November Newsletter from Barnard EcoReps:

NOVEMBER IS ENERGY & CLIMATE CHANGE MONTH!!

Hey, all you eco-friendly Barnardinas! We hope you had an amazing time learning about environmentally sustainable food during October’s Food Month, but now as the cold is finally settling in and the winds are starting to blow, we’re moving indoors and cranking up the thermostats--and it’s time to think about energy: how much we use, where it comes from, and how it affects our environment. November is Energy & Climate Change Month, and we hope that you’ll take the opportunity to ask yourself some questions and learn something new about ways you can cut down on energy and address global warming. So come check out our events, discussions, lobby hours, and more! We can’t wait to see you!

Top 5 Energy-Saving Tips For Your Average Barnard Gal On The Run:
Well, we’ve all heard the news—sometimes it just seems to get more apocalyptic by the day: the planet is warming, the seas are rising, oil prices are soaring, the arctic is melting--and don’t even get me started on those polar bears! What’s a Barnard woman to do??
We’ve got a couple suggestions—some simple steps you can take right now to cut down on your energy use and mitigate your carbon footprint.

1. THE BASICS. These are the ones you already know: turn off the lights (and TV) when you leave the room—in common rooms and bathrooms, too! Wash your clothes in cold water (the “brights” cycle) and put on a sweater instead of turning up the heat.
2. Use Your New CFL! (Yeah, that one we gave you when you checked in!)

• Compact fluorescent lightbulbs use 75% less energy than normal incandescent ones, and can last ten times longer!
• Unplug It! Electrical appliances and gadgets suck up energy as long as they’re plugged in, even if they’re “off”. Unplug your cell phone and camera chargers when you’re not using them. Use a power-strip to plug in stereos, chargers and lamps, and switch it off when you leave the room!
• Green that Computer! Enable the “sleep mode” on your computer, so it requires less energy when you’re not using it. And set it to “hibernate” after 30 minutes of inactivity. (Windows: Control Panel. Mac: System Preferences.)
• Get on the 1 Train! When traveling around the city, use public transit, ride your bike, or walk! You’re in New York City! Low-emission traveling has never been easier!
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But most of all: Get informed!! Come talk to an EcoRep, check out your EcoRep’s bulletin board for resources and information, or come to one of our events!

CHECK OUT THESE NOVEMBER EVENTS!!

Thursday, Nov 15 – Potluck with the EcoReps!
Sulz Lobby, 5:30-7 pm
The ingredients are environmentally-sustainable, local, or organic. The cooking is out of this world. And the conversation? (bio)dynamic!
We bring the food! You just bring yourself!

Wednesday, Nov 28– Alternative Energy Demo!
Lewis Parlor, ALL DAY!
Ever actually handled a solar panel? Want to know how wind power really works? Interested in drinking smoothies blended by bike-a-thon? Come get up close and personal with some of the alternative energy sources you’ve heard about.

Thursday, Nov 29 – EcoReps Speaker Series!
Lewis Parlor, 6:30pm
Chasing History with Hockey Sticks:
Reconstructing the Climate of the Last Millennium
Jason Smerdon of LDEO & the Barnard Environmental Science Department lays it all out. Trust us: this man’s the expert, and this show it not to be missed!

ALL MONTH LONG: Go Cold Turkey! is an undergraduate-wide competition sponsored by EarthCo and your EcoReps! Students are asked to sign a pledge, committing to turning off lights and unplugging everything—appliances, chargers, stereos, all of it!--before leaving for Thanksgiving Break. The dorm with the greatest number of pledges wins a free breakfast!

Plus keep an eye out for ‘Ask An EcoRep’ Lobby Hours—every week, in Sulz Lobby!

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October Newsletter from Barnard EcoReps:

Hello first-year focus residents!!!

As many of you know, the ecoreps are sponsoring amazing programming
based on monthly themes. October is all about... FOOD! (Check out the Bulletin Boards!)

Food has significant influence in many aspects of our lives -
some obvious (our health, our social lives, our mood...), and others
not so much (our role in the economy, our role in ecological
systems...). This month, we the ecoreps want to convince you that
eating is an agricultural act, and decisions about what & how
we eat have important consequences for our planet.

Keep your eyes open and ears alert for updates as the month goes on.

We're THRILLED to be working with you all! Don't hesitate to email us
with questions, RSVPs, or just to say hello: barnardecoreps@gmail.com

Love, Your Ecoreps

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ONCAMPUS EVENTS:

HARVEST DINNER!!!
Where: Hewitt Dining Hall
When: Thursday, October 18th
Details: Expect AMAZING local foods, your ecoreps in full-force,
drawings & prizes, and a whole lotta fun.

LUNCHES WITH GOLDI
Where: Hewitt Dining Hall
When: Thursdays at 12pm/noon
Details: Goldi from Dining Services wants to hear from YOU about your
concerns, desires, & dreams (relating to food of course).

MOVIE NIGHTS
Where: Sulz Lobby
When: TBA
Details: Future of Food; Black Gold; Real Dirt on Farmer John; Fast
Food Nation... watch out for it!

"POTLUCK" DISCUSSION
Where: Sulz Lobby
When: Tuesday, Oct 16th at 7pm
Details:  Organic? Natural? Local? Biodynamic? Fair-trade?
Eco-friendly? Vegan? Sustainable? Want to learn what all these terms
mean?! Come to our round-table dinner discussion! (Note: when we say
"potluck", we mean that the ecoreps will bring delicious dishes and
all you have to do is bring yourself!!)