Laura Matson is here to spead with us about how her organization helps college campuses with their sustainability initiatives. AASHE is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Thier mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. They do this by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research.
AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. Click HERE for more information.
Tracie Huhn is here from Tree Trust to talk about their long-standing efforts to bring the community together while improving our environment. Tree Trust works with urban youth and community members to complete projects such as tree planting, bridge building or landscaping throughout the Twin Cities. The youth learn important job skills and the environment benefits greatly. In their 32 year history, Tree Trust has helped thousands of youth feel better about themselves and improve the environment. A willing combination! Visit their website to learn about their many volunteer opportunities!
Green Info and Tips:
Light Green Tip #294
Get an LED Nightlight
Take advantage of ultra-efficient light emitting diodes (LEDs) to add a little safety and peace of mind to hallways, kid's bedrooms, bathrooms and other spaces.
The technology behind laptop computer screens, LEDs are greener than standard incandescent, and even fluorescent, lightbulbs because they generate almost no waste heat. Most of the electricity used is output as light. LEDs remain cool to the touch, so they don't add excess heat into living spaces, which means less cooling is needed. They last for literally hundreds of thousands of hours, meaning they can go years before they need to be changed, thereby cutting down on landfill waste.
LIGHT GREEN TIP# 873: Get your butts under control. We're, of course, talking about the unfortunate habit of many smokers of puffing a heater down to its aforementioned butt and flicking it about 10 feet away from their present location, all the time thinking... what's the matter, it's just a little paper and cotton, right? WRONG!
There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding cigarette butt litter. The biggest myth being that cigarette filters are biodegradable. In fact, cigarette butts are not biodegradable in the sense that most people think of the word. The acetate or (plastic) filters, yes I said plastic, can take many years to decompose. Smokers may not realize that their actions have such a lasting, negative impact on the environment.
What happens after that butt gets casually flicked onto the street, nature trail, or beach? Typically wind and rain carry the cigarette into the water supply, where the toxic chemicals that the cigarette filter was designed to trap, leak out into aquatic ecosystems, threatening the quality of the water and many aquatic lifeforms. It is estimated that several trillion cigarette butts are littered worldwide every year. That's billions of cigarettes flicked, one at a time, on our sidewalks, beaches, nature trails, gardens, and other public places every single day. In fact, cigarettes are the most littered item in America and the world. That little butt in your hand may seem small, but with several trillion butts littered every year, the toxic chemicals add up!
So, what can you do, you may be wondering, to affect some change. Well, first of all, if you're a smoker who flicks your butt, CUT IT OUT! Find your nearest trash can or ash tray and use it! I know you may feel slighted because we've kicked you out of bars and restaurants, but mass littering is not good way to stick it to the man. If you're a non-smoker, the best way to do something about this big butt problem, is to start with people you know. If someone you know litters their butt, say something to them or point them toward the site: cigarettelitter.org. Tell them if they visit the site, you won't bug them again, but don't let them remain blissfully ignorant! If you really feel uncomfortable addressing the issue head on, go to our website later today to check out the anonymous e-mail page, which sends a friendly notice about the importance of proper cigarette butt disposal. Talking over the problem in person is more effective, but let's face it, we don't like conflict in Minnesota. An anonymous communication is much better than none at all.
Tracie Huhn is here from