 "Photo: Megan Trasport for The Hilltop")
 "Photo: Megan Trasport for The Hilltop")
 "Photo: Megan Trasport for The Hilltop")
A stick, a lump of coal, a light bulb, a solar panel, and a toilet sat on display in a unique exhibit at the homecoming game. An environmental business class created the display to promote the reduction of worldwide emissions of carbon.
The class efforts supported the first International Day of Climate Change, sponsored by the organization 350.org. The organizers of the website 350.org designated October 24 as a day to publically advocate for the reduction of carbon in Earth’s atmosphere.
Scientists consulted by 350.org identified 350 parts per million as the safe level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to prevent detrimental effects of climate change. However, Earth’s current carbon dioxide level is at 387 parts per million.
Every item during homecoming exemplified ways that humans can conserve energy and stop putting excessive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Students tried to explain the difference between the environmental impact of burning wood versus burning coal for energy.
Burning a piece of wood is less detrimental to the environment than burning a lump of coal, because the wood contains energy acquired over a shorter span of time, according to Ashley Alfis.
“The stick contains carbon that has been stored within it itself over the past 10-15 years. When it is used and released back into the atmosphere, it’s like its putting the same amount of carbon dioxide that it absorbed from the atmosphere right back in it,” Alfis, a student in the class, said.
“However, the coal is made up of animals, plants, and compost from many years – when it is burned, it releases carbon dioxide that has been out of the atmosphere for a long time,” she said.
David Blackwell, another BA327 student, suggested another alternative to obtain energy – through water. He said that a device called GEET can separate hydrogen molecules out of water, so a car could run on 80 percent water and only 20 percent gasoline.
Blackwell also said that compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) are big energy and money savers because they last much longer and use less energy than standard light bulbs. He and the class are working to get CFLs installed in all buildings on campus.
“CFL light bulbs will save over 75 percent of your lighting expenses,” read a sign attached to a light bulb on display during homecoming weekend.
Solar panels are yet another extension of energy efficiency, Blackwell said. When solar panels trap heat in a building, they can generate power, and an abundance of that power will result in a building producing more energy than it takes from the atmosphere.
“Solar panels are a great idea because you can generate so much power that you put energy back into the grid. When this happens, the power company sends you a check,” he said.
The BA327 students even pinpointed human waste as an area where energy can be conserved. On the back of the last and most unusual item on display, the toilet, a sign read: “This old toilet uses 5-7 gallons of water per flush…Upgrade to a 1.6 or 1.2 gallon flush per toilet.”
“When we had this display at the Heritage Festival, all people wanted to look at was the toilet,” laughed Leonie Palzer, another BA327 student.
The sustainability class plans to continue supporting the cause of 350.org throughout November, which is designated “green month.”
“There is a theme for every week; this was our kick-off,” Blackwell said.
Recycling, conservation and personal interaction will be central themes.
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