Green Gala Initiation¡ªWe Do Our Part¡°We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors: we borrow it from our children.¡±¡ªDavid Kopel | |
|
Nowadays, more and more people around the globe become more concern about the environment. Especially after Copenhagen, the matter reducing carbon emission becomes one of the hottest topics in our generation. Every grand event today may cause a lot of unnecessary waste and greenhouse gases emission. It is our responsibility to keep the unnecessary wastes happening. It doesn¡¯t mean that we are aiming for exactly zero emission, but reduce the emission as much as possible. As UC Berkeley environmental activists, we do our part: we are looking for ways to reduce people¡¯s carbon footprint in this magnificent event. I our efforts might be negligible, but we hope we can influence people, through this gala, and invite them to the action of protect the environment. The gala unnecessary carbon emission and waste might come from transportation, food waste, plastic utensils, electricity, paper waste etc. Based on these sources, the Gala carbon footprint can be reduced from: TransportationIn the invitation letter, we encourage people to use public transportation as much as possible. Meanwhile we set our gala in UC Berkeley campus, a convenient place close to public transportation¡ªBART, AC Transit, etc.CateringWe reduce the amount of beef, pork and lamb. We choose fish and chicken as much as possible. Red meat such as beef, pork and lamb, can produce several times more greenhouses gases raising them than white meat, chicken and fish. And white meat is generally considered healthier than red meat.Meanwhile, we are cooperating with the catering company to buy organic and local vegetable for the gala. Hence we can reduce ¡°food miles¡± and ensure a healthier diet for guests. We have vegetarian choice. We do not have small bottle drink. All drinks are either fountain drink or serve in a big bottle. We do not serve wooden coffee stick, small package of sugar, salt, pepper or butter. Instead, they are placed in glass bottle or plate with spoon. UtensilsWe use glass utensils as much as possible. Other non-glass utensils are all compostable.We do not serve napkin, cloth napkin only. PaperWe are reducing the amount of paper usage as much as possible.We use energy star label projectors and other electronic devices in different speeches. We do not offer paper materials from the speeches. We have a sign up station for people who want to get speech information. We will send the information in email. We will offer one-sided paper for people to take notes. We will recycle the name tag holder. RecycleWe will have clear labeling recycling bin and composting bin anywhere you can see.DecorationWe use simple, universal theme decoration material, which can also be reusable next time in other circumstances.FootprintWe are going to calculate the gala and personal footprint for people who attending the Gala. |
