Blog # 5

By promoting the design and construction of new green schools and by greening existing schools, we can make a tremendous impact on student health, school operational costs and the environment.

These schools are built and operated to be full of clean air and sunlight and to be free of toxic materials and harmful chemicals. Green schools are energy efficient, helping to lower utility costs, conserve resources and reduce waste. Green schools showcase a community's commitment to its children and their future, who in turn learn from an early age the importance and benefits of acting as responsible stewards of their communities and the larger world.

Characteristics of a Green School

• Conserves energy and natural resources
• Saves taxpayer money
• Improves indoor air quality
• Removes toxic materials from places where children learn and play
• Employs daylighting strategies and improves classroom acoustics
• Employs sustainable purchasing and green cleaning practices
• Improves environmental literacy in students
• Decreases the burden on municipal water and wastewater treatment
• Encourages waste management efforts to benefit the local community and region
• Conserves fresh drinking water and helps manage stormwater runoff
• Encourages recycling
• Promotes habitat protection
• Reduces demand on local landfills
  
  
  
  centerforgreenschools.org/why-green-schools.asxhttp

Blog # 4

I found the “Ten Key Values of the Green Party” very interesting. I felt that there where a lot of good ideas that everyone could benefit from following and at the very least reading. If everyone was to follow just one of these ideas the world would a better place, as cliché as that may sound.

Out of all the values I found the “Ecological Wisdom” to be the one that I most believe in. I feel that it kind of wraps up all the other values into one. I strongly feel that we have a responsibility to protect the environment not only for our own sake but for that of future generations. I think it is very selfish and unacceptable to use the resources given to us by the environment with reckless abandonment and with no regard to the impact it will have on our children and their children. Self preservation is something that we all must have and if I believe that if we continue the same way we have there will be too little left to preserve. Following this I believe that having “Ecological Wisdom” is something that everyone must have.

I was most surprised by the practicability of the “Ten Key Values of the Green Party”. What I mean by this is that all of the values in some way or another are all very practical and would serve the greater good of the World tremendously.

Blog # 3

The program that I found most interesting on the Sustainable Carolina website was the "Greening the Mind" team. I found this most interesting because I think in order for anyone to change their way of doing things one must start with changing the way they think and live. I feel that the "Greening the Mind" team is a great place to make an impact on someone trying to be more green. I have also been a big believer in meditation so I think the Mindful Meditation would be very interesting to observe and participate in. 

On the AASHE website I really like the fact that they have Campus Operations Resources. Under this you can find such things as better building, transportation, dining and many other resources on how to make daily operations greener. I think this a great thing because many campuses may want to be greener but do not know where to start. This gives them a great place to start. They even have case studies posted online as a reference point on real word examples that work. The website is a great place for anyone that is trying to figure out how to become greener on their campus.

What is the best way that someone can make an impact on becoming a greener campus?

Blog # 2

My name is Patrick Hoadwonic and I was born in Beaufort, Sc but grew up in Lexington, SC. I am always outdoors when I am free. I fish all the time and in the past few years have taken up  freediving spearfishing. I love it because it takes hunting and fishing and kind of combines them together. I am a senior in finance and plan to be a financial adviser when I am done. I want to do this because I love meeting and talking to new people and also love sales so this career will allow me to combine both together. I am a very talkative person and I love being around people. If anybody wants to know more just ask.

Blog # 1

 I hope to gain a better understanding of all aspects of green politics by the end of this course. I hope to have a better understanding of such things as deep ecology, spiritual ecology, social ecology, green democracy, ecofeminism, and evironmental policy. I am really interested in becoming active in the green community around campus and learning about all the ways that you can get involved. I have always felt that being "green" was important and look forward to finding how not only I can be more green but also get others around me to be more green.