The campus-wide NRG Games, running throughout the month of February, encourage each residence hall to compete to conserve the most energy. Significant energy reductions have been witnessed during this time period, illustrating that students can do their part to help the environment simply by turning off lights, taking shorter showers, or lowering the heat.

For more energy-saving tips, including things you can do in your dorm, see the Conserving Energy page in our What You Can Do section. You can monitor the current electrical use of your dorm, or any other dorm, by clicking here.

Congratulations to the Winners of NRG Games 2009!

• Keyes took the Upper/Newton Campus division with an 8.63% reduction in energy use!
• 90 St. Thomas More Rd. finished victorious on Lower Campus with a 9.77% reduction!
• Ignacio beat out Rubenstein with a reduction of 4.72%!

Keyes and 90 St. Thomas More Rd. will receive a private BBQ in their honor, sponsored by UGBC and Facilities Management. Ignacio will also be rewarded with an ice cream party.

Overall, Boston College residence halls saved 44,139 killowatt hours of energy. This is the same as:

• Saving 63,118 lbs of carbon dioxide from being released into our atmosphere
• Taking 67 cars off of the road for one month
• Planting 9 acres of forest, which absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen

Results:

*Positive numbers represent the percent reduction in energy use. Rubenstein and Ignacio run on electricity only.

February 15-20: BCisGreen Week

The Undergraduate Government of Boston College (UGBC) presented the first-ever annual "BCisGreen Week" to celebrate the commitment to sustainability. The week was a highly collaborative effort, with events sponsored by student groups, professors, administrators, and campus entities such as the bookstore, O'Neill Library, and Residential Life.

Go to UGBC's UGBC's Tumblr blog, "BC Green Month," for more information. For UGBC's green commitment and full schedule, check out the Green Week Summary. Also, read the Heights article: "UGBC Launches GreenWeek."

The following is a description of the week's events and initiatives:

Sunday, February 15: BC Men's Basketball vs. Duke

Green Week was kicked off to a great start during the exciting BC Men's basketball game vs. Duke, which BC came back to win. Special "green" Superfan t-shirts were given out, and there were green public service announcements, commercials, and sponsors.

Monday, February 16: "Barack Obama's Energy and Environmental Policy"

Moderated by Kate Galbraith, a renewable energy writer for the New York Times, the panelists presented their own thoughts and information about President Obama's commitment to building green policies, and finished by answering questions from the audience. The panel shed light on a wide range of important topics surrounding our current environmental, political, and economic situation.

Panelists:

• Margarita Sapozhnikov and Bruce Tsuchida, Boston College Professors. The two professors presented Barack Obama's New Energy for America Plan and discussed topics including the weatherizing of homes and the potential changes to our electric distribution. The professors also detailed important science aspects, especially in regards to CO2.
• Charlie Lord, Esq., Boston College Professor. Speaking from his extensive experience in the field, Professor Lord outlined our country's current options in terms of environmental law and policy. He proposed that the changes made by the Obama adminstration will most likely be a mix of presidential overhauls and congressional amendments.
• Herman Karl, Ph.D., U.S. Geological Survey. With a background in the collaborative process among scientists, Dr. Karl detailed his adapted model of conflict uncertainty communication that can be used successfully in environmental policy and natural resource management decisions.
• Charles Derber, Ph.D., Boston College Professor. A writer who studies the "big picture" of American culture and global capitalism, Derber provided compelling insight into the difficulties of a "short-term" society coming to grips with the very long-term issue of environmental degradation.

Tuesday, February 17: Town Hall Forum on Recycling

The forum featured a representative from Save That Stuff, BC's recycling services provider, addressing best practices, innovative ideas and common recycling misconceptions. Facilities Management and Dining staff were also present to take questions, comments and suggestions. Read the article in The Heights.

Wednesday, February 18: Net Impact Presentation by MBA Students

Sponsored by Facilities Management and the Net Impact MBA club, this presentation provided an overview of other college campuses that have invested in renewable technologies, including geothermal and solar power. The Net Impact team then presented its Biodiesel/Electric Hybrid Bus Feasability Study, defining the technology involved and discussing the features, costs, savings, and potential impact on carbon emissions that a hybrid bus fleet would bring.

Wednesday, February 18: Green Week Keynote Speaker: Jerry Greenfield of Ben & Jerry's

Bringing a warm brand of humor and a refreshing business philosophy, Jerry Greenfield spoke to a packed audience in Devlin 008, telling the entertaining history of Ben & Jerry's ice cream from its beginnings in Burlington, Vermont. Greenfield explained how he and his business partner Ben Cohen took their company from a two-man operation out of an old gas station to a $300 million empire, all while maintaining the "non-conventional" corporate goals of social responsibility and creative management. Their belief that a company benefits from both profitable and social goals manifested itself in an unprecedented 7.5% pre-tax profit donation to non-profit organizations through the Ben & Jerry's Foundation. Learn about the values and environmental actions of this dessert lover's favorite.

Wednesday, February 18: Movie Event – The Garden

An Academy Award Nominee for Best Documentary Feature, The Garden follows the story of the largest urban community garden in the United States and the people who fought tirelessly to create it and keep it safe. Sponsored by Real Food BC, the creators of our very own BC Community Garden, the film portrays not only the beauty of a community building around locally grown food, but also the many threats that the sustainable operation faces. Click here to view the trailer and learn more about the movie.

Thursday, February 19: Green Career Panel

The Green Career Conference served as an opportunity for all majors to explore the possibilities of working in the green career sector. The panelists offered information on a wide variety of environmental careers, including policy, non-profits, and the public and private sectors. Time was provided for networking and discussion, and students were able to interact personally with the presenters.

Want more on green careers? Visit JustMeans.com, a socially responsible networking site that includes green jobs and event listings.

Thursday, February 19: UGBC "Green" Pub Series

Adding a new twist on the pub series, this event emphasized reducing waste and reusing drink cups, while providing environmentally friendly snacks. Held in the Walsh Function Room, students socialized, took advantage of the cash bar and were given the opportunity to purchase reusable beer mugs through the BC Bookstore.

Week-long Events:

• BC Dining promoted sustainable food throughout the week, featuring locally grown menu items, discounts on using china instead of disposable containers, and free fountain drinks for students who brought reusable cups during lunch hours.
• Residential Life promoted Green Week by working to appoint "Green Hall Representatives," encouraging students to make the "We Are a Green Room" commitment, and making efforts to decrease waste in the office.
• BC Libraries featured a "green" book display, flat screens with sustainable tips, and how to use the libraries' environmental resources, as well as posters promoting double-sided printing and recycling.
• The BC Bookstore highlighted its "green" products on a display table and offered discounts and promotions.
• Student leaders worked with the Student Programs Office (SPO) and the Bureau of Conferences (BOC) to promote the Green Event Checklist.
• BC Cable aired several environmental movies, including Global Warming: The Signs & the Science, State of the Planet, Global Warming: Rising Storm, Next Industrial Revolution, and The Future of Food.
• UGBC, Facilities Management, SustainBC, EcoPledge and Real Food BC were integral participants in Green Week, promoting varying initiatives at each event.

Want more info? Check out the Green Week Summary.

September 22: Movie Event – Everything's Cool

A special screening of the film, sponsored by EcoPledge, brought viewers at BC the stories of vital global warming messengers such as Bill McKibben (who has spoken previously at BC) and Ross Gelbspan as they seek out ways to convince America that global warming is a real-life disaster. "As much about messaging as it is about the messengers, as much about human nature as it is about humans' impact on nature, Everything's Cool explores what it will take to move America from laggard nation to world leader on global warming. The ultimate challenge is to show urgent this situation really is — and still leave people optimistic and willing to do something. That perhaps is the ultimate challenge to all global warming messengers. Hold on… this is bigger than changing your light bulbs."

To read the read the rest of this synopsis, view video clips and learn more, visit the Everything's Cool web site.

October 14: Movie Event – Blue Gold: World Water Wars

Sponsored by EcoPledge, this documentary showing brought viewers at BC into the world of a multiple award-winning film. As stated on the film's web site: "In every corner of the globe, we are polluting, diverting, pumping, and wasting our limited supply of fresh water at an expediential level as population and technology grows. The rampant overdevelopment of agriculture, housing, and industry increase the demands for fresh water well beyond the finite supply, resulting in the desertification of the earth.

Corporate giants force developing countries to privatize their water supply for profit. Wall Street investors target desalination and mass bulk water export schemes. Corrupt governments use water for economic and political gain. Military control of water emerges and a new geo-political map and power structure forms, setting the stage for world water wars.

We follow numerous worldwide examples of people fighting for their basic right to water, from court cases to violent revolutions to UN conventions to revised constitutions to local protests at grade schools. As Maude Barlow proclaims, “This is our revolution, this is our war.” A line is crossed as water becomes a commodity. Will we survive?"

Want to know more? Watch the film trailer.

October 15: Movie Event – Food, Inc. at the Coolidge Corner Theatrer

EcoPledge sponsored its own trip to view the renowned documentary Food, Inc. at the Coolidge Corner Theatre. A fantastic, deeply interesting film "lifts the veil" on our nation's food industry, urging people to look at what they eat in a new light. Award-winning director Robert Kenner makes food problems hit home with the everyday consumer, and his multi-faceted approach to the issues gained him a spot on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Watch the film trailer.

October 19: Ecoproducts Night

Held in the basement of Lyons Hall ("the Rat"), Ecoproducts Night featured representatives from a variety of green product lines, opportunities to win eco-goodies, and speakers including Laura Hake on everyday toxins that consumers should be highly aware of.

Ecojot displayed its collection of Eco-chic designer stationery (photo at left) created by Carolyn Gavin. All of their products are printed on 100% recycled, acid-free, processed chlorine-free paper and board. Glue and ink are vegetable based and therefore biodegradable, and a portion of all sales go to support Evergreen.ca.

Preserve brand items showed off their motto "Nothing Wasted. Everything Gained" with tableware, kitchen tools, and personal-care items that go above and beyond consumer needs while simultaneously using dishwasher-safe, BPA-free, and post-consumer materials.

A table with Natracare feminine hygiene products revealed the health advantage to using their organic materials, as well as the environmental benefit of biodegradable and compostible products. Every year, over 45 billion sanitary pads are disposed of, mainly in landfills.

A fun dinner event sponsored by Real Food BC was held in the Cabaret Room on Lower Campus, providing delicious food and drink from Whole Foods as well as Addie's Loft, an on-campus cafe providing local artisan fare. The event benefited organic and locally grown food such as that grown at Volante Farms of Needham, and a slide presentation illustrated the necessity of eating locally in order to sustain agriculture and natural resources.

October 20: Dean Cycon of "Dean's Beans"

As part of the Lowell Humanities Series, Dean Cycon of Dean's Beans spent the day with students and faculty, and gave an evening lecture as well. Dean's Beans sells 100% Organic, Fair Trade coffee, using a comprehensive sustainable strategy that both preserves natural resources and gives back to the local coffee growers. Dean Cycon has worked as an activist, a lawyer, and finally a businessman. He seeks to educate students on business as a means for positive change in the world. Dean also authored the book Javatrekker: Dispatches From the World of Fair Trade Coffee, "a unique hybrid of Fair Trade business, adventure travel, and cultural anthropology" according to Green Books.

October 21: Resewn Fashion Show

The Heights Room (the upper level of Lower Dining Hall/Corcoran Commons) transformed from an everyday conference space to a runway for green fashion, complete with lighting and gorgeous BC student models! Fashion-forward organic, second-hand and recreated pieces graced the runway, proving that what you wear can be inexpensive, trendy, and environmentally responsible all at once.

Mahi Gold showed off its classic and eco-friendly looks on the models as well as on display at their table, and CAB Designs by Chris Battaglia presented an array of T-shirts in fun, comfortable designs. The event also saw lots of donations to its clothing swap box, proving that there is always a new use for an old pair of jeans.

WATCH the video of the fashion show and commentary from its organizers on YouTube!

October 28: Winston Forum on Business Ethics

Mike Dupee, the CO for corporate social responsibility at Green Mountain Coffee, spoke at Boston College's Yawkey Center about his experience with the company's social and environmental responsibility initiatives. Green Mountain Coffee supports sustainable coffee as well as local communities where it is grown.

October 29: Feeding Ourselves, Feeding the World: Food Governance and Sustainability

A trans-Atlantic dialogue with business leaders, professors, students, non-profits, and community interest groups on food, sustainability, and social justice, held in Gasson 100.

November 8: Real Food BC Garden Day

Real Foodies got their hands dirty planting garlic and putting the garden to bed for the season! Students worked hard to finish up the last of the tilling and work their compost into the garden, a rewarding finish to a successful growing year (see their beautiful tomatoes pictured at left). Visit the Real Food BC web site to learn more about gardening and eating locally.

November 19: Fair Trade 101

What is Fair Trade? What does it mean for a company to sell Fair Trade products? Who benefits from Fair Trade? How can I support the Fair Trade Movement? Peter Buck of Equal Exchange shared the story of one of the small cooperative farming communities that trades with Equal Exchange. Attendees had an opportunity to learn more about one of the fasting growing movements in Boston and the world and how it can stimulate trade in developing countries while also promoting sustainability. Free, and delicious, Fair Trade Coffee was also served. View the event flyer.

November 19: Green Career Fair

The Colleges of the Fenway held the 2nd Annual Green Networking & Careers Fair at Simmons College from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in the Linda K. Paresky Conference Center. There was a moderated panel on green careers from 1:00-2:00 p.m., then open networking at exhibitor tables from 2:00-4:00 p.m..

December 11: "Climate Change and Copenhagen”

Boston College Libraries’ “BC Greener Lib” hosted an informal brownbag discussion surrounding climate change and the international conference at Copenhagen. Participants were encouraged to read pertinent material, provided by the hosts. During the event, the discussion involved questions such as, "Are you convinced? Do you think climate change is a real, true threat? What have you learned or what has surprised you in the readings or in recent news coverage of climate change/climate change policy? How do you envision the world tackling the issue of climate change? What do you think will really happen? What do you think it will take to capture the attention of the American public?"