Students in Action

When we think about the future, most of see ourselves with jobs, a house and maybe even a family. But what many of us don’t envision is a worldwide crisis where Glacier National Park will have no glaciers left and 15-37% of plant and animal species could be wiped out.

Thankfully there are some people who are aware of what global warming and pollution can do. Among them is Action Conservation, an organization that was created when Environment Canada and the Earthvalues Institute (a non-profit charity specializing in environmental education) partnered up.

Action Conservation is an organization that is working to effectively reduce energy use, conserve water, and minimize waste production.

This organization is based in Dawson College and is run by Cindy Elliott, the Project Coordinator.

Action Conservation has many objectives they are hoping to obtain this year.

“One of the goals this year is to record 2008 environmental actions taken by college students, staff and teachers,” said Elliott.

According to the Action Conservation website Dawson used 40 metric tons of paper in 2005 and 138 metric tons of wood. That is the equivalent of 1,000 trees!

To stop this, Brian McFarlane, in the print shop, negotiated a price for 100% post-consumer paper.

“Our goal was to reduce paper consumption by 450,000 sheets. In actual fact we reduced paper use by 1.4 million sheets,” said Elliot.

To continue these positive changes and to raise awareness of environmental problems among the school Action Conservation plans many activities and campaigns.

“In February of 2007 we implemented a recycling campaign blitz to educate the Dawson community on the proper methods of recycling within the college,” Elliot said.

Action Conservation also partnered up with the Interior design students to create an eco corner right across from the information desk on the second floor.

“This is the place to bring your used eyeglasses, ink cartridges, batteries and cell phones for recycling, reuse or rebuilding,” Elliott said.

Action Conservation has created an environmental policy for Dawson College.

“Ian Mackenzie, from the English Department worked on this policy with us. Our goal was to have this completed by the end of March 2008,” Elliott said.

Just as there are many things to be changed at school there are many environmentally friendly things that can be done at home.

“You can turn down thermostats at night and when the home is unoccupied, take short showers (less than 10 minutes) and use warm or cold water washes for clothes.”