Conserving energy has the largest impact on emissions of greenhouse gases. For example, each gallon of gas burned in a car emits twenty pounds of carbon dioxide. Here are some quick, easy steps to conserving energy on campus:
Buying local food is vital on so many levels. It is vital on a personal level, as it keeps farmers, now only about 2% of Americans, able to provide for their families. It is vital on a community level, as buying local keeps money within our communities, revitalizing local economies. It is vital on a national level, because the local farmer has an investment in the land and uses more sustainable methods of agriculture than giant agribusiness that can easily relocate after destroying the soil. It is vital to our nation=E2=80=99s health: would the E. coli strain in Spinach have been epidemic if food were not mass-produced from a few sources? Finally, these steps we take to preserve our local communities can impact our global community: local foods are transported over shorter differences than non-local, so buying local foods can drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What's Local at Vassar?
All these products are available at the Vassar Farmers' Market: Tuesdays, 11am-4pm in the College Center.
Each year, thousands of sheets of wasted paper are printed in the library. Only print readings for class if you absolutely have to, and consider printing on recycled paper or double sided, if possible.
The waste in Dutchess County does not go to a landfill but is incinerated. This not only creates lots of greenhouse gases from released carbon but also pollutes the air of Dutchess county and uses lots of energy to transport garbage. Since food waste is energy inefficient to burn, Greenway Environmental has started a composting plant on the farm, and all food waste from ACDC currently is composted. Senior housing has composting availible, and we urge those of you living in senior housing to take the opportunity to start composting.