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Shifting Gears to Green at Loyalist College

October 25, 2010

If you’ve ever wondered what the positive environmental impact would be if more of us traveled to work or school via “green” methods, you’ll be pleased to know that Loyalist College students have been wondering the same thing. And, they’re working hard to find out the answer.

This week, third-year environmental students have organized the College’s first ever “Shifting Gears” campaign, to encourage students and staff to travel to the campus by any means of transportation other than a single use vehicle. Suggested means of travel include biking, walking, city bus, ride sharing, or even working from home.

Eric Bauer, a Biosciences Professor, and the College Sustainability Initiative Coordinator, said, “This pilot project mirrors a sustainable transportation initiative that has been running in Peterborough for the last three years. Our intent is to trial the program this week and then run it again in the 30 days leading up to Earth Day in April 2011. At that time, we hope to partner with the Hastings and Prince Edward Counties Health Unit, Quinte Conservation and the City of Belleville.”

Professor Bauer goes on to say, “The project is part of the Transportation pillar of the College’s sustainability initiative and is connected with an ongoing effort to bring a multi-purposed trail to the school from the city centre.”

The premise around Shifting Gears is one that many students overwhelmingly support as suggested by the answers provided in a recent survey that asked them for their green initiative ideas.  More car pooling, biking, and use of public transportation were familiar themes throughout the survey results document. 

Third-year environmental students working on the project expect to have a report available in the coming weeks that will provide a snapshot of the carbon dioxide offset by the students and staff who are participating.

The report will also provide recommendations about how to take this pilot project forward as an ongoing initiative beginning March 2011 and leading up to Earth Day, April 22.

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Media Contact:  Edina Cappuccitti, College Advancement & External Relations, Loyalist College, (613) 969-1913, ext. 2392 or Eric Bauer, Sustainability Initiative Coordinator, Loyalist College (613) 969-1913, ext. 2300

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