A Publication for the faculty, staff, administrators and friends of California State University, Chico
March. 10, 2005 Volume 35 / Number 5

The role of this column has been to keep you updated on "greening" activities. This month we want to focus on three events that have seen students, faculty and staff reach out beyond the boundaries of Chico.

On February 19 th and 20 th forty students from seven campuses met in the BMU to discuss strategies for encouraging the Chancellor and Board of Trustees to move the Cal State system toward renewable energy and energy efficiency. The student-led ReNewCSU campaign came to Chico State last month when students on the Associated Students Environmental Affairs Council hosted a convergence. Student leaders from across the CSU system want to see a reduction in energy consumption of 20% by 2014, and an increase in purchasing from renewable energy sources of 25% by 2014. Additionally, these student leaders called for all new CSU construction to meet at least LEED certified silver standards. President Paul Zingg, while addressing these students, said he supported their efforts at "moral leadership" for California’s future and that he would like to see all new construction at CSU Chico strive for LEED Gold standards.

Four days later, students from the Plant Science Club joined with faculty in the College of Agriculture to host an all day conference on organic agriculture for members of the industry as well as the community in general. Dean of the College, Charles Crabb, opened the conference and noted that agriculture is changing. Where past efforts centered on increasing production, the industry is now focused on providing what the consumer wants. As a corollary, Denise Carter, President of the North Valley Chapter of the CCOF, recalled a recent visit to Trader Joe's where she observed that one-third of merchandise was now organic. Bill Kruger of UCCE reinforced this theme of consumer preference for organic when he pointed out that for the first time, more organic produce was sold in mainstream mass markets (49%) than in health food stores (48%).

Other changes are also on the horizon in the field of energy, and our students are a part of those efforts as well. Students from engineering and environmental studies joined faculty and staff of North State Renewable Energy to host a conference on solar energy on March 10 th at the Sierra Nevada Brewery. The conference brought together a wide range of stakeholders from around the state. The one hundred and seventy five attendees listened to speakers from the California Energy Commission, PG&E, solar manufacturers, local solar installers, municipal government, the Butte County Rice Commission, and local businesses and homeowners. All who attended walked away educated and inspired to begin the move to a sustainable solar economy.

Sustainably yours.