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This page contains a single entry by Tim O'Keeffe published on July 17, 2009 9:53 AM.

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Article puts spotlight on Colgate's green efforts

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Colgate's green efforts were the focus of a "spotlight" article by the Environmental News Network website.

The story highlights the university's past efforts to reduce its environmental impact and examines its newest initiatives, spearheaded by the Environmental Council and new sustainability coordinator, John Pumilio.

"We are striving to be a model for sustainability," Pumilio says.

In the article, Pumilio identified four key areas that frame the university's approach:

Creating a culture in which "all Colgate employees and students accept responsibility for advancing sustainability."

Sustainability in practice, which literally will translate ideas into procedure on campus.

Sustainability in the curriculum, which will bring the science and practice of sustainability into the classroom and activities.

Fostering community partnerships, which describes the goal to build local and regional relationships that will help Colgate become part of a larger environmental community, allow increased field experience for students, and support local business that practice green policies.

Pumilio also recently announced two initiatives for this fall that are intended to foster greater involvement on campus.

"Eco-Teams," composed of two to five members from around campus, will work with him to develop training and educational materials to assist campus community members in their pursuit to be more sustainable.

Eco-Teams will work with residential advisors, event coordinators, program and office assistants, students, and employees who wish to "green" their Colgate life.

In the Colgate's Greenest Videos program, students and employees will have the opportunity to create and judge sustainability videos that are meant to be fun, inspirational, and educational.

Two students -- Jackie Gerson '11 and Christi Kana '11 -- are leading this project. A sample video is available for those looking for inspiration, and contest rules will be available shortly on the sustainability website.

1 Comments

It is great to see Colgate becoming a leader in the green revolution. I have been working with the environment via conservation in Kenya for 3 years and I have seen the devastating effects of climate change, such as drought, floods and deforestation. It is amazing how our efforts today can help save the planet tomorrow.

I would love to see some Colgate students come to Kenya and get a greater understanding of the effects of climate change on third world people. Imagine a flood, but only you have no support or no lifeline to save you, this is the reality in the third world. Climate change is literally killing people. I work with a group of Masai (see video) in southern Kenya and I watch them struggle as their once beautiful land is now a desert. Illegal logging is the culprit here, but the effects are less rain and changing weather patters which are causing continued suffering among these vulnerable people.

So keep up the good work going green at Colgate and I hope to see Colgate at the forefront of combating global warming. Our program is called "Wealth Creation through Conservation" because we understand that you must develop the people in Africa in sustainable ways in order to mitigate against climate change. They are the ones on the ground and what they do will ultimately effect us in America.

I hope to see some Colgate students, staff or researchers in Kenya. There are great opportunities ranging from tree planting to endangered species. Keep up the good work.
GO GATE'

Stacy Harris '88
Program Manager
Africa Conservation Trust
Nairobi, Kenya
www.africaconservationtrust.org


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