At the beginning of the semester, I wrote a blog post about the lack of a recycling program in our Journalism School. I was dismayed by the lack of one, but optimistic that a program would eventually be implemented with a reasonable amount of effort.
My predictions turned out to be wrong. There’s more red tape than expected, and frankly I’m confused by some of it. I’m also disappointed by my inability to bring some change to this situation, but at the same time, I think this is bigger than one person.
Running a close second to “Change,” “Going Green” could well be considered the city’s most popular slogan of the year. In keeping with Mayor Bloomberg’s Plan NYC sustainability initiatives, city agencies and grass roots organizations alike have implemented green initiatives throughout the city. One such initiative drew residents out to Bowling Green Park this Fall, as they got their hands dirty and helped to beautify their community.
Armed with gardening tools and gloves, residents of all ages braved the cold to plant the seeds of Spring. Bruce Brodoff, Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications for the Alliance said that the event was, an opportunity to offer an environmentally friendly, fun and recreational activity for residents.
“Lower Manhattan’s residential community has tripled since September 11,” he said. “It used to be an all business community, but now with so many more people living here, we have a real opportunity to introduce residents to Lower Manhattan.”
According to the Department of Parks and Recreation website, “Bowling Green is New York City’s oldest park. According to tradition, this spot served as the council ground for Native American tribes and was the site of the legendary sale of Manhattan to Peter Minuit in 1626. The Dutch called the area “the Plain” and used it for several purposes. It was the beginning of Heere Staat (High Street, now Broadway)—a trade route which extended north through Manhattan and the Bronx. It was also the site of a parade ground, meeting place, and cattle market. In 1686 the site became public property, when the City Charter put all “waste, vacant, unpatented and unappropriated lands” under municipal domain.”
Bowling Green was first designated as a park in 1733. That was more than 200 years ago. Today, it’s still a communal space in the heart of the financial district which suffered tremendous losses after 911, but local area residents continue to see value in maintaining their community and in preserving the park.
Former vice president Al Gore implored us to invest sustainably when he spoke recently at the CUNY Graduate Center. Organizations and individuals should buy stock in companies that have viable long-term strategies (both financially and for our planet), Gore said during a November conference on sustainable investing. He gave examples of companies that build clean energy infrastructure, hybrid vehicles, specialize in ecosystem remediation, etc. In his trademark cowboy boots, he also plugged his sustainable investment management company Generation.
Photo: Courtesy of The Graduate Center of the City University of New York
While brushing my teeth in a hotel room in Vietnam last spring, I absent-mindedly soaked my toothbrush under a flowing tap and lifted it to my mouth. As the water spread across my tongue, I knew instantly I was in trouble. My instincts proved to be correct – I was ill the next day. From then on, I purchased bottles of water in order to brush my teeth.
When I came back to the United States, I was amazed by the amount of fresh water that flowed freely from our taps and garden hoses. Seeing how much fresh water was available here, compared to a developing nation like Vietnam, made me realize that something was amiss.
After this experience, I was very interested to hear about a documentary now touring the United States. It’s called FLOW. The documentary explores the issue of the world water crisis and the privatization of the world’s diminishing fresh water supply. Here is the trailer:
As I slugged down the remains of my caffeinated soda fix, I did a quick survey around the lobby to find the closest recycling bin. With nothing in sight, I held onto my aluminum can and chalked off the lack of bins to opening orientation day at CUNY Journalism School. Surely recycling containers would eventually make their way to our 3rd and 4th floors once school kicked off and started, right?
Five weeks into the semester, and there are still no recycling containers to be found. Sure, one can find some blue bins with the recycling logo in our classrooms. However, instead of being devoted to one particular recyclable item, these bins often contain a messy mixture of food, wrappers, cans, and paper.
So, where exactly are we supposed to put our bottles, cans and other recyclable goods?
It turns out that measures are being taken to install a recycling program at CUNY J-School.
The Brooklyn Children Museum held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday to unveil the newly renovated building, which doubled in size and features all new exhibits.
While the museum boasts about it’s new exhibits, they are not what impressed me most. After all, I am not in the 6 month-12 year age range that they are aimed it. What did impress me, however, was the fact that the museum is New York City’s first “green” museum, certified by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program of the U.S. Green Building Council. (more…)
