What's New
Impacts of the Price of gas on BCC
The EAC prepared a draft summary of the impacts to students and employees of $4+ per gallon gasoline. Bottom line - there will be impacts but also opportunities. Read the summary here.
Take Our Transportation Survey
In order to obtain data for a BCC Carbon Audit we are conducting a survey to get a handle on commuting to the BCC campus. In addition, this data will be used to explore transportation alternatives and address issues such as the proposed toll on the 520 and I-90 bridges. Results of the survey will be posted to the web site in the future. (Update: The survey is done - thanks to the over 800 participants! Results will be posted when they become available.)
President's Climate Commitment
In 2007 President Jean Floten signed the American Colleges and University President's Climate Commitment, which pledges to strive for carbon neutrality (BCC press release). The committee is currently working with the campus to implement the Commitment, and plan to begin the process by conducting a carbon/energy audit. In addition, the college has pledged to start by (1) establishing a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard, and (2) adopting an energy-efficient purchasing policy requiring the purchase of energy star certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist. More information will be posted soon, but see the American Colleges and University President's Climate Commitment web site for more details on the agreement.
Reducing plastic waste at BCC
The committee is currently discussing eliminating the use of plastic bags and sale of water bottles on campus. For resources on this issue, see the committee's Plastic Container Reduction page.
Update: Great news - the BCC Bookstore will be eliminating plastic bags when there stock runs out (probably by summer quarter). In the Fall they will be rolling out a reusable bag program. Stay tuned for promotional details.
Upcoming and Recent Events
Earth Week - April 21-25
The Student Science Association is busy planning Earth Week 2008 - a week-long teach-in on environmental issues and sustainability. Earth Week will occur from April 21-25, 2008, and will focus on environmental health and toxicology. For more information, see the Earth Week web site. Also see the Earth Week History page for a look at what we have done in the past.
Teaching By Example: Building a Sustainable Campus (Profession Development Day Presentation) - February 29
On February 29, the EAC will be be making a presentation to the campus community to introduce ourselves to the campus, highlight many of the sustainable practices already in place, and solicit feedback on what the community would like to see us focus on in the future. Update: Thanks to everyone who participated - we appreciate your joining us and your feedback. PPT presentations from the our panel discussion will be linked here in the near future.
Lecture from Climate Solutions Research Director Patrick Mazza - February 26
The Center for Liberal Arts / BCC Reads! program will be hosting a lecture by Climate Solutions Research Director Patrick Mazza, on February 26, from 11:30-12:30. Patrick will be offering some thoughts on sustainable agriculture and climate change. Stay tuned for more details.
Fair Trade Chocolate for Valentine's Day - February 11-14
From February 11 to the 14th, the Student Science Association will be selling fair trade chocolate from Equal Exchange, and raising awareness about the social and environmental issues associated with chocolate production. More details will be posted as they become available. (Read more on fair trade chocolate at the Global Exchange web site.)
Focus the Nation - January 31
On January 31,BCC will be participating with over 1100 colleges around the country to focus the attention of the nation on solutions to climate change. For more information, visit the Focus the Nation web site. As a part of the event, the EAC is sponsoring a faculty/staff discussion session titled "Let's Talk About Climate".
