SNG to Focus the Nation on climate change

Author: Samantha Michaels

In an effort to expand the College's environmental initiatives, students met with a Vermont State Climate Panel on Jan. 21 in McCardell Bicentennial Hall to discuss new policies and opportunities for activism. The dialogue was part of Focus the Nation, a teach-in movement across America to promote global warming solutions. Guests at the event included Vermont State Representative Steven Maier, as well as local activists Laura Asermily and Ron Slabaugh.

According to Ben Wessel '11, the dialogue had a very specific purpose. "[Sunday Night Group] SNG has been talking about conquering the campus, but I'd love it if the student body would turn outward into the town, the state of Vermont and Addison County with climate activism and environmental policy," said Wessel.

Wessel's desire was realized within minutes of the Jan. 21 discussion, as Maier, a Middlebury resident and six-year state legislator, began by sharing a recent history of environmental legislation in Vermont. Next, Asermily, a member of the Middlebury Area Global Warming Action Committee, spoke of driving efficiency and the need to promote alternate forms of transportation and fuel in the local community.

Slabaugh, of the Addison County Organization Network (ACORN), then closed with warning of an energy crisis, explaining that his nascent renewable energy cooperative is promoting locally-made bio-fuels as well as a source for locally-generated electricity.

With the presentations completed, students expressed a strong desire to aid the speakers in their efforts. Maier proposed an internship project to create an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions at the College, and Asermily suggested that students help coordinate environmental committees at nearby high schools.

Maier also welcomed students to join her in endeavors to expand ACTR shuttle services, make Middlebury more pedestrian-friendly and enhance driver education programs, while further inviting students to design energy-efficiency workshops as part of a Green Energy Exposition - which comes to the College on March 1.

It is likely that SNG will pursue these invitations. As explained by Wessel, the student organization has already forged a relationship with Aurora School, an alternative elementary school in town, working with a small group of students in an "Anti-Global Warming Group" to create reusable shopping bags for the community. Made from old, ripped or donated parachute material, the bags will be compactible and portable - small enough to fit effortlessly inside a purse or jacket.

Wessel also expects that SNG will aid Asermily in the upcoming Green Energy Exposition, and he hopes to contact Slabaugh about future ACORN projects.

"People forget that we're in a place, like in a town and in a county and in a state," said Wessel. "It's not just a bubble. We've done so much stuff at the College that it feels like we have no one to rebel against here in terms of environmental stuff. It's now a matter of finding bigger foes and tougher fights."

Bonnie Frye Hemphill '08, a member of SNG who attended the Jan. 21 discussion, reiterated the need to reach out and link environmental activism on all levels. In an e-mail interview, she wrote that Focus the Nation encourages this connection. "It's about democracy, it's about ordinary folks from all walks of life realizing we have a lot to gain - together - in stepping up against global warming and for a clean-energy future," she wrote.

The student meeting with the Vermont State Climate Panel successfully began to narrow the gap between climate initiatives of the College and wider community. Hemphill expressed her hope that this important relationship continues to grow.

"Locals have a lot of perspective and expertise that we lack, while we've got energy and academic resources to offer," she wrote. "Working together will make a far stronger local movement for adapting climate change, and [the Jan. 21] presentation was the first step to bridging campus and town. That said, it's only a first step, and everyone's excited to build that connection much further."