Power of information

            Of the many obstacles in the way of creating a more environmentally sustainable campus, none has as great an impact and is more widespread than laziness.  The list of wasted resources due to lethargy and lack of interest is enormous.  People leave electronics on when they are not using them.  Food is half eaten and then discarded in the trash amongst other reusable products that should not end up in a landfill.  Most people, including myself, don’t have the time, energy, awareness, or concern to make the more green choices and actions.  Unfortunately, one of the most difficult things in life is to change people’s behavior.

            Simple messages informing students how to sustainably go about their life without making many changes could have a huge impact on the “greenness” of our campus.  For example, at the oxy store, the advantages of green products should be prominently displayed.  Directions informing people how to print double sided papers should be posted by both computers and printers.  In parking lots, signs can be displayed that inform drivers of how much gas is expended every time they start their cars.  These are just a few examples of ways to inform the student body of ways they can make a difference without going out of their way too much to do so.  And hopefully, over the course of time, people will adopt these habits on their own.

            Not only should people be more aware of facts about green habits, but people need to know about ways the can get more deeply involved in the sustainable effort on campus.  The most effective way to do this would be through email.  For example, I don’t really know how to go about volunteering for the UEPI garden or any other campus efforts to green the school.  The various organizations that support this movement could send out emails informing students of new events and activities that are fun ways to help the environment.  And these emails don’t just have to go to UEP majors, but to the whole student body either through the Oxy Digest or as a mass email.  Plus, who doesn’t like to get email?

            While there has been an effort to do all of these things, I am skeptical as to how effectively this strategy is being done.  Most of my friends haven’t even heard of any of UEPI’s efforts to green the campus.  There are simple shock-value statistics that if they were wider known, could help change behavior.  I think if we collectively spread information a little more, it can start to make a real difference for the college.