Augsburg’s student-organized Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG), has been very progressive around campus this semester — from organizing food banks, holding debate watching events, getting out the vote with the recent election, and working with students to make our campus green friendly. This year, MPRIG’s Environmental Task Force and Augsburg’s Environmental Stewardship Committee are working together on issues such as energy conservation, renewable energy, recycling, food composting, and transportation.
MPIRG and the Environmental Stewardship Committee are currently focusing on renewable energy, or energy obtained from sources that are naturally and continually replenished, and campus sustainability, which involves meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Last academic year, Augsburg was successful in organizing Focus the Nation and passed the wind-energy referendum that uses student fees to purchase wind-generated energy for the campus.
This semester, MPRIG is cataloging the number of students, staff, and faculty who commute to campus throughout the workweek. Car dependency is one of the main reasons the United States is the world leader in carbon dioxide emissions. Automobiles emit nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons into our earth’s atmosphere. These byproducts are leading factors in poor air quality. Also, with gas prices constantly fluctuating, consumers need to explore alternate means of transportation. Minnesotans want cars that reduce our dependence on foreign energy sources, reduce health impacts from toxic emissions, and protect the air and the environment of our state.
The following brief survey is an audit to help with the President’s Climate Commitment, which will allow us to calculate our carbon footprint as an entire campus body. If you are a current student, staff, or faculty member who commutes to Augsburg College, MPIRG encourages you to complete the survey.
https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?key=pb9cd8tUUWigIIkrpWq3mYQ&hl=en
It is very important that we have participation from as many commuters as possible, as the input will help the College assess its impact on the environment. Filling out this survey is the first step to helping Augsburg reduce our carbon footprint.
Please complete the survey ONLY if you are a current student, staff, or faculty who commutes to Augsburg College.
Article by Laura Dixon