2008 Woodie Awards
Getting focused on the nation
Kim O'Brien
Issue date: 2/7/08 Section: News
Did you know that over 40 percent of bottled water in the U.S. is sourced from municipal tap water? Or that meeting the America demand for bottled waters required more than 17 million barrels of oil - enough fuel for more than 1 million cars - last year?
The wastefulness of the bottled water industry was just one of several factors addressed by EnAcT during last week's "Focus the Nation" event. Held on January 31, Focus the Nation is a national teach-in with the goal to engage millions of students, faculty, staff and visitors at educational institutions around the USA. Thousands of universities, including Muhlenberg, held discussions focused on Global Warming solutions.
Muhlenberg did its part as well. The Greening Committee, EnAcT, and the Center for Ethics hosted a webcast viewing of The 2% Solution in Trumbower on Wednesday night. The webcast discussed the goal of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050 (a 2% cut each year by 2050). Unfortunately, the broadcast was interrupted by technical difficulties at many universities - including Muhlenberg. Over 10,000 nationwide screenings were logged onto the cast, interfering with webcast viewings at many institutions.
"While we did not all get to watch the web cast together, it's encouraging that the reason was because there were simply too many people trying to participate," explained Jacy Good, '10, student organizer of the event and member of EnAcT and the Greening Committee.
Along with viewing The 2% Solution, students held a discussion Wednesday night with Political Science Professor Dr. Herrick, Physics Professor Dr. Fadem, and the Campus Sustainability Coordinator Cara Owens. On Thursday, Dr. Bradt, Professor of Environmental Science, held a lunch and learn about the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ww.ipcc.ch). The IPCC was award the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2007, and is the largest consensus of scientists on any issue.
Also, EnAcT tabled on Wednesday and Thursday in Seeger's Union, asking students to taste water samples and compare filtered Allentown tap water (taken from the GQ) to Aquafina bottled water. "The vast majority of taste testers could not identify which water was which, proving the absurdity of the bottled water industry," said Good.
On a national level, over one million students participated in Focus the Nation activities, as did a number of high-profile senators, governors, and members of congress. The event even gained support from presidential-nominee hopeful Barack Obama and terminator-turned-governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Students looking for more facts regarding bottled water can visit www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org. Those interested in watching The 2% Solution can access it at www.earthdaytv.net.
The wastefulness of the bottled water industry was just one of several factors addressed by EnAcT during last week's "Focus the Nation" event. Held on January 31, Focus the Nation is a national teach-in with the goal to engage millions of students, faculty, staff and visitors at educational institutions around the USA. Thousands of universities, including Muhlenberg, held discussions focused on Global Warming solutions.
Muhlenberg did its part as well. The Greening Committee, EnAcT, and the Center for Ethics hosted a webcast viewing of The 2% Solution in Trumbower on Wednesday night. The webcast discussed the goal of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by the year 2050 (a 2% cut each year by 2050). Unfortunately, the broadcast was interrupted by technical difficulties at many universities - including Muhlenberg. Over 10,000 nationwide screenings were logged onto the cast, interfering with webcast viewings at many institutions.
"While we did not all get to watch the web cast together, it's encouraging that the reason was because there were simply too many people trying to participate," explained Jacy Good, '10, student organizer of the event and member of EnAcT and the Greening Committee.
Along with viewing The 2% Solution, students held a discussion Wednesday night with Political Science Professor Dr. Herrick, Physics Professor Dr. Fadem, and the Campus Sustainability Coordinator Cara Owens. On Thursday, Dr. Bradt, Professor of Environmental Science, held a lunch and learn about the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (ww.ipcc.ch). The IPCC was award the Nobel Peace Prize in December 2007, and is the largest consensus of scientists on any issue.
Also, EnAcT tabled on Wednesday and Thursday in Seeger's Union, asking students to taste water samples and compare filtered Allentown tap water (taken from the GQ) to Aquafina bottled water. "The vast majority of taste testers could not identify which water was which, proving the absurdity of the bottled water industry," said Good.
On a national level, over one million students participated in Focus the Nation activities, as did a number of high-profile senators, governors, and members of congress. The event even gained support from presidential-nominee hopeful Barack Obama and terminator-turned-governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Students looking for more facts regarding bottled water can visit www.thinkoutsidethebottle.org. Those interested in watching The 2% Solution can access it at www.earthdaytv.net.