Tonight, the Green Initiatives committee is hosting a talk titled “A U of I Student’s Path to Sustainable Living” at 6:30 p.m. in the Illini Union. The free event will highlight ways to “live green” on a college campus and how to apply sustainability to professions (especially right out of school). There will be three speakers at the event, all offering their professional insight. Carol Augspurger, an ecology professor, will focus on decreasing your ecological footprint on campus. Tentatively, Don Wuebbles, a professor in atmospheric sciences, will be speaking on climate change, its affects in the Midwest and his work with Chicago Climate Action. The third speaker will be an engineer from Chicago whose focus will be on sustainable building practices.
It’s been only three semesters since the Green Initiatives committee was started, and this is the second big event that they have organized. Included in their other activities are battery recycling and cooperation with other campus organizations to promote awareness of environmental issues. While this is definitely meant to be an educational experience, it’s also meant to serve as a break from all your studies. The speakers will be followed by a casual meet and greet, a chance to talk to the speakers and each other. Green Initiatives is offering a delicious assortment of vegetarian and vegan hors d’oeuvres. Through the grapevine I’ve heard this menu includes Brie and apple tartlets. What more incentive do you need? Hopefully, you can make it out to the event, meet some people with the same interests and enjoy some free food.
The sustainable living event will be held tonight, Dec. 9, at the Illini Union, in i-room C, on 1401 W. Green St. in Campustown. It begins at 6:30 p.m. and will last until 9:00 p.m. Admission is free and refreshments will be provided.