Why This Project Matters
We are living in a time of increasing awareness about the effect of humanity on the environment. As technology and awareness develop, it is important that Marlboro College take a close look at its impact on its surroundings. Most importantly, we mean to foster a close relationship between Marlboro College and the environment here on Potash Hill. In what ways does the environment affect us? In what ways do we affect it? What resources from our own land do we depend on? What current practices can we easily change that will make a difference, and what kind of a difference will such changes make?
Some facts and figures that reveal the importance of this project include the indecent amount of paper cups that we go through in the dining hall on a regular basis. We purchase five cases of 1,000 paper cups a week, on average, at $65 a case ($300 per week). That makes for approximately 715 paper cups ($45) used per day, with a student body of less than 300. We consider this to be unacceptable. Additionally, the dorms and buildings of Marlboro college are partially old barns and blacksmith shops, and are far from efficient. Last year we conducted a Thermal House survey of all the buildings on campus to find that a great deal of heat was escaping the buildings due largely to poor insulation. These are things that can be changed with proper intention.
We are a part of the environment, not separate from it. If we are to have a healthy relationship with the earth, we must change the fundamental way in which we conceive of the environment and our place in it. The question then becomes not so much whether we use resources sparingly but why. The large-scale change that needs to occur will not take place simply by telling people that it is good to bike to work, take shorter showers, or compost their food scraps. The motivation behind turning off the lights when you leave a room or growing your own vegetables must come from a genuine concern for the earth and all its inhabitants. So how to foster this connection? How to inspire genuine concern?
This may ultimately come in many forms, but we believe that by addressing and measuring the tangible components of this relationship, we can bring awareness to what lies underneath. We have chosen eight areas by which to assess Marlboro's sustainability, and created a report that we feel uniquely addresses Marlboro's particular qualities. There is a great deal of potential here at Marlboro for positive change, and much interest within the community to support any such endeavors. We hope that this report will provide a foundation for any and all future efforts to improve Marlboro’s sustainability.
