Earth Day: a reminder that little changes make big differences

Earth Day (April 22) meant a new environmental beginning for many local area companies and organizations. They were inspired by the holiday to implement various strategies in order to lead greener and more environmentally conscious lives.
Alcoa Corporate Center of Pittsburgh had already given 1,000 of its employees the pre-Earth Day assignment of changing four light bulbs in their homes. The company spent $10,000 to buy energy efficient light bulbs for its workers in order to boost environmental awareness.
According to Alcoa’s calculations, if all of its employees use the energy efficient bulbs in their homes for four hours each day then there will be an immense amount of energy saved. It is estimated that this will number will be equivalent to the amount of saved energy when taking 66 cars off the road.


By Leslie Rodriguez,
Sports Editor
Earth Day (April 22) meant a new environmental beginning for many local area companies and organizations. They were inspired by the holiday to implement various strategies in order to lead greener and more environmentally conscious lives.
Alcoa Corporate Center of Pittsburgh had already given 1,000 of its employees the pre-Earth Day assignment of changing four light bulbs in their homes. The company spent $10,000 to buy energy efficient light bulbs for its workers in order to boost environmental awareness.
According to Alcoa’s calculations, if all of its employees use the energy efficient bulbs in their homes for four hours each day then there will be an immense amount of energy saved. It is estimated that this will number will be equivalent to the amount of saved energy when taking 66 cars off the road.
At least 20 other local organizations also plan on enforcing new environmental initiatives after Earth Day. Eat�n Park’s Hospitality Group is focusing most of its endeavors on cutting down on waste. In particular the company’s efforts will affect the diesel fuel industry as they are sending used fried oil from all their locations to Steel City Biofuels for conversion.
Though these companies have taken the first step and are acting in the spirit of the day, many people do no know the day’s origin or even why we celebrate it. Earth Day is intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment.
Over the past few years with the continual imposition of critical environmental issues like global warning and the ozone layer’s depletion, it has become a day of strategizing for many environmentalists.
In 1970, Wisconsin state Sen. Gaylord Nelson called for an Environmental Teach-in day or Earth Day to be held on April 22.
Today it is recognized and celebrated by 500 million people and national governments in 175 countries. According to Nelson, Earth Day �worked� because of the spontaneous response at the individual and community levels.
�I usually plant a small tree, or clean up at a local neighborhood church, and or park with some friends. I think to an extent people are still very active, and aware on Earth Day, and now people are trying to do things for the earth more than ever,� said Eileen Tiano, a sophomore at Seton Hill University (SHU).
The Green Club at SHU has worked to raise awareness for this Earth Day as well as make it a memorable one for all members of the community. The club placed various environmental demonstrations and signs around the campus in order to grab the attention of passing students and faculty members.
�I definitely think it’s a good way to make people take notice on Earth Day,� said Nicole Wilcox, a senior.
The SHU community’s attempts to become environmentally aware are also previously evident through the efforts of the campus’s recycling team.
Other local colleges and universities are working to be environmentally conscious as well. In efforts to reduce carbon dioxide omissions Chatham College, located in Oakland, has recently begun giving students and faculty bus passes at no charge.
�Within in a year we should have done an inventory of greenhouse gases on our campus and have an institutional action plan within two years,� said Chatham College president Esther Barazzone.
Angela Belli, St. Vincent College (SVC) Environmental Education Center director and SHU environmental science teacher, wholeheartedly believes that making small changes in our daily routines can lead to great strides for the environment.
�SHU could institute an �Energy Efficiency Program,� meaning, turn lights and computers off when not in the room, change all bulbs to energy efficient bulbs, and change to green cleaning products,� said Belli.
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