The
SpringHillian December 3, 2015
Volume 101 Issue 6
Ad Majorem Del Gloriam
A Church-Wide, Campus-Wide, World-Wide Call to Recycle By: Jacquelyn Saunee Contributing writer Climate change. Sustainability. Going green. Recycling. These are just some of many buzz phrases concerning the current state of and the future of the environment. These words, however, are permeating more than cafeteria conversations about Styrofoam cups, and classroom discussions on what exactly climate change entails. Major world forces, from the Catholic Church to the United Nations, are in the midst of tackling this topic. Here at Spring Hill College, students and faculty are taking note and making changes. On May 24, 2015, Pope Francis issued his second encyclical and the first encyclical centered on environmental issues: Laduto Si’: On Care for Our Common Home. This encyclical generated a great deal of attention from people both within and outside of the Catholic Church. In his historic congressional address on Sept. 24, Pope Francis referenced his latest encyclical: “In Laudato Si’, I call for a courageous and responsible effort to ‘redirect our steps,’ and to avert the most serious effects of the environmental deterioration caused by human activity.” The world listened as the leader of the Catholic Church addressed the United States Congress and called for environmental change. According to un.org, “the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are continuing to increase and on the present path, global temperature rise will far exceed the goal to limit of two degrees Celsius that countries have agreed upon to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change.” Change is necessary; 2014 was the hottest year on record, and as greenhouses gases continue to increase, temperatures will only continue to follow suit. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, representatives from around the world will address this climate change at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, France. The goal of the conference, according to un.org, is to create a universal cli-
mate agreement. According to catholicnews.com, Cardinal Peter Turkson, the lead consultant on the papal encyclical on the environment, expressed his desire for the U.N. representatives to utilize Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical when making decisions: “It is the hope and desire of the Holy
and use the rest of creation more broadly.” Recycling is one of these concrete steps towards combating climate change. At Spring Hill, an ad hoc recycling committee made up of various faculty members and students is currently in the process of working towards a permanent recycling infrastructure.
fiable plastic containers located behind Plant Ops. Green Keepers, according to Bordas, will separate the pile by material in order to facilitate the recycling process. This, however, is just a temporary solution. Bordas explained that the college will soon work in conjunction with Goodwill Easter Seals’ recycling center located in West Mobile. Sarah Boccardo, Director of Sustainability for Goodwill Easter Seals, shared that after partnering with the University of South Alabama, she was “interested in seeing if she could help Spring Hill in the same way.” Boccardo explains that in order for Goodwill Easter Seals to begin picking up recycling on-campus, Spring Hill must provide a waterproof, covered area for the cardboard palettes that are necessary to place the large recycling containers on, so that the box trucks can easily pick up the recycling. The road to this area, which will be located behind Plant Ops, must also be properly paved. Bordas explains that SHC is in the process of meeting both of those requirements. Andrew Pettus, junior class senator, shares that Spring Hill hopes to have them in place by next semester. Pettus also explains that next semester, SGA will make minimal investments towards disposable recyclable containers. This will serve as a “trial period” to determine what types of containers will work best for this campus. Another aspect of providing The stockpile of recyclables currently accumulating behind Plant Ops. Photo by: Jacquelyn Saunee campus-wide recycling is acquiring funding. Bordas explained that she, See that the guidance of Laudato Dr. Lesli Bordas, assistant profes- along with the recycling committee, Si’ will provide the moral fiber (for sor of chemistry and moderator of is currently writing a grant and prothe conference).” Turkson continued Green Keepers, created the com- posal to take to Spring Hill’s senate. by saying, “I am hoping the world's mittee in an effort to improve on- The proposal, she shares, includes a leaders in Paris will come away campus recycling. She explains that plan to offer an optional $5 “green with concrete gestures and actions.” Spring Hill College does, contrary fee” to all students and faculty. Dr. Stephen Wilson, professor of to popular belief, recycle. However, Bordas shared her belief that the theology, explains how the encycli- the recycling process is currently in issue of recycling needs the support cal addresses these concrete gestures a transitional state. of everyone on-campus: “It’s your and actions: “Toward the end of the Currently, all recyclable materi- life, take control of it. If you want it, encyclical [Pope Francis] talks about als collected “since the beginning make it happen.” how certain ‘small’ actions like re- of this year have been stockpiling,” duction in consumption and recy- said Bordas. This stockpile is a heapcling can serve as practices that help ing pile of plastic water bottles, glass cultivate virtues that help us view beer bottles and a slew of unidenti-