Jamie Douglas

What's in it for me?

This year’s freshman summer reading choice, Deep Economy by Bill McKibben, was perhaps not the most rousing of choices; nevertheless, it was an excellent selection for initiating dialogue about our future. In the book, McKibben argues that we must reject the assumption that an increase in economic growth and possessions will make us more content. Judging by the way we are heading, there will not be enough resources available for everyone to achieve more, and there will not be enough replenishment of those resources to sustain anything even closely resembling our current lifestyle. According to McKibben, the key to greater progress is to slow the consumer demand that impacts the availability of resources. He proposes that a household needs to earn $10,000 per inhabitant to achieve the optimal level of contentment; earning more than that has no further positive effect.

On this point, there is much disagreement. Associate Professor of Economics at RIT, Dr. Jeanette Mitchell, found that McKibben’s proposal “went against the basic principles of capitalism,” a system that prides itself on finding the most cost-effective way to provide goods and services for a competitive price. Says Mitchell, “The concept of placing a uniform amount of money that creates optimal happiness is ridiculous because everyone’s idea of what would make them content is completely subjective and unique to them.” In this aspect, I am much more inclined to agree with Mitchell. Surely, the environment in which a person is raised has a huge influence on what they define as “comfortable!”

Despite this, many readers found the environmental aspect of Deep Economy quite resonant. New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), a nonpartisan and not-for-profit environmental and consumer advocacy organization based in New York State, would agree that an immediate change needs to occur in both government policy and society in order for a positive environmental change to occur. For the past two summers, NYPIRG has been working to establish an energy plan that makes use of wind, water, and solar power to supplement our current energy sources with the intention of eventually decrease the pollution output of New York State associated with energy production. Another popular campaign that was specifically environmental was the creation of the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, which will allow consumers to receive a five cent deposit amount for beverage containers that were not currently on the deposit system. NYPIRG considers that small changes, when executed smartly and with substantial support, have the potential to create huge impacts on our daily lives.

How is RIT keeping up? The institute has shown considerable commitment to the value of sustainability during the past school year. Some of the simplest measures have resulted from Dining Services working with the Student Environmental Action League (SEAL), most of which had little to no impact on the way in which we receive and consume our food on campus. Unbleached napkins were used at every on-campus eatery for an entire year of food service. During Spring Quarter, Gracie’s eliminated tray usage except for those with disabilities, which created an immediate decrease in the amount of food waste and helped to conserve the amount of water and cleaning supplies required to clean the utensils at Gracie’s.

At the same time, the RITz was undergoing experimental use of biodegradable utensils and containers made from corn or recycled paper. Though eventually deemed too costly, this effort was a step in the right direction. And according to the RIT Green website, baking soda is now the cleaning agent of choice throughout campus.

As a campus, approximately 35% of our energy usage is supplied by green (or eco-friendly) sources of energy, including nuclear, hydro, and wind power. Heating, cooling, and electrical renovations are also expected to increase RIT’s energy efficiency, and will be continuing through Fall 2009.

The new academic year will bring with it the introduction of RIT’s first Farmer’s Market every Thursday during the Fall. It will feature organic produce whose fertilizer was composted waste generated through RIT’s food preparation service. This year has also brought about a new dedication to improved mass transit and pedestrian travel, with many more RIT shuttles available to go off campus or to Park Point and the RIT Inn. The loop around the RIT campus has also become more pedestrian and biker friendly, with a wide sidewalk that has almost completely been installed throughout the campus. Along with the wide sidewalks, several sheltered bike racks are expected to be installed during the school year.

For more on RIT’s effort to increase sustainability, visit http://www.rit.edu/fa/ritgreen and learn what you can do to help with these efforts. To become involved with SEAL, go to http://www.rit.edu/sg/seal or contact one of the current officers for more information.