April 8, 1994 Other Press Perspective on the Environment by Candace Brown Wednesday evenings for the students taking IDST 102 Environmen- tal studies has been enlightening. For those interested in the environment the course has provided a fresh perspective on a subject that has become a common household word. Since taking this course, com- mented one student “I think more about the environmental consequences of my actions. I think everyone should take this course.” Each Wednesday evening accommodates a lecture and speaker who presents a different aspect of environmental issues. The College invites speakers from business, in- dustry, government and special in- terest groups. Students are given reading material in advance, which is then highlighted through a lecture and videos. The material is then given another outlook by the guest speaker. The format gives the stu- dents a multi-disciplinary in an area that has been primarily scientific. “My ex- pectation was to learn anything about creating a sustainable society,” com- ments one student. I have a tragic lack of knowledge and it is important for me to continue learning more.” The course was developed af- ter the Ministry of Advanced training and Technology called for proposals from institutions in the Province to fur- ther educate students regarding environ- mental issues that are plaguing our planet today. Val Schaefer and other in- structors at Douglas College responded to the ministry’s call by creating a course that would combine the studies of sci- ence and arts. Science alone will not solve the problems of the planet therefore we need a balance of the combined disciplines and the willingness of busi- ness and individuals to take specific responsibility. The Ministry and Val Schaefer agree that a way to begin making change is to educate the gen- eral public and students. Having the contribution of the speakers which the public is invited to attend ac- complishes this goal. It also gives the audience and opportunity to re- ceive the answers to individual con- cerns. IDST 102 Environmental studies will be offered again in the winter semester, 1995. For more informa- tion contact Val Schaefer in Biology. Douglas College Sustainable ? by Candace Brown Douglas College has a goal to become a sustainable institution. In less than five years Dou- glas College will have saved $80,000 and done inestimable good for the environment simply by changing its lighting. In collaboration with the: Ministry of skills and training and technology and BC Hydro’s Power Smart Program the College recently replaced its existing lighting system to more efficient ballast’s with 32 watt bulbs. The changes cost $450,000 of which $100,000 was covered by a grant from BC Hydro. The College will re- cover its costs through energy by 1998. The heating system is one of the more valuable savings. The temperature in the building is low- ered to 60 degrees Fahrenheit through Photo Poll the night from 11:00 pm to 5:00 am and all day on Sundays. In addition to saving re- sources, our physical health is pro- tected through external planning of the grounds surrounding the college to include plants in the landscaping that need little maintenance. This ensures cost efficiency and reduces the need for spraying toxic pesticides. Internally the air we breathe is com- pletely replaced 2 1/2 times per hour. Paper recycling is one of the most successful approaches to- wards being environmentally friendly. The amount of solid waste that Dou- glas College produces has been re- duced by recycling paper products. Laidlaw, the disposal com- pany, picks up 1.25 metric tonnes per week (65 tonnes per year) of solid waste from the College. The College recycles approximately 18 tonnes of paper annually which reduces our solid waste and saves 12 hectares of trees. To guarantee maximum efficiency of the amount of paper used, the copi- ers in the College allow for double sided copying and the toner car- tridges can be reused. The college also uses paper with an average con- tent of 50 % recycled material. The present location of Dou- glas College was deliberately chosen to serve the expanding development in the New Westminster town centre. The College is close to transporta- tion, housing and shopping, reducing the need to use automobiles in the lower Mainland region. Douglas Col- lege has taken several steps towards its plan to be a leader in creating a sustainable institution and it con- tinues to grow. By Patrick Lane There was a hum of ex- citement, and a furvor of activ- ity surrounding the recent GLOBE 94 Confrence on Monday March 21. With the Earth Summit be- ing the last international gath- ering on environmental issues and business, the registering del- egates were highly anticipatory of their opportunity to view the “cutting edge” technologies be- ing presented(along with Envi- ronmental Management seminars and an International Business Contacts Centre). The welcoming recep- tion was hosted by Premier Mike Harcourt, and he started his ad- dress by outlining the reasons B.C. supports the Globe Founda- tion. British Columbia now has over 400 environmental companies(vested economic in- terests), and is strategically lo- cated at the “front door to Asia- Pacific”. He summarized by stating “the high priority we are all here for- Biodiversity”, and the treatment of our environ- mental goals. After waiting over twenty minutes, I had the op- portunity to thank the Premier for his future efforts to raise BCSCAP(British Columbia Student Assistance Plan) limits to meet the demands of considerable in- flation increases. His response included the future restruction of exist- ing grade 11 and 12 systems to meet the need for improvement. Great, however that has nothing to do with loan assistance for post-secondary students. Our conversation ended when I men- tioned his recent efforts to ex- port B.C. lumber overseas. The Trade-Fair was represented by over forty na- tions worldwide, with the ma- jority from first world countries. The multi-cultural exhibits dis- played the newest methods of dealing with the world’s major pollutant problems(water, land, and air pollution). The wide == GLOBE 94. The Globe Turns to Douglas College range of international partici- pants were connected by two things:1)The hope of improving the current global state for fol- lowing generations, and2)like all businesses, the pursuit of profit. With this being the case, the at- mosphere was a sincere, down to earth(no pun intended), open forum intending to offer solu- tions, and perhaps create some through economic partnership. With the Trade-Fair being the most exciting and in- formative, I(with the assistance of Andrea Taggart and Val Shaefer) have taken the oppor- tunity to invite many local en- vironmental companies to attend the upcoming DOUGLAS COLLEGE ENVIRONMENT DAY on Monday, April 11(from 10 A.M. to 4 P.M.) in the Main Concourse. Volun- teer Help and/or Questions or Concerns are welcome and appreciated(Contact Patrick at 451-3971 or Andrea at 463- 0023). In summnation, I no- ticed that U.S. Vice-President Al Gore(and Deputy Prime-Minister Shiela Copps not visible at her reception) cancelled his atten- dance at the Globe Confrence. This leaves a burning problem; in democratic societies we are led to believe that our elected representatives will show equal concern with the public on prob- lematic issues, and act accord- ingly. However, with this not being the situation, we as a com- mon society, must act together to solve our problems(through educating ourselves of our al- ternatives) and rely less on our beurocrats. If they respond ap- propriately, it’s a bonus. Please show you care(enough to learn) about your environment, and join us on Monday to view the exhib-. its. Together we can make Dou- glas College and thus the Globe, a better place. REMEMBER, Good Dreams Should Never Be Forgot- ten!