The Greening of Volleyball

Click anywhere & add an idea The President's Climate Commitment Colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to eliminate global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality. We hope you will join in supporting the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/ At Kalamazoo College our motto is "be light". In order to be responsible global citizens who are truly " at home in the world," we must work hard to keep our home clean and safe for future generations. Environmental responsibility is therefore at the core of our mission as human beings and as an institution. Where is your campus with sustainability issues? Some two years after President Wilson-Oyelaran signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), the Board of Trustees has set the midpoint of the 21st century as the target date for the College to eliminate its net emissions of greenhouse gasses. Enter Jillian McLaughlin, Kalamazoo College sustainability intern and MIAA Cross Country Champion Who demanded that we look at our athletic department practices: Transportation issues Bus? Vans? Flying? Amtrak? The Green Hornet Invitational Our concessions will benefit a local charity No paper programs will be available; rosters and brackets will be on posters in the lobby Kalamazoo College sustainability interns will be present to answer questions and educate Incentives available for local restaurants within walking distance Saturday morning tournament breakfast at the College Will not sell plastic water bottles nor allow them in the gym. Tap water initiative. Kalamazoo College art major to design and create the championship trophy and all-tournament trophies from recycled materials. OUTCOMES Great feedback More fun Increased Awareness of sustainability issues Less waste at the event Increased teamwork among our players Increased teamwork on Humanity's Team BEST OUTCOME OF ALL: "I play volleyball for the Yellow Jackets and I was in attendance for the Kalmazoo Tournment back in the beginning of September. We went to breakfast with your volleyball team and learned about how you are becoming a "green" campus. Well, long story short, I am doing a project for one of my classes and our focus is on recycling. Our campus has bins for recycling but students don't necessarily use them; therefore, we are trying to develop other ways to push our campus to become more environmentally friendly." Questions ???????? DISCUSSION.... Change is hard we are educators as well as coaches Athletes have to be comfortable being uncomfortable Athletes can be leaders of social and cultural change Triple Bottom Line: Economics, Environment, Ethics Facility issues Lights temperature blinds Air flow electricity and gas use Consumption issues plastics hydration food At the University of Michigan's Men's basketball game vs. Harvard, a "zero waste effort' was held. ‐ Students are major players – and drivers – of the university’s sustainability efforts. At Crisler Arena’s zero waste effort there will be approximately 70 dedicated student volunteers from various student organizations across campus. Why Green Volleyball? Jeanne Hess Kalamazoo College Why not? We have them for four years: