|
You are viewing
Volume 41, Issue 2
September 16, 2003
To return to the current issue please click
here.
|
 |
September 16, 2003
Water, power conservation impacts MCC
Kim
Hosey
Mesa Legend
 |
|
Dennis Mikulich Mesa Legend |
| Groundskeeper Raymond Valencia sits
in a golf cart next to one of MCC’s many temporary lakes created
when the grass is irrigated |
In response to mounting concerns about conserving resources in the Valley,
the Maricopa Community College District (MCCD) is encouraging students
and staff to become more conscientious in order to curb wasteful habits.
Recently, MCC President Larry Christiansen reminded staff to assist with
energy conservation, by following certain MCCD measures such as raising
the room temperature, turning off lights whenever possible, turning off
computers when not in use, and unplugging refrigerators that are not needed.
In light of the recent gas shortage, Christiansen also encouraged employees
to “cancel all nonessential business travel,” and to consider
other options, such as carpooling and telecommuting.
Water conservation is also crucial, since Arizona is in the middle of
a drought.
As a large institution, MCC must strive to conserve resources. As individuals,
MCC students must learn to be aware of the environment, according to Ron
Dinchak, professor of environmental biology and an adviser of the Environmental
Action Club (EAC) at MCC. He said the current generation of students has
been “brainwashed” in the self-centered world of today, and
“they don’t realize, beyond out-of-sight, out-of-mind, what
happens.”
Dinchak stressed the importance of energy conservation, which he said
is “critical.”
He said the majority of energy comes from coal and that habitats are destroyed
every time they are dug up to mine these resources, in addition to damage
caused by pollution when the fossil fuel is burned. He said overusing
energy affects the environment “as negatively as possible.”
Although Arizona is home to the largest nuclear power plant in the United
States, coal is still its biggest source of energy. While the cost of
coal is lower than other sources, coal is a finite resource. Also, the
mining, shipment, and burning of coal to produce energy damage the environment.
Bonnie Kalison, EAC’s other adviser, voiced her concerns over one
method used to transport coal, called a “coal slurry.” Arizona
is home to the only long distance coal slurry pipeline in the country,
a 273-mile-long line which uses groundwater to ship coal from Black Mesa
in Arizona to the Mohave power plant in Southern California. She added
that even if the problem is being addressed, “once groundwater is
contaminated, that is not an easy thing to clean up.”
Burning fossil fuels also adds to air pollution, which affects everyone.
Air and groundwater pollution are just a few ways energy use affects the
environment every day.
Dinchak said he believes that everyone at MCC is aware of the need for
conservation. However, he adds, “what often dictates conservation
is the financial aspect.” He said the staff and faculty at MCC are
addressing conservation as much as possible given the limited resources
available.
David Yount, an MCC professor who teaches environmental ethics, agrees.
“I think MCC employees are doing a good job conserving energy,”
he said. He also pointed out that the recent East Coast power outage reminded
many people that it is possible, and sometimes necessary, to live without
power. He said these “involuntary power outages” as well as
conscious conservation “really help you appreciate just how much
we have here in America.”
To conserve water, Yount said, “We should really be watching our
use – individually and as a state. We should be restricting water
use for lawns and gardens. There are lots of possibilities, as I see it.”
Kalison also stressed the importance of water conservation. “The
drought is certainly a reality,” she said. “This is real.
We’re in trouble here.”
One opportunity that the EAC has taken is to use natural desert, or Xeriscape,
landscaping in some places at MCC. The drought-resistant plants used in
Xeriscape landscaping use much less water than grass. Dinchak and Kalison
are enthusiastic about the project, and hope to eventually replace more
grass with native plants. “There are many things we can do on campus,
and we’re gradually doing them; it just takes time and money,”
Dinchak said.
He added that more people working on the Xeriscape and other projects
to conserve and protect the environment would help, but said, “As
long as you’re making progress, that’s what’s important.”
Dinchak said MCC is responsive to environmental needs, and cited their
decision to reduce over-seeding – or planting and watering separate
grass on top of dormant grass in the winter – in response to the
city’s request to help save water.
Dinchak added that gasoline conservation is still important, and said
he hopes people will continue to conserve gas, but conceded, “I
think we have short memories. We’re in such a busy society, and
the Valley itself with the urban sprawl is set up for waste.”
Yount agrees, and said he hopes to see more hybrid, fuel-efficient cars
on the road. “If you don’t set high expectations and require
an increase (in fuel efficiency), it’s likely well see more of what
we have out there now,” he said.
Yount agrees that individual awareness is crucial. “We’re
all in this together, either helping or hurting ourselves, and by ‘ourselves,’
I mean future generations,” he said.
Dinchak echoed the sentiment. “The reality is, I think everybody
on this planet deserves clean air and clean water.”
Back to Top
| Previous Page | Home
|
|
|
