 "Photo: Shelley Neuman; The Daily Texan")
UT students sampled free food and scoured through piles of $1 T-shirts while learning conservation techniques at the Campus Environmental Center’s Earth Summit on Wednesday.
The center, an arm of Student Government, hosts the two-day event each semester to teach students how to cut down on waste, water use and electrical output, said Drucilla Tigner, government junior and assistant director of the center.
“We’re hoping people take the initiative to be more green themselves,” Tigner said. “We have every kind of organization here to help them. We have something here for everyone trying to decrease their footprint.”
Representatives from several groups manned tables in the West Mall rally space. They handed out fliers to students and answered questions on topics ranging from planting more trees on campus to recycling old computer equipment.
Robert Mayberry, executive chef with the University’s Division of Housing and Food Services, said students can find organic, farm-direct selections in the dining halls once a week. Biodegradable utensils and plates are also available.
Mayberry said that while these efforts can be costly, locally grown foods save energy on fuel and shipping and are healthier alternatives to commercial fruits and vegetables.
“When you put the products side by side, the locally grown is always better-tasting,” Mayberry said, as passing students paused to try sweet potato bread and other baked goods.
Al Lewandowski, the University’s energy manager, discussed UT’s efforts to cut down on water and electrical use as he urged students to do the same.
“If they can just replace one incandescent light bulb with a compact fluorescent bulb, they’re going to make a remarkable difference in the world,” Lewandowski said.
Students who wish to make changes in their water use can also pick up free low-flow shower heads at the summit from the City of Austin Water Conservation program.
History freshman Dickie Fischer sorted through second-hand clothing offered for sale as part of the summit. Though he was initially drawn to the West Mall area by signs announcing low-cost T-shirts, he said he was pleased to learn that funds raised would go to support environmental efforts on campus.
“It’s good knowing that the money’s going to a valuable cause,” Fischer said.
The Earth Summit concludes today at 7 p.m. in the Flawn Academic Center with a speech by urban studies professor Sinclair Black. Black will discuss possible routes for the Austin streetcar system.
Plans for the system have been discussed for more than 10 years, with voters deciding to provide funding in 2000. Despite the hurdles faced while implementing the system since then, Black said the streetcar is necessary to reduce traffic congestion, parking problems and pollution.
“The future of the region depends on it,” he said. “We spend a lot of time talking about sustainability. If we don’t start with additional transit, we’re wasting our time and our breath.”
