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Questions &Answers
Walter Simpson is campus energy officer and director of the UB Green Office.
Next Thursday is Earth Day. When and how did it get started?
The founder of Earth Day is former U.S. Sen. Gaylord Nelson, who was
alarmed at the state of the environment during the 1960s and
disappointed that environmental protection was not on the national
political agenda. In 1969, when political activism against the Vietnam
War reached its peak, it occurred to Nelson that that same energy and
tactics could be tapped to create an environmental movement. Earth Day
was born using the model of grassroots peace teach-ins and
demonstrations. When the news media carried his story that the first
Earth Day would be on April 22, 1970, Nelson described the response as
"electric." Dennis Hayes, who later went on to champion solar energy,
was hired as national coordinator and worked out of an office provided
by Common Cause. But Nelson reports that Earth Day really organized
itself. Twenty million people participated in Earth Day events
throughout the country.
It seems that the prominence of Earth Day has faded somewhat over
the years. Do you agree? Is society in general becoming less interested
in the environment?
I agree. While the environmental threats we
face have not faded, Earth Day and active concern about the environment
has. Why? Well, for one thing, the air and water in many parts of the
country are cleaner and environmental destruction is less obvious. Also,
Earth Day has lost its political edge. It started off as a challenge to
government. Another factor is that the consumer culture has had 34 more
years since the original Earth Day to work its persuasive magic. Since
then, we have been subject to tens of millions of commercials telling us
to how to live—to shop, buy, consume and, I hate to say it, be
oblivious. As contradictory as it seems, many people would say they care
about their kids and the planet, yet drive gas-guzzling vehicles or live
in over-sized monster homes. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry when
I saw an SUV with an environmental message on its bumper. Really, I
think we are schizophrenic about the environment. Public opinion polls
tell us that Americans say they are deeply concerned about the
environment, yet how few of us devote even a small amount of time to
activism of any kind? And we are in absolute denial about the greatest
environmental threat of all—global climate change—which is
fueled by our energy waste and near-total dependence on fossil fuels. We
are the world's energy gluttons. I know people mean well, but we need to
get focused and get serious before it is too late. The earth is a
magnificent place. It sustains us in so many ways. It deserves our
respect and protection.
What events are scheduled to mark Earth Day at UB?
There
are at least four excellent events:
The UB Environment and Society Institute is holding its annual Earth Day Colloquium from 10 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. tomorrow in the Atrium and the Screening Room in the Center for the Arts, North Campus (see http://wings .buffalo.edu/esi/esi-index1.html)
The UB Green Office is showing the award-wining documentary "Blue Vinyl," about the environmental and health hazards of vinyl, at 7 p.m. tomorrow in the CFA Screening Room. Diane Christian, UB Distinguished Teaching Professor, will introduce the film, and the filmmaker, Judith Helfand, will be there for discussion. (see http://wings.buffalo. edu/ubgreen/)
The Environmental Task Force is sponsoring an Earth Day lunch to recognize UB Green Partners (see question below) from noon to 1:30 p.m., on Earth Day, April 22, in 210 Student Union, North Campus. For information or to RSVP, call 829-3535 or email ubgreen@facilities.buffalo. edu
The UB Environmental Network has organized a student Earth Day event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 22 in front of the Student Union. There will be displays (wind turbine, solar panel, alternatively fueled vehicles), a rock-climbing wall and music by Five Man Trio, as well as an environmental wellness workshop organized by UB Wellness Services. Call 829-3535 for information.
All of these events are free.
What are some simple things we as
individuals—especially those of us with young children—can do
to celebrate Earth Day?
The UB Web site (http://wings.buffalo.
edu/ubgreen/) now has a community environmental calendar
that features details of regional Earth Day events. I would recommend a
walk in the woods, followed by a good family discussion about what
commitments each family member is going to make to reduce his or her
environmental impact and better protect our beautiful planet.
While UB for many years has been one of the leading "green"
universities in the country, Gov. Pataki's recent Executive Order 111
has been the driving force behind many environmental projects at the
university. What is Executive Order
111? What are some of the other projects that were prompted by this
order?
Executive Order 111 was signed by Gov. Pataki on June 10,
2001. It's called "Green and Clean State Buildings and Vehicles," and it
calls on all New York State agencies and SUNY campuses to enhance
energy-conservation efforts in existing buildings, build new
energy-efficient green buildings, buy environmentally friendly green
power, purchase only energy-efficient equipment and increase the size of
alternatively fueled vehicle fleets. UB has embraced this executive
order and has demonstrated statewide leadership. For example, we are a
few months away from embarking on a $10 million energy-conservation
project for South Campus existing buildings. UB has the first certified
green building in Western New York—the community center of
Creekside Village apartments—and is finishing its own
high-performance building guidelines to ensure future UB construction is
as environmentally responsible as possible. In 2003, we became the
state's largest purchaser of wind power, a title we still hold. Thanks
to Procurement Services, all new computers and office equipment is
Energy Star compliant. And Facilities is in the process of buying 20 new
compressed natural gas-powered vehicles. The UB Green Web site has a
complete report of our Executive Order 111 activities.
I understand the Environmental Task Force is kicking off a new
campaign called Green Partners. What is it?
Green Partners is a
program of UB's Environmental Task Force (ETF). Its goal is to reduce
UB's "environmental footprint" by getting more university offices,
departments and organizations involved in green campus activities. ETF
members have been reaching out to different campus units over the past
six weeks and we hope to be able to recognize and thank 30 Green
Partners at our Earth Day lunch. And that will be just the start. We
expect the program to grow over the summer and fall. There always is
room for improvement. We all have a role to play in reducing UB's
environmental impact.
What question do you wish I had asked, and how would you have
answered it?
You forgot to ask me if my wife, Nan, and I are
raising our kids to be defenders of the environment? I can remember my
son running around our backyard one spring day with an earthworm in his
hand. When he shouted out "this earthworm is my cousin," I knew he was
on the right track. My daughter Skye, at 13, loves writing funny
political commentaries. Both are life-long vegetarians and quite
committed to it. They know that eating lower on the food chain is
compassionate and helps the environment. I think they have a good
foundation for environmental activism. Time will tell.