Students fight for greater sustainability efforts to be implemented
Natalie Olivo
Issue date: 2/9/10 Section: News
In today's economic crisis, it is tempting to put consumption related issues on the backburner. However, not only is consumption the theme on campus this year, but it is also one of themes in Stephen Marglin's new book, The Dismal Science: How Thinking Like an Economist Undermines Community.
Denison students will have the opportunity to hear the Harvard professor discuss his book when he visits campus today (Feb. 9) at 4:30 p.m. in Higley Auditorium to deliver a lecture titled "Why Is Enough Never Enough?"
"[Exploring the] various conversations we could have about our consumption habits, it seemed necessary to discuss the thing that's been on everyone's mind recently -- the economic crisis," said Academic Events Coordinator Marlaine Browning.
Marglin, the Walter S. Barker Chair in the department of economics at Harvard University, argues in his new book that "market relationships erode community, and … economic recovery is doomed to fail again if we continue to think about it only in terms of market relations."
Marglin's visit is just one of the many events on campus intended to raise awareness about consumption and promote environmental sustainability.
There are already several varied efforts around campus to conserve energy and limit consumption. Junior sociology/anthropology major Lauren Sabo and junior English creative writing major Holly Burdorff recently completed the Night Light Watchman/Woman project through the Campus Sustainability Committee.
The idea stemmed from Burdorff and Sabo's frustration from seeing so many classroom and presentation room lights stay on all night.
Sabo decided to apply for a grant that would fund two student workers to turn off lights in buildings at night, document the energy use and complete education and advocacy work across campus to increase awareness and change behavior.
The plan turned out well. Turning off the lights in 790 unoccupied rooms for twelve days saved Denison 72,806 kilowatt hours and $4,750. Burdorff and Sabo concluded that simply turning off unused lights would save Denison $216,000 a year.
Denison students will have the opportunity to hear the Harvard professor discuss his book when he visits campus today (Feb. 9) at 4:30 p.m. in Higley Auditorium to deliver a lecture titled "Why Is Enough Never Enough?"
"[Exploring the] various conversations we could have about our consumption habits, it seemed necessary to discuss the thing that's been on everyone's mind recently -- the economic crisis," said Academic Events Coordinator Marlaine Browning.
Marglin, the Walter S. Barker Chair in the department of economics at Harvard University, argues in his new book that "market relationships erode community, and … economic recovery is doomed to fail again if we continue to think about it only in terms of market relations."
Marglin's visit is just one of the many events on campus intended to raise awareness about consumption and promote environmental sustainability.
There are already several varied efforts around campus to conserve energy and limit consumption. Junior sociology/anthropology major Lauren Sabo and junior English creative writing major Holly Burdorff recently completed the Night Light Watchman/Woman project through the Campus Sustainability Committee.
The idea stemmed from Burdorff and Sabo's frustration from seeing so many classroom and presentation room lights stay on all night.
Sabo decided to apply for a grant that would fund two student workers to turn off lights in buildings at night, document the energy use and complete education and advocacy work across campus to increase awareness and change behavior.
The plan turned out well. Turning off the lights in 790 unoccupied rooms for twelve days saved Denison 72,806 kilowatt hours and $4,750. Burdorff and Sabo concluded that simply turning off unused lights would save Denison $216,000 a year.
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