Could Mason be America's Greenest Campus?

George Mason University is now registered as a participant in America's Greenest Campus contest which means that we have the opportunity to win up to $20,000 for our sustainability efforts. Rather than go into detail I'll just give you the website and a brief description from it:

http://climateculture.com/americas_greenest_campus

"America's Greenest Campus is the first nationwide contest among colleges to reduce the carbon footprints of their students, faculty, alumni and staff. Think your school is green? Well, now it's time to walk the walk! You have until Earth Day, April 22, to get as many people affiliated with your school to reduce their carbon footprints as much as they can! We'll keep track of the number of people participating on your campus and how much they reduce in the leaderboard below. We'll announce the two winners – the school with the most participants and the school with the most carbon reductions per participant – on Earth Day."

Considering the size of Mason (and our commitment to sustainability) we definitely have a real shot at winning this. Please go to the website and register today. Then, after registering, encourage all your friends and colleagues to do so as well; we need as many Mason people as possible (at least 300) participating. And don't forget to keep track of your carbon cutting actions, everything you do will earn us points! As of this post we have 118 people registered, double that of any other school, and we are in third place overall! Way to go Mason!

http://climateculture.com/americas_greenest_campus

Let me know if you have any questions. And please forward this message far and wide.

Thanks!

-Colin

P.S. Students: don't forget to register for Power Shift, pretty much the greatest thing ever!

On behalf of Teddy Wilkinson: Some holiday reading...

If Mason is truly interested in shifting towards sustainability, we must also works towards shifting our paradigm of thinking; We need to rethink what it means to be human beings and our role in the ecosystem. Without this corresponding fundamental change in attitude, many environmental efforts are superficial and temporary. In order to get serious about saving our planet, read this article by Wendell Berry:


http://harpers.org/archive/2008/05/0082022

Inspiration

Below is a video about Colin Carlson, a 12 year old boy from Connecticut that was featured recently on NBC Nightly News regarding his environmental endeavors, specifically his work fighting the climate crisis. I am sharing this story because I helped mentor him and I like to see him recognized for his efforts. Additionally, considering all he has already done in his life, I think he sets an awesome example for all of us. Please share this with as many people as possible.

-Colin

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Grist's Eco-villian of 2008

Don Blankenship, CEO of (really evil coal company) Massey Energy has been nominated for Grist's Eco-villian of 2008 and you should totally vote for him.

http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/12/18/134750/22?source=daily

Here is what Grist has to say about him:

In addition to his customary pursuits -- violating mine safety laws, bullying politicians and regulators, bribing state Supreme Court judges, blowing the tops off mountains -- this spring the CEO of coal giant Massey Energy was caught on tape threatening to shoot a reporter (like, with a gun). Perhaps to distract attention from that savvy PR move, he was caught on tape in November saying climate change isn't real, "greeniacs" are "crazies," mass transit will destroy capitalism, and his media critics are "communists" and "atheists." Gives mustaches a bad name.

As if we didn't have enough bad news

This sucks. There is no other way to put it.

TOP STORY

The Needle and the Damage Done
Images of oil addiction in Canada's tar sands

Pop quiz: After Saudi Arabia, which country has the most proven oil reserves? Wrong. Not only wrong, but wrong part of the world. Unless you guessed Canada -- in which case, congratulations! Big old Canada is screwing up the planet big time with a big drilling operation. Forest Ethics head Todd Paglia describes a recent visit, and explains how to fight back.

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new in Grist: The Needle and the Damage Done



-Colin