Thursday, January 28, 2010

SMU Green Team presents 5-part series on sustainability

The Saint Mary’s Green Team is presenting a five-part series on sustainability.

The next event is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 23, and will be led by faculty Joe Tadie, Joyce Altobelli and Jeff Amundson. They will lead a discussion on how small, daily changes may have the greatest impact on lowering energy consumption.

On Wednesday, March 17, the topic will be “Food.” Mary Gleich, Curt Coshenet, Chris Kendall and Chris McClead will lead a discussion on how food affects and is affected by climate change, including locally grown foods, composting, gardening, farming, Fair Trade, starvation, and other topics.

On Monday, April 23, Tom Marpe, Chris Kendall and Andy Robertson will lead a discussion on “Green Economy” — how climate change impacts the way we do business including green purchasing, marketing strategies, and new careers related to sustainability.

Everyone is invited to join the discussions on how Saint Mary’s is responding to climate change issues — and how you can help. As the university implements its Environmental Management System, faculty, staff and students will reduce their consumption of resources, reduce their carbon footprint, become better stewards of creation, and support environmental justice.

Topics already covered include efforts to reduce solid waste production, and “Sustainability and the Catholic University” — the moral and ethical implications of climate change and sustainability.