Albion celebrates 43rd Earth Day

Nothing is as rewarding as helping the Earth and reducing your carbon footprint.

Earth Day was celebrated nationally on April 22.  Multiple student organizations on Albion’s campus took part in the Earth Day awareness and celebration.  Individual students and staff members expressed their love of going green on behalf of the day.

“Earth Day is great,” said Leah Saurman, Kentwood junior. “It is a day to celebrate.”

The detrimental effect of not respecting the health of the Earth was stressed and made clear by Albion’s organizations and professors.

“Once carbon dioxide is released, its greenhouse impact on the climate persists for centuries,” said Douglas White, professor of biology. “Traveling fast or slow, the environmental destination will be the same.”

However, despite the damage that has already been done to the Earth, going green can help stop the vicious cycle.

“By living a greener life, a person can cut their carbon dioxide emissions, water waste, food waste, etcetera in a large way,” said Candace Myers, Fraser sophomore.

Not only is going green beneficial for the environment in which we live, but it is not a huge burden, either.

“People should go green because it is pretty simple,” Myers said.

Students and citizens alike can reduce their carbon footprints in a variety of nearly-effortless ways.

“Lifestyle changes include things like shorter showers, recycling, turning off unused electronics, lowering thermostat and experimenting with vegetarian meals,” White said.

There are additional relatively simple ways in which people can individually work towards bettering the Earth.

“I suggest less driving, ride a bike around town and campus — and when you have to drive, try to make them worthwhile — and carpool,” Myers said. “Another easy way to be ‘green’ is to reuse and recycle.”

There are also ways students can become more actively involved in the upkeep of the planet.

“Students can press the college to move ahead with plans for geothermal energy and to drop investments in coal companies,” White said. “They can join students from across the nation in protesting the Keystone XL pipeline, which will move carbon from Canadian tar sands into the atmosphere.”

Albion students have always been involved in Earth Day since its commencement in 1970, when students worked to clean the community with some of Albion’s citizens.

Albion continues to maintain a growing interest in the going green movement and in Earth Day, as next school year’s theme is sustainability. Everyone plays a part in keeping the Earth healthy and anyone can help to keep this planet “green.”

“It only takes a little to make an impact,” Myers said.

Photo courtesy of Albion College

About Holly Pyper 16 Articles
Holly is a sophomore from Rochester Hills, MI. She is a Business and Organizations and Spanish double major and a Communications minor. She is a yoga enthusiast and loves all things Albion.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*