Mr. Earth Day is trying to save the planet, but he needs help. By taking a walk over to Slee Hall on Tuesday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m. to see the Mr. Earth Day himself, Denis Hayes, lecture about solar power and climate change, but be sure to turn off the lights before leaving the dorms.
"You have a concrete choice for the future," Hayes said. "If you don't make it, other people will make it for you."
According to Hayes, humans are the largest contributors to climate change through the emissions of greenhouse gases. Hayes plans to highlight ways humanity can adapt to these changes.
The lecture will focus on a "different set of technology" and the various strategies being incorporated into renewable energy sources, such as wind power and solar power, into everyday society.
"It's your generation that's going to bear the brunt of climate change," Hayes said.
Climate change, if it continues unchecked, could melt the sheets of ice on land in the North Pole by 2050. If those ice sheets melt, the water level in the ocean could rise over 40 feet. That's enough water to flood 1/3 of spring break destination Florida and destroy the rice patties of Bangladesh.
Hayes admits that convincing a nation that receives 90 percent of its energy from fossil fuels to switch to "sunbeams" is no easy task.
Jim Simon, the UB Green associate environmental educator, said that every college campus has things that can be improved and there are many ways for students to get involved. Buildings can be super-insulated to cut down on heating costs and can have PV Panel put on them to save energy.
Involvement from simple tasks like turning off lights in empty lecture halls to recycling whenever possible, to more advanced techniques such as questioning the product life of food can all contribute, said Simon.
Earth Day, founded over 30 years ago, has become the largest secular holiday celebrated worldwide. There is no right or wrong way to celebrate Earth Day - just do something good for the planet.
Prior to Hayes' lecture, there will be a Renewable Energy Fair at 6:30 p.m., where activities such as the "Energy Bike" a stationary bike that when pedaled powers a compact florescent light bulb.
Attending the lecture is a great way for students to get involved with something that impacts their generation.
"We've saved millions of dollars every year," said Simon. "We still have lots of work to do, but we've come a long way."
