EARTH WEEK EARTH WEEK 20072007

Presentation by: Veronica Kennedy and Zack Brym

Monday, March 12 - Friday, March 16

As much as one-fourth of earth's biodiversity may be extinct by 2100.

- “Transformed Earth” Allan 2005

Because

Studies suggest that global warming will cause a 1/2 to 2 meter rise in sea level.

A one meter rise will cause 14,000 square miles of the U.S. to be

inundated by water.1

Because

Costing us $270-475 billion1

In 2003, 1.1 billion people did not have access to drinkable water.2

Because

BBC News, 2006

In 2005, The United States produced more than 245 million tons of waste.

Because

That equals 4.5 pounds per person per day.4

SEEDS

Strategies for Ecology, Education, Development and Sustainability (SEEDS) is working to diversify and advance the profession of ecology by promoting opportunities to underrepresented students and to reduce the under-representation of individuals from minority groups within the field of ecology. http://www.esa.org/seeds/

MSTAR

Michigan Students Advocating Recycling (MSTAR) is bringing about serious change in UM’s recycling program to better facilitate recycling on campus as well as increasing education and awareness to strive for a more sustainable community at the U.

Environment Committee of the UM College DemocratsThe Environment Committee is advocating for a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) for the state of Michigan and a new green building standard for the University of Michigan.

Environmental EnthusiastsThe Environmental Enthusiasts entered MTV and GE’s Ecomagination Challenge to receive a $25,000 grant to install a green roof made of plants native to

Michigan on the Elbel Building.

Environmental Issues Commission

MSA passed a resolution proposed by the EIC asking the University to purchase 33% of its energy from renewable sources by the fall semester 2007, increasing their purchases to 50% and 100% in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

What YOU can do…- Speak up for a change- Turn off the lights- Carpool, walk, ride a bus- Use less water, especially in the shower- Limit your use of paper goods and packaging- Recycle- Buy local and organic foods- Eat at lower trophic levels, aka: be vegetarian

- Use energy saving light bulbs- Carry a reusable bottle and/or mug- Join a UofM environmental organization

What will you do?

Join us on the Diag for Earth Week to learn more and have fun

celebrating the Earth!

For more information go to http://www.sitemaker.umich.edu/earthweek2007/

Resources

• 1. Titus, James et. All. “Greenhouse Effect and Sea Level Rise: The Cost of Holding Back the Sea.” 1991.

• 2. Ehrenmen, Gayle. “Not a Drop to Drink.” 2003. http://www.memagazine.org/contents/current/features/notadrop/notadrop.html 19 February 2007.

• 3. BBC News. “ Map Details of global Water Stress.” 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/5269296.stm 19 February 2007.

• 4. “Municipal Solid Waste: Basic Facts.” U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. http://www.epa.gov/msw/facts.htm 19 February 2007.