At last night's work session, the State College Borough Council received a report on the initiatives being conducted in the borough to reduce negative impacts on the environment by greenhouse gas emissions.

Brent Yarnal, Penn State geography professor, gave a presentation to the council on local efforts conducted by the St. Andrews Environmental Concerns Committee.

He said Penn State has increased their greenhouse gas emissions 21.4 percent since 1990. Energy use is the main source of the emissions.

According to a chart that Yarnal showed the council, if emissions continue as much as they have in the past, by the year 2012, there will be a 56.3 percent increase in greenhouse gas emissions since the 1990 baseline.

Malcolm Woolen, a member of the environmental concerns committee, told council that the committee was formed with the goals of promoting environmental issues and educating both the congregation of St. Andrews church and the community as a whole.

Yarnal said he hoped the borough would want to actively join in the efforts the committee has made so far.

Borough Manager Tom Fountaine said he thought this was a worthwhile project and the council is interested in getting involved with reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Richard Virgil, a member of the clergy at St. Andrews, said he thought this was a very positive program.

"It has the possibility of adding greatly to the quality of life in the borough," Virgil said.

Yarnal told the council that the borough should mitigate greenhouse gas emissions due to the benefits to society, the community and the university that would occur as a result.

The borough could save money by reducing energy and materials use, he said.

Yarnal also said that this increase in emissions as well as the increasing cost of electricity would affect Penn State's bottom line and eventually drive up tuition.

"The climate is changing as a result of human activities," Yarnal said. "The way for us to lessen the rate of climate change and eventually turn it around is through modifying our activities and reducing greenhouse gas activities."

Council President Cathy Dauler said there are many ways that citizens can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as turning the thermostat down one degree each night and leaving lights off when not home.

Yarnal told the council that although the U.S. Federal Government has not yet tackled the issue of global warming, many states and municipalities have chosen to discuss the issue.

"For this to be successful, we need to bring in the local government along with citizens and members of the business community," Yarnal said.

Yarnal said the committee's plan is to involve stakeholders and help the borough develop a mitigation plan in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He also said the committee is interested in doing this for free, adding they are experienced in raising money for things similar to this project.

Council member Ron Filippelli suggested that in addition to participating in the project, the borough council should also be putting together a list of ways that citizens can reduce greenhouse gases and sending that list out to members of the community.