Loyola Greyhound

Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Loyola College

Admit it. You're guilty. At some point in your Loyola College career you've chucked your empty soda bottle, that test you got a C- on or your old Greyhound into the garbage instead of recycling it. But there are consequences that you need to consider the next time you're tempted to surpass that big blue recycling bin.

The Time is Now- Loyola's Global Warming Forum 2008- was featured this past Wednesday in McGuire Hall. The lecture was presented by Dr. Lise Van Susteren, Eastern Regional Director for The Climate Project.

"We never intended this and we are not bad people," said Van Susteren. "But America is 5 percent of the world's population and we're causing 25 percent of the world's greenhouse gases. When the rest of the world finds out who is behind this, then this becomes a national security issue. Military officers have resigned saying that global warming is a bigger threat to our national security than terrorism."

Van Susteren also said that other nations see America's astronomical waste rates as an act of aggression.

The lecture used "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's groundbreaking documentary, as its basis. Van Susteren used charts to show the effects of global warming. The presentation also provided personal pictures and anecdotes. The lecture also focused on how global warming will directly affect Maryland. Dorchester County in Maryland would be virtually gone if the ocean rose just a mere meter. Global warming is also an issue for Baltimore. The Inner Harbor could be under water by mid-century if something isn't done.

The event was preceded by an environmental fair with representatives from organizations such as the Chesapeake Climate, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Environment Maryland, the Maryland League of Conservation Voters, the Maryland Sierra Club and the Loyola College Sustainability Committee. A question and answer panel after the event featured local professors, including Loyola's own Dr. Michael O'Neal.

So what can we at Loyola do to deter this global crisis? Mary Yates of the Loyola Recycling Program says that the Climate Forum was essential to educating students about this issue.

"As an institution dedicated to shaping tomorrow's leaders we have a responsibility to be proactive in our efforts to understand and combat anthropogenic climate change and global warming," said Yates. "From just doing little everyday things to getting involved with activities, there are many opportunities for students to make a true impact here on campus. The Climate Forum was exceptionally effective in that it provided education as well as resources and opportunities for our community to make a real difference in the fight against global warming."

Van Susteren urged the audience to go to www.carbonfootprint.com to determine our daily carbon emissions. She also suggested voting for candidates that we believe will address our environmental concerns.

So walk to the FAC. Throw your old Stoko's box, minus any pizza remnants, in the recycling bin. Turn off the lights before you head to class.

To find out more visit loyola.edu/recycling and loyola.edu/climate.

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