Campus sustainability week, Oct. 19-24 - 2009-10-15

PAUL SMITH’S TO MARK CAMPUS SUSTAINABILITY WEEK OCT. 19-24
Week culminates with hundreds of people gathered for 350.org event

CONTACT: Kenneth Aaron, Director of Communications, (518) 327-6297

PAUL SMITHS – Locally grown food, expert presentations and draft-horse plowing - they’re all part of Campus Sustainability Week at Paul Smith’s College from Oct. 19-24.

Seminars, teach-ins and hands-on demonstrations are scheduled for the week, which will culminate in an event to mark 350.org’s International Day of Climate Action – one of more than 2,300 events in 153 countries planned that day. 350.org is leading a push to reduce carbon dioxide to 350 parts per million in the atmosphere, which scientists have identified as a safe upper limit. It is currently about 385.

“Instead of celebrating our sustainability efforts on a single day, which we’ve done in the past, we’ve expanded it to a week,” said Tom Huber, a college staff member who is helping coordinate the event. “There’s enough going on to warrant a full week of events – and it’s important to shine a spotlight on these issues as much as possible.”

The college is partnering with several groups during the week, including the Community Store, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, Adirondack Green Circle and the Permaculture Guild. Most of the events are free and open to the public. The week’s highlights include:

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m.: “Climate Whiplash: The Rise and Fall of the Global Greenhouse” presentation, Dr. Curt Stager, Freer Auditorium
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.: Conference on “Food, Agriculture and the North Country Economy,” Joan Weill Student Center (registration required)
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 10:30 a.m.: Draft Horse Club plowing demonstration, soccer field
Wednesday, Oct. 21, 5:30 p.m.: Apple-pressing demo, Joan Weill Student Center
Friday, Oct. 23, 2 p.m.: Garlic planting and no-till sheet mulching demo, soccer field
Saturday, Oct. 24, 3:30 p.m.: 350.org action.

For a complete list of events, e-mail Huber at thuber@paulsmiths.edu.

Paul Smith’s has embraced several sustainability measures on campus, from small to large. At one end of the scale, for example, $6,000 worth of energy-efficient power strips were distributed across campus; at the other, John Mills, the college’s president, was among the first to sign the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which requires the campus to develop a roadmap to climate neutrality.

“The college is committed to climate action,” said junior David LaFay, who helps coordinate several programs in his job as campus sustainability assistant. “Expanding the activities to a week is another way we’re showing that commitment.”

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ABOUT PAUL SMITH’S COLLEGE

At Paul Smith’s College, it’s about the experience. Our programs, in fields including hospitality, culinary arts, forestry, natural resources, entrepreneurship and the sciences, draw on industries and resources available in our own backyard while preparing students for successful careers anywhere.