Jason Lee

EcoPledge Member, A&S 2010

“I think the condition of the environment has deteriorated to the point where our mere way of living needs utmost changes to reverse the damage or at least prevent this planet from becoming less hospitable. Even though global warming, along with its environmental consequences, began a couple of centuries ago, it seems to be our responsibility to take strides to go more "green." Moreover, for drastic changes to occur for the environment to be more sustainable, it is up to the individual to produce less waste, use less water, turn off unnecessary lightings, recycle, etc. because long-term effects start with each individual that makes up the whole.

BC should be more proactive in promoting sustainability because I believe it is a Jesuit precept to not only carry the light to the world but, with that light, bring hospitality to the environment so that others — humans and organisms — can live on a better planet. Personally, I do not think it is that difficult to walk a short distance rather than drive, take shorter showers, decrease usage of one-time use materials, unplug appliances not in use, etc., but what people might need to be able to do is make a conscious effort each time they act in ways that contradict Mother Nature's initial course. Conservation rocks!”

Peggy Fox

EcoPledge Officer, A&S 2008

“Members of EcoPledge are committed to educating our fellow students and to encouraging them to be environmentally conscious in their habits and consumption, but we hope that individuals also take it upon themselves to reduce their ecological footprint and to encourage others to do the same. Sustainability on this campus can never be achieved unless all students are committed to it, and this degree of commitment demands institutional leadership from our University. It is our hope that what it means to be Boston College and what is encompassed in the challenge to be men and women is a call to care for the health of our planet, which is intrinsically linked to the well-being of all men and women living on this earth.”

Samantha Gawrych

EcoPledge Member, A&S 2010

 “’For here or to go?’ I’m sure we can all recognize this familiar question because if you purchase food from the dining hall, you are asked in these simple terms whether or not you want to receive a glistening white plate probably fresh and hot out of the dishwasher, or a flimsy plastic container where your food seems to fall into one mixed-up mess. Or, if you’re in the pasta line, it’s safe to say that the servers will put your meal in a plastic container without even asking you, because they assume for their own good and for yours, they are less likely to make a mess glopping it into one big container, and you are less likely to spill it before you sit down to eat it. And how many times do you find yourself saying, “To go, please” and ending up sitting down at a table in McElroy or Lower, eating from your big ol’ plastic container?

Cutting down on using plastic is an important step towards living in an environmentally friendly and healthy world. Avoiding using plastic means you are avoiding the risks of coming in contact with certain toxins. The more people who begin to avoid using plastic, the overall less toxins there will be in the air and thus the cleaner the environment will be. We can even begin talking with managers in the dining halls about using alternative plastics such as the PLA plastics. PLA plastics will use a crop which there are great surplus amounts of to create a similar 'plastic'-looking container.

Now I would like to leave you with one question and I’d like you to think about how easy it is for you as an individual to make a small difference. For here, or to go?”

Noel Schaff

EcoPledge Member, A&S 2010

“We need to help make BC a role model for other schools and their environmental campaigns. Although we have made a huge step in the past couple of years towards becoming green-friendly, we still have a long way to go. We can't forget how important even the small things are, like recycling paper and bottles. Every little bit counts!”

David Wagner

EcoPledge Member, A&S 2010

“I have always liked the quote by G.H. Brundtland about how we should treat the world we live in: ‘We must consider our planet to be on loan from our children, rather than being a gift from our ancestors.’”