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The Daily OrangeAl Gore inspires student; sparks SU green dorm program
By Sarah DiGiulio
Posted: 9/27/07, 11:37 PM EST Section: News
Twice as many Category 4 and 5 hurricanes have struck land in the last five years. The flow of melting ice from the Greenland glaciers has doubled in the last 10 years. Global sea levels are predicted to rise 20 percent. All of the ice in the Arctic Ocean could melt in the summers by 2005.
After hearing former Vice President Al Gore talk about the threat of global warming last fall, junior Neville Williams decided something needed to be done.
"I wanted to know what Syracuse could do," Williams, a international relations major, said.
So he challenged Syracuse University. And that challenge starts Monday.
Williams united several student organizations and administrative offices across SU to sponsor the Saving Juice in the 'Cuse challenge. For two months, the residence halls are competing to see which hall can most effectively reduce its energy consumption as well as increase its recycling output, Williams said.
The winning hall will receive a trophy and have a tree planted in front of their hall. Williams added there would be another prize to be named later.
"If you can convince students that it's not too difficult to live sustainably, that's my goal," Williams said. "My biggest concern is making sure it's a program that engages students. I'm trying to stir up something."
There are daily opportunities to save energy, whether it involves turning off a computer when leaving for more than one hour or using energy-efficient light bulbs, Williams said.
A compact fluorescent light bulb uses 75 less energy than a standard bulb, according to the Energy Star Web site.
"The world is full of limited resources. If we don't look at ways to maintain those, we take away from future generations," said George Athanas, an assistant director of the Office of Residence Life and coordinator of the Civic Engagement Committee (CEC). Athanas' office is sponsoring Saving Juice in the 'Cuse as well as the "Be Orange, Think Green" initiative.
After hearing former Vice President Al Gore talk about the threat of global warming last fall, junior Neville Williams decided something needed to be done.
"I wanted to know what Syracuse could do," Williams, a international relations major, said.
So he challenged Syracuse University. And that challenge starts Monday.
Williams united several student organizations and administrative offices across SU to sponsor the Saving Juice in the 'Cuse challenge. For two months, the residence halls are competing to see which hall can most effectively reduce its energy consumption as well as increase its recycling output, Williams said.
The winning hall will receive a trophy and have a tree planted in front of their hall. Williams added there would be another prize to be named later.
"If you can convince students that it's not too difficult to live sustainably, that's my goal," Williams said. "My biggest concern is making sure it's a program that engages students. I'm trying to stir up something."
There are daily opportunities to save energy, whether it involves turning off a computer when leaving for more than one hour or using energy-efficient light bulbs, Williams said.
A compact fluorescent light bulb uses 75 less energy than a standard bulb, according to the Energy Star Web site.
"The world is full of limited resources. If we don't look at ways to maintain those, we take away from future generations," said George Athanas, an assistant director of the Office of Residence Life and coordinator of the Civic Engagement Committee (CEC). Athanas' office is sponsoring Saving Juice in the 'Cuse as well as the "Be Orange, Think Green" initiative.
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