by Kas

Universities nation-wide welcome students to their campuses for the start of a new academic year.  With “sustainability” on the lips of many university administrators and faculty, it comes as no surprise that new student orientations and university move-in programs have “gone green.” 

Some specific examples of “green” activities at The George Washington University include the following:

1) New environmental health master’s students were provided a tour of the Green Roof on campus. 
2) The annual Green Move-In program is encouraging students to think about reusable packaging, conservation of resources, and reduce carbon footprints through a friendly competition between residence halls.
3) Students moving into the 125 suites in the new Square 80 residence hall will be welcomed with FilterForGood Nalgene Bottles, Brita brand water filters, and Filter Fellows (resident students) promoting the GW Bottle FREE-DOrM program.

What else is going on at GWU or other universities in the Washington, DC area?  What about at institutions of academic learning across the country?  And, what does this mean for human health and the environment?

How many fewer pounds of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases will be generated this year versus last?  How many fewer plastic bottles will be used?  How many students will be forever turned onto environmental stewardship?

This sounds like it could be a dissertation proposal: It is hypothesized that in the past five years there has been a statistically-significant difference in the number of students regularly practicing college ‘move-in” stewardship activities and this difference correlates with a reduction in the release of toxic and hazardous substances to the environment.

Will it make a difference?

 

Kas is an industrial hygienist studying public health in the DC metro area.