their energy usage through a Web-based system in the dorms. Stuents also worked to get a car-share program on campus to reduce pollution.
At University of Maryland at College Park. 91% of undergrads voted in favor of implementing a small anual fee (atarting at $4) that would fund the purchase of "clean" electricity.
I'm really impressed with the www.kidsforacoolerplanet.com! Check out this site and the impact these kids are having in New Hampshire and Vermont. This is just one kid's entry:
Kyle van Leer (Hanover High School junior): "I joined the green bag group because I knew that something had to be done about the environment. Obviously, I wasn't going to discover the alternate fuel source, but I knew that I would be able to make a difference through spreading the use of reusable bags. The most interesting thing I have learned is probably how awful plastic bags are during their degradation process. Another really interesting thing that I have witnessed is how people are willing to find other ways to help the environment -- all they need is a push to get them going. I am so proud of the whole group, the project has gone farther than I had ever imagined. I was skeptical that our town would pick it up, let alone the whole state! Overall, I am very happy with the project and can't wait to see where it takes me.
Posted by: elleno | March 18, 2008 at 08:48 AM