On your mark, get set, GREEN

Decreasing our dependence on gasoline-powered vehicles is a major obstacle on the long road to sustainability.

Each gallon of gas used by a car emits about 19 pounds of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. That means if you drive an average of 1,000 miles a month, your car emits 120 tons of carbon dioxide. As we discussed earlier this week, carbon dioxide is a main contributor to global warming and thus causes a major hardship on our planet.

What can you do?

Bid your car adieu. Oxford is a small town, and we need to get into the habit of using our legs, not the gas pedal.

If driving is a must, consider carpooling. Despite popular perception, carpooling is not just for moms in minivans.

As a matter of fact, on Thursday all carpoolers (soccer moms included) will be rewarded for their green efforts by being allowed to park in a convenient “green” lot on the west side of the Turner Center.

If you decide to bike to campus, take your helmet by Java City and receive 50 percent off coffee.
Want to learn more about alternative modes of transportation?
Come by the Union Plaza from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and learn about the Oxford Pathways Initiative and the O.U.T. system, and check out the university’s solar powered shuttle carts.

Are you up for a challenge?

At 7:30 a.m. Thursday, the university hosts a commuters race. Starting in the Wal-Mart parking lot, participants will choose a form of green transportation: bike, carpool or bus. Then, commuters will make their way toward the Union Plaza. Who will win? Tune into 92.1 Rebel Radio or come witness the fun for yourself. The competition may be heated!

Want to learn more about Climate Change?

Attend a panel discussion at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Lamar Law Center on the consequences of climate change as they apply to policy, law and the community. The event is sponsored by the Environment Law Society and will be held in Moot Court I on the third floor.