McDaniel College is creating a viable plan to become carbon-neutral by 2009. The Green Terra committee, comprised of faculty, staff and students, is finding ways to measure and reduce the college’s carbon footprint.

“Global warming is happening, and it’s everybody’s responsibility. It’s our goal to help work on this problem, even if only locally,” says CIO Esther Iglich, who is leading the committee.

Green Terra was created after President Joan Develin Coley signed in May 2007 the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, a pledge to take a leadership role in addressing global warming.

“Leading society in this effort fits squarely into the education, research and public-service missions of higher education,” Coley said.

The College is currently tallying its carbon output – a process that will include a comprehensive examination of its emissions and waste. Green Terra will survey faculty, staff and students about their carbon usage. It will plan actions to make sustainability, already a key element of the Environmental Policy and Science major, part of the broader curriculum. Finally, it will work with the community to expand environmental efforts.

Green Terra is recommending adoption of a policy whereby new appliances purchased by the College will be Energy Star certified. Additionally, through participation in the nationwide Recyclemania contest, student leaders have placed recycle bins next to garbage cans in the residence halls, and have distributed information door-to-door. Those who purchase reusable Recyclemania mugs receive discounts on hot drinks at the College’s dining facilities.

Through a paper management program begun in January, students are limited to 400 free pieces of paper in the computer labs, after which each page will cost 5 cents. The College is already seeing results: The Hoover Library computer lab cut its paper usage in half since January, and hasn’t needed new toner cartridges since December. Previously, the lab used seven cartridges per month, according to IT Office Manager Donnella Folendorf, who describes it as the difference between night and day.

To become a member of the Green Terra committee, contact Esther Iglich at eiglich@mcdaniel.edu

For more information about the Presidents Climate Commitment, click here. http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/

For information about Recyclemania, click here. http://www.recyclemaniacs.org/Index.htm