The Forum asked the Environmental Club for their responses to several questions concerning conservation and the club’s current and past efforts to promote environmental preservation. Those interviewed were Alex Siega, Lara Parvinsmith, Saloni Mehta, Madeleine O’Neill, Marissa Wiegel, Martin Mohlin, Dan Hubbell, Tory Kittleson, and Geoff Tam.

What are some of your recent projects? What has the club accomplished? What is the club working on right now?

Recently, we have been campaigning to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from idling cars. We have made signs to put up around the school banning idling for long periods of time, and in June will spread the message to the school and local community.
We also have held numerous forums, including the forum on the causes and effects of global warming last March, and an alternative energy forum and local eco businesses forum last year. In addition, we are selling compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) donated by NStar to the community to raise funds for our solar panel project, which will hopefully launch next year.
Right now, we’re working on raising funds for the solar panel project. Also, we’re organizing an eco-businesses fair, in which local businesses dedicated to the green movement through their products and message will come and present how they are contributing to making the environment a cleaner place through their business (businesses include Perfectly Natural, Annie’s, Burt’s Bees).

What do you think are the most important environmental issues today?

Human impact on climate through deforestation, pollution (carbon dioxide and lack of recycling) and the Bush Administation’s lack of action to prevent further human impact on climate change.

What do you think is the best solution to counteracting/limiting the effects of climate change?

Lifestyle change: gear the consumer market towards eco-friendly products and gradually phase out the harmful products and introduce sustainable resources/technology.

What are some things that are being done around the world right now to improve/save the environment?

In general, fuel-efficient/lessened carbon dioxide emission cars.
In the United States there have been several measures taken: Blue Legacy (a government sponsored program to promote climate change), carbon cap, and making use of illegally cut down logs a criminal offense.
In the world: research on global warming and prevention, as well as global climate conferences that have previously been held in Kyoto and Bali.

What do you think the government should do to regulate emissions? Should regulating emissions be the responsibility of the state or the national government?

Act on legislation, rather than just talk about it. A carbon emissions cap by 2050 will not be reached unless we are proactive now and support alternative energy sources.
We need a national cap on emissions but also allow states to have a measure of control (to lower cap further).

What can students do everyday to help the environment?

Buy CFLs, recycle, turn off lights (electric conservation), carpool, plant trees, avoid use of bottled water, and buy eco-friendly and organic products.