Green Energy: Spreading the Word

1. Green Energy: Spreading the Word Caroline Fabacher, Emily Grace, Lucy King & Sean McKenna URCAS 2006

2. What is Green Energy? • “Green Power is a term used to describe electricity produced by sources that are less harmful to the environment than fossil fuels. While there is no strict definition of Green Power, generally renewable sources such as solar, wind power, geothermal, biomass, and small hydroelectric are considered Green Power sources.” www.pplweb.com/glossary.htm • “Electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources is often referred to as “green power.”http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&q=http://envirocitizen.inknoise.com/cleanenergy/2005/02/14/0001 • “Power generated from environmentally friendly sources or in ways that do not degrade the environment (eg, wind, solar).” http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=1&oi=define&q=http://www.ec.gc.ca/international/refs/gloss_e.htm

3. Benefits of Green Energy • Avoiding air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions • Meeting organizational environmental objectives • Providing a hedge against future electricity price instability • Demonstrating civic leadership • Generating positive publicity and enhancing public image • Generating customer, investor, or stakeholder loyalty, and employee pride • Stimulating local economies • Stimulating long-term cost reductions for renewable energy • Increasing domestic security through a more diverse fuel mix • Reducing the vulnerability of our nation’s energy infrastructure http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/whatis/benefits.htm

4. Getting the Word Out on Campus • Greek life mandatory speakers • Flyers around campus • Sou’wester blurbs • Memphis connection

5. Greek Life Speakers • Here at Rhodes, Greek life sponsors and encourages all Greek students to attend a variety of speakers in order to further educate them on different subjects • By recruiting an environmental speaker we could easily help many students on campus became aware of how we can help Rhodes with sustainability and a general awareness of a more Earth-friendly lifestyle.

6. Examples of Speakers National Coordinator of the first Earth Day, Hayes has been at the core of the modern environmental movement since its launch. As a foundation president, attorney, lobbyist, Stanford professor, grassroots organizer, and the youngest director of a national laboratory in the nation's history, he has spent much of his life fighting for a healthier world. Selected by Time magazine as one of its 100 "Heroes for the Planet," Denis Hayes has been awarded the highest awards offered by the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Natural Resources Council of America, American Solar Energy Society, and the Humane Society of the United States. He speaks about the major environmental challenges and opportunities confronting us and about the roles we can all play in ensuring that our kids will have a sustainable future. Christine Ervin's career as an environmental leader spans executive positions in both national and state government as well as in the nonprofit sector. As the President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council, she led its growth from 200 members and three staff in 1999 to become a highly influential coalition of nearly 5,000 companies and organizations, 50 staff, and 70 local chapters and affiliates. Over her five-year tenure, the Council launched the LEED™ green building rating system - the nation's de facto voluntary green building standard - and the Greenbuild international conference and expo. http://www.ecospeakers.com/

7. Flyers Around Campus • A good way to target Rhodes students is to put flyers up around campus. By incorporating important environmental statistics in a humorous way, there is more of a chance of getting the students attention.

8. The average college student produces 640 pounds of solid waste each year, including 500 disposable cups and 320 pounds of paper. But hey, everyone knows Rhodes students are WAY above average.

9. Sou’wester Blurb • “…purchasing two blocks of green power per month for one year is the environmental equivalent of recycling 15,322 aluminum cans, 1,766 pounds of newspaper or planting an acre of trees.” -The Commercial Appeal *A blurb like this would appear once a month in a Sou’wester issue in order to help educate Rhodes students, along with student write-ups, fun facts and editorials.

10. Memphis Connection • Every year, Rhodes students go on a field trip in order to learn more about the City of Memphis. • We purpose an outing that takes place every year promoting Earth awareness and educating sustainability on Rhodes Campus.

11. Bibliography