LULA BURKE, News Editor—

Do you use a Greenie?

Though the reusable containers are the most easily recognizable of accomplishments by the Green Team, the group has hosted several events this semester to promote conversations about fossil fuel divestment, climate change and environmental justice, and it is working on a “Plastic-Free Pledge” and other sustainability initiatives for upcoming semesters. 

Green Team President Caro Elliott ‘23 explained that there seems to be a general interest in sustainability on campus, but lack of motivation among community members. The group has partnered with the Office of Sustainability to help organize new events. 

“The driving force behind most of our events has been wanting to get students engaged with topics of sustainability and environmental issues. There are a ton of students on campus passionate about these kinds of things and we want to create a space for them to come together to enact positive change on campus,” she said.

Elliot shared that her favorite event thus far has been Sustainability Coffee Hour, held in late October. Students brought their own mugs to discuss different environmental justice issues with Jeremy King, the Director of Sustainability and Campus Improvement. The group has also done waste audits, informational sessions about professions within environmental activism, and documentary screenings. 

“We had a great discussion with students and faculty about environmental justice, fossil fuel divestment, and climate change (to name a few). It was great to hear perspectives from different viewpoints,” she said. 

“Every person there came into the room with their own ideas and knowledge,” she said. “ I thought about some of the topics in ways I had never even considered before because of the questions people were asking.” 

The team is working on a Plastic-Free pledge for next semester, where students will agree to document their plastic usage and try to cut down on their personal waste. The group is also participating in a seminar with Bard College in upstate New York. 

The website for this event explains that it will “engage hundreds of colleges, universities and high schools– from Malaysia to Minnesota, and from Austria to Alabama– in discussions of climate solutions, across the curriculum. Targeting participation by a million students across the planet, the Worldwide Teach-in on Climate and Justice event on March 30, 2022 is perhaps the most ambitious component of the project yet, advancing a three-hour teach-in model that maximizes student involvement through faculty leadership. 

Elliot explained the future plans. “We’re currently working on a Plastic Free Pledge for next semester (and we are pretty confident Adam Weinberg will be involved with this).,” she said. “We are also currently working to plan a Teach-in event in late March. Bard College is sponsoring a global teach in event focused on climate solutions, and Denison will be participating. It will be held during late March in order to build momentum into Earth month.” 

However, Elliot emphasized that students do not have to go out of their way to make meaningful changes in their lives; simple actions like using reusable food containers or making sure to separate trash and recycling can go a long way. 

“I’ve probably said this a million times, but use a greenie! A simple way to cut down plastic use is through using reusable containers like greenies or reusable water bottles. There are also reusable silverware sets students can purchase at Slayter. Separating trash and recycling, limiting energy and resource consumption, and trying to eat more plant based options are some simple things people can do.” 

She also said that interested students should try to attend Green Team meetings, held every Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Barney Davis 110. Signing up for the Green Team email list also notifies students of upcoming sustainability events being held on campus. 

“I’d like to remind the campus that small impacts are still impacts. It’s often difficult to see change occurring or feel like progress is being made, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t moving forward. Solutions to climate change are possible; the future is not hopeless. We are moving forward and that’s exactly what we have to keep doing,” she said.