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MCC Daily Tribune

Celebrate Earth Day Tomorrow, April 22

While we are focused on reducing the curve and risks associated with COVID-19, this can also be a moment of reinvention and thinking about what kind of "new normal" we will create after the crisis passes. Since our Earth Day activities had to be cancelled this year, we decided to collect ways for you to learn, engage and act as we double-down our commitment to sustainability and building the future we collectively seek, while also celebrating the 50th anniversary of Earth Day.

Below is a list of activities you can do at home to promote sustainability and honor the earth on Earth Day or any day:

  1. Clean out your pantry and donate non-perishable goods
  2. Have professional clothes that could use a new home? Donate
  3. Sustainable art....why not make some yourself! Take the challenge, use only what you already have, and create!
  4. Keep the car in the garage. Instead, try taking a walk or cycling. Enjoy the fresh air and nature.
  5. Practice yoga outdoors while listening to the sounds of Mother Nature.
  6. Recycle - if you don't have one, set up a recycling center at home.
  7. Invest in a reusable cup.
  8. Turn off lights, televisions, technology, and appliances when not in use.
  9. Plant a vegetable garden.
  10. Use earth friendly cleaning products.
  11. Be a vegetarian for a day.

While not intentional, the epidemic has provided some positive results on campus:

  • Electricity use, and the associated carbon emissions are way down at the campus. Starting in mid-March, our usage dropped to below weekend levels.
  • There is also a lot less solid waste leaving the campus. Our compactors for waste and recycling are only slightly used as we continue to prepare food for the residence halls.
  • The empty parking lots are good indication that fuel is being saved on a large scale. Another large contributor to greenhouse gasses and carbon emissions.

Happy Earth Day!

Valarie Avalone, Chair
Sustainability Steering Committee

Valarie Avalone
Administrative Services
04/21/2020