One of the biggest environmental problems our generation will have to face is going to be confronted this year, and many Penn State students are stepping up to the challenge: conquering global warming.
MTV and the Campus Climate Challenge announced on Wednesday plans to launch the "Break the Addiction Challenge," a nationwide competition open to all high school and college students to stop global warming, starting with changing policies at their own schools.
"It's our responsibility not to be so wasteful," co-president of Eco- Action of PSU Johanna Mirenda said. She said Eco-Action has been running its own climate campaign for two years now.
The Challenge will compel students to come together and adopt 100 percent clean energy policies at their schools, said Kim Teplitzky, Sierra Student Coalition's regional challenge organizer for Pennsylvania. She said more than 300 universities in the U.S. and Canada are working on the challenge.
"There are small things individuals can do to conserve energy, but to really make a difference, students need to come together," she said.
Students at Penn State are asking the administration to become compliant with the Kyoto Protocol and reduce greenhouse gas emissions as the first step toward making Penn State a model of sustainability, Mirenda said.
There will be three challenges students will have to conquer this year to win the competition.
In the fall, MTV will reward the top five schools that have acquired media coverage of their campus activities and have publicized their solutions to global warming.
In the spring, MTV will recognize two schools for achieving a 100 percent clean energy policy.
Finally, at the end of the year, MTV will recognize the high schools or colleges that did the overall best job of organizing the Campus Climate Challenge. This includes getting administration to pass policies reducing global warming pollution, educating the student body about global warming and coming up with solutions to the problem.
Winning campuses may receive cash prizes for their continuing efforts or an "eco-renovation" of their student lounge, as well as the chance to be featured in an MTV on-air news segment, according to an MTV press release.
"As far as we're concerned, having our campaign follow through is all we need," Mirenda said.
An energy plan is going to be discussed at the Board of Trustees meeting Friday, Mirenda said. She also noted if students want to get involved, they should attend the Eco-Action kick-off meeting tonight at 7 in 105 Willard.
"By doing this we're making a difference and setting a good example. We're showing everyone that Penn State is not just a party school; we do care about the environment," said Ly Ea (senior-hotel, restaurant and institutional management).
"So, bring on the challenge," she added.
