2% Solution

When:Wednesday, January 30, 8:00-10:00 pm
Where: The Student Union Ballroom

The concluding event of the Focus the Nation day at Florida Gulf Coast University was to be a live, interactive webcast called the 2% Solution. The webcast included Stanford University climate scientist Stephen Schneider, sustainability expert Hunter Lovins, green jobs pioneer Van Jones, and youth climate leaders for a discussion of global warming solutions.

To hold global warming to the low end of 3-4 degrees F will require cuts in global warming pollution in the developed countries by more than 80% below current levels by 2050. Put another way, we need to cut roughly 2% a year for the next forty years. The final webcast of the evening revolved around the question: can we as a nation get on to this path, and cut global warming pollution 2% a year for the next decade? If so, what would it take?

Because we could not access the webcast, we held our own conversation to generate potential solutions for the FGCU campus. This is a summary of that discussion.

Event Summary

Due to the inaccessibility of the 2% web video, the students conducted a discussion of solutions, led by Christine Andrews and Win Everham.

Role of the University

• To influence the community around
• To provide leadership on key issues such as climate change

Yellow Bike Program

• Attempted at FGCU, led by the Student Government
• Did not work because students destroyed the bikes 
• Suggestion to reach out to Eckerd College, which has a successful program, to find out what hurdles they faced and how they overcame them

Alternative Transportation on campus

• Need for more bike lanes, and for safety of bicyclists
• Biodiesel for campus transportation
• Lower speed limits on campus (that were enforced)
• Use of solar cars on campus, with rechargeable platforms that provide shade

Study of Consumption of Resources and Waste produced

• Emphasize the use of canvas bags for shopping
• Mention of the video "The Story of Stuff"
• Desire for a more comprehensive recycling program, with education about the program
  o   Provide clear bags for trash with dorm number on each bag
  o   Fine students who put recyclables in the trash
  o   Recycling competition vs. other universities, dorms, etc.
  o   Create campus currency--provide students with currency for recycling
• Desire for gardens and composting
• Dorm lights--are always left on (students do not pay for electricity)
  o   Create competition between dorms on which one uses least electricity
  o   Rebate to students whose dorm comes in under a set use of electricity
  o   Use campus currency system to reward students
  o   Swipe cards to turn the lights on and off 

Discussion about Campus Communication

• Use FGCU Facebook website, along with emails, The Eagle, posters, etc.
• College of Business Marketing Program—to have a student project to work on communication

Curriculum

• To connect all these efforts directly to the curriculum
• This is what makes a difference--when students see interconnections between the curriculum and what is happening on campus
• Get everyone on campus to discuss these things—a true campus culture—coaches, advisors, faculty, staff

For more information, please contact Dr. Jim Wohlpart at wohlpart@fgcu.edu or (239) 590-7181.

 

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Sponsors for this event include: