Sustainability
October 14, 2009
GC prepares for Oct. 24, International Day of Climate Action
Last spring, Bill McKibben, author and economist, personally challenged Goshen College students to take creative action on October 24th. In nine days, GC will answer this call and join communities all over the world in rallies and movements that take a stand against global climate change. On October 24th, communities across the world will highlight the number 350 in a unique way. Scientists say 350 is the upper limit of parts per million of carbon dioxide our atmosphere can retain for a sustainable future. Group photos depicting 350 will be compiled at the Web site 350.org. Among other locations, the...
October 14, 2009
Shifting power in Carmel
Eleven students traveled to Carmel, Ind. last Saturday to attend Powershift, a summit propelled by young people who are demanding action on climate and energy policies in 2009. The group spent all day Saturday at the event attending workshops and listening to speakers. Hannah Eberly, Corinne Jager, Luke Zehr, all first-years, and Alana Kenagy, a third-year, stayed for the evening symposium entitled “Awakening the Dream.” Roughly 100 people attended Powershift, and they started the day with a speaker who explained the science of climate change. A small rally was held afterwards. "We all had signs with things like 'Green jobs...
September 23, 2009
Brenneman finalizes GC’s carbon neutrality plan
Last week, President Jim Brenneman finalized Goshen College’s Climate Action Plan to reduce the campus’ carbon impact. He submitted it to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), a college and university climate change initiative, taking steps such as reducing carbon impact and neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions. The Climate Action Plan declares GC’s commitment to carbon neutrality, outlines ways to achieve this goal and includes steps to help students develop skills necessary to help other communities toward the same cause. “Climate change presents us with a societal emergency and a moral imperative for innovation," said President Brenneman. “The...
September 23, 2009
GC’s green lawns make way for wild growth
Just south of the Newcomer Center, a large rectangle of once-green grass is now a brown blot on the field. Roundup, an herbicide, was applied to the grass to make way for the planting of various native species, which will retain water, filter atmospheric carbon and reduce maintenance costs. This project, which is being headed up by a team of students, professors and Physical Plant employees, is one of two tall-grass prairie restorations that are happening simultaneously at Goshen College. The second project, an experimental tall-grass prairie restoration in Witmer Woods, is being carried out by members of Ryan Sensenig’s...
September 16, 2009
350.org meeting tonight: Be there
Brainstorming will begin tonight for Goshen’s action on Oct. 24th, the designated date for worldwide support of drastic global climate change measures that will be discussed in Copenhagen that day. Eco-pax, Pax, and International Student Club (I.S.C.) are partnering to get this event started, but participation is open to anyone on campus. A meeting will be held to discuss ideas tonight in AD 28 from 6 to 7pm. An initial presentation on 350.org will be followed by a small group discussion of ideas and then a period of large group sharing. “The action groups formed in this meeting will meet...
April 1, 2009
Earth Day sparks First Fridays ‘Green Day’
In recognition of Earth Day during the month of April, the First Friday downtown is declaring a Green Day. The Mill Race Farmer's Market will be at the center of many of the activities on Friday, beginning at 5 p.m. The farmer's market will mark the starting and finishing point of a 5k run and 3k walk. The course will proceed south on the Mill Race trail and make a loop in Shanklin Park. Registration for the race begins at 5 p.m. (the cost is $20), and the race begins at 6 p.m. Participants can save $5 if they register...
April 1, 2009
Lights off: Saving energy one hour at a time
It was only an hour, but Goshen College joined 50 million people around the world on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. to raise awareness about global climate change and energy consumption by turning off unnecessary lights during Earth Hour, sponsored by World Wildlife Fund. W.W.F. recognized Goshen College as a "flagship campus" along with 79 other college campuses across the United States. Glenn Gilbert , utilities manager of Physical Plant, signed the college up for the event. But to become a "flagship campus" President Brenneman signed a commitment to have events held on campus to celebrate Earth Hour. During the hour,...
March 25, 2009
Don’t drive day spurs spontaneity
Getting to work at the Good Library without a car took some extra planning for Lisa Guedea Carreno on Don’t Drive Day – planning that didn’t quite work out. Don’t Drive Day was a campus challenge to avoid driving by biking, carpooling or walking on Friday. Guedea Carreno drives 21 miles every day – 11 miles to get her to and from work and another 10 miles to pick up her daughter, Genevieve, from after-school care. Guedea Carreno planned to take the Interurban Trolley to campus after seeing her daughter get on the school bus. Then, at the end of...
March 18, 2009
Clearing up solar domestic hot water
Letter to the editor In the last year or so, the Record has published two articles about the proposed Recreation-Fitness Center solar hot water project. These articles have done a great job at presenting the concept, but have not been very descriptive of some of the issues involved. The project started about a year and a half ago, when we learned that Indiana offers a matching grant of up to $25,000 for the installation of a solar domestic water heater (there have yet to be any takers for this money). Domestic hot water is the stuff you shower in. The...
March 11, 2009
Changing our red lining climate: McKibben moves the world to 350
What's the big deal with the number 350? To Bill McKibben, an environmental activist and bestselling author, and anyone involved with the 350 organization, it means the world. Scientifically, 350 represents the "red line" for the amount of carbon dioxide (in parts per million) in the atmosphere before there is irreversible damage done to Earth. The current level is 387 parts per million and rising. Mckibben's lecture, "The Most Important Number in the World: Building a Worldwide Movement to Fight Climate Change," was given in Sauder Concert Hall on Wednesday and was the annual Yoder Public Affairs Lecture. McKibben encouraged...
March 4, 2009
A movement to fight climate change: environmental activist Bill McKibben to speak on campus
For anyone losing trust in the current economic environment, Bill McKibben might be the right guy to listen to. McKibben will visit Goshen College on Mar. 11 to present his Yoder Public Affairs Lecture "The Most Important Number in the World: Building a Worldwide Movement to Fight Climate Change," at 7 p.m. in Sauder Concert Hall. Author of the bestselling book "Deep Economy" (Times Books, 2007), McKibben challenges the unlimited growth mentality of our economy. According to McKibben, we should focus on local economies and ecological economics, or basically paying for the impact our purchases have on the environment. For...
February 4, 2009
Sustainable farm unsustainable for college budget
In today's unstable economy, it's difficult to imagine anyone turning down a donation. However, Goshen College recently turned down a nine-acre farm with a house and barn that would have been donated from Heifer International, an organization that works toward building sustainable communities. "We were approached by Heifer International ... to see if we would consider the possibilities of accepting a gift of land and a building just south of town ... Heifer's interests, I think, were to provide a gift to the local community, to an organization whose values matched up with theirs," said Will Jones, vice president of...
January 21, 2009
Alternative farmer advocates eating locally
Fortunately for the crowd gathered downtown on Tuesday night at The Old Goshen Theater, the event was legal. A lecture by Joel Salatin, owner of Polyface Farm in Swoope, Va. and author of "Everything I Want To Do Is Illegal," promoted his sustainable farm and encouraged the Goshen community to know where their food comes from by eating locally. Salatin's farm uses alternative farming methods that focus on diversity and sustainability. For example, the cows on his farm eat from a "salad bar" of grasses in a pasture. When they are moved to a different location, chickens are put in...
January 14, 2009
Physical Plant cleaning products are going green
The Physical Plant is in the process of converting to cleaning products that are “green seal certified,” or products approved and determined sustainable and biodegradable by national standards. This is one of many steps President Jim Brenneman is encouraging, aiding in the goal of making Goshen College a green campus. Jennifer Stutzman, the custodial supervisor for Goshen College is thrilled about the upcoming changes. According to Stutzman, the green products will not only be safer for staff and the environment, but are also more efficient and ultimately less expensive. “This is huge for us,” said Stutzman. “We have done a...
January 13, 2009
Salatin highlights sustainable food in Goshen lecture
A rebel is coming to Goshen. Joel Salatin is an alternative farmer attempting to create a completely sustainable farm. Salatin also finds time to author several books about his intense operation and lectures around the country. His most recent novel, "Everything I Want to Do Is Illegal: War Stories from the Local Food Front," describes his ongoing struggle with the United States Department of Agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration who want his farm closed. The Community Sustainability Association and Maple City Market are hosting an evening with Salatin on Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. at the Old Goshen...