On Dairy Lane, only a short drive from campus, sits a brick house that is over 100 years old. At the time it was built, the house may have been intended to be a quiet, secluded home among lofty trees (which it still is). But now, the home is serving a purpose that would probably surprise its original builders: It is a fully sustainable household run with the hopes of exemplifying the future of environmental stability.
The overhaul began in 2004, when a group of Ohio University students and faculty and Athens community members came together with the goal to build a home that would illustrate solutions to wasteful energy practices. The group approached the Ecology and Energy Conservation Committee at OU and wrote a proposal indicating the need for education about green living, especially in Ohio. As indicated by the Ecohouse, Ohio is “often ranked in the top three states of the country for releasing the highest amount of environmental toxins into the air and water.” The university supported the project as an aspect of “Vision Ohio,” a document outlining OU’s top academic priorities.
A university-owned house was chosen and the renovations began in August 2005. The first improvement installed was a solar electric array–the flat black panels can be seen tilted toward the sun in the side yard. It has already offset over 6,514 pounds of greenhouse gases. According to the EPA, about 9,000 pounds of greenhouse gases are emitted per person in the average US household.
Nathan Jud, a senior Plant Biology student and Ecohouse resident, said that the project is meant to illustrate that one house “is a part of a bigger system.” Nathan was one of the several students who helped launch the project. Two junior undergrads, Hallie Morris and Tyler Dawson, currently share the space with Jud. The residents conduct research committees and write proposals for all changes made to the house. So far, this has ranged from energy-saving appliances to a solar-heated water system to improved installation made of shredded newspaper. There is even an alternative fueling station functioning out of the Ecohouse, with a greasel filtration system that recycles grease (from restaurants, for example) to power cars.
But these considerable changes are not the only ways that the Ecohouse demonstrates how we can effectively conserve energy and live a more sustainable lifestyle. The house also engages in composting, maintains a vegetable garden, and uses non-toxic household cleaners. These are the easiest ways for homes that may not be able to make the large initial investment required for new appliances and solar-energy to adopt green living. Jud mentioned that another simple way to conserve household energy is by using compact florescent light bulbs, which can significantly decrease electric bills (usually by around $10).
The Ecohouse not only serves as a demonstration home, but also provides community outreach and education, which Jud said is one of the most important aspects of the project. The amount of research involved in purchasing an energy-efficient appliance is often confusing, not to mention time-consuming, for new sustainability-seeking consumers. Jud and his roommates hope that by doing the research for the Ecohouse, they will be able to decrease this burden by providing the relevant information. The house is also a social outlet, hosting monthly tours, potlucks and workshops.
In a little over a year, the Ecohouse has become one of the most positive examples of OU’s mission to initiate solutions to national challenges. With a greywater treatment system, a solar greenhouse, and a nature trail in the works for future improvements, the Ecohouse exemplifies sustainability to the max. •
Showing posts with label Kelsey McCoy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kelsey McCoy. Show all posts
Feb 23, 2008
Internationally acclaimed peace activist to speak in Athens
Medea Benjamin’s 20 years of experience in international activist organizing has made her one of the most recognizable leaders of the anti-war movement (and an “Anti-American” target for right-wingers). Benjamin received an infamous reputation in the mainstream media when she protested the Iraq War by interrupting the speeches of President Bush, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and others. Refusing to allow her advocacy for peace to be confined to “free-speech zones,” Benjamin’s direct approach has inspired women from around the world to raise their collective voices in protest.
In 2002, Benjamin and several other co-founders of CODEPINK, a women-initiated grassroots organization, called on “mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters, on workers, students, teachers, healers, artists, writers, singers, poets and every ordinary outraged woman willing to be outrageous for peace.” The group has been an important component of a movement that continues to grow.
Along with countless protests in the states, CODEPINK has organized women internationally. A delegation of 15 women traveled to Iraq to forge relationships and understanding with Iraqi women, whose stories are being shared across the United States. The accomplishments of CODEPINK, including the distribution of over $600,000 in aid to Iraq, continue to initiate peacemaking coalitions in Iran, Italy, Turkey, Great Britain, Thailand, Brazil and Venezuela.
Benjamin recently teamed up with Jodie Evans to edit a book entitled “Stop the Next War Now,” which features essays by a diverse group of women who offer criticism, insight and reflections about international violence and terrorism.
Benjamin’s work for peace has received international recognition. In 2005, Benjamin was nominated alongside 1,000 women from 140 countries to collectively receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Benjamin is also the Founding Director of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Global Exchange, which aspires to create awareness about the relationship between international injustice and corporate globalization. Campaigns include increasing economic fair-trade and environmental advocacy, ending US occupation of Iraq, and increasing partnership among other NGOs.•
Kelsey is a staff reporter for The InterActivist.
In 2002, Benjamin and several other co-founders of CODEPINK, a women-initiated grassroots organization, called on “mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters, on workers, students, teachers, healers, artists, writers, singers, poets and every ordinary outraged woman willing to be outrageous for peace.” The group has been an important component of a movement that continues to grow.
Along with countless protests in the states, CODEPINK has organized women internationally. A delegation of 15 women traveled to Iraq to forge relationships and understanding with Iraqi women, whose stories are being shared across the United States. The accomplishments of CODEPINK, including the distribution of over $600,000 in aid to Iraq, continue to initiate peacemaking coalitions in Iran, Italy, Turkey, Great Britain, Thailand, Brazil and Venezuela.
Benjamin recently teamed up with Jodie Evans to edit a book entitled “Stop the Next War Now,” which features essays by a diverse group of women who offer criticism, insight and reflections about international violence and terrorism.
Benjamin’s work for peace has received international recognition. In 2005, Benjamin was nominated alongside 1,000 women from 140 countries to collectively receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
Benjamin is also the Founding Director of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Global Exchange, which aspires to create awareness about the relationship between international injustice and corporate globalization. Campaigns include increasing economic fair-trade and environmental advocacy, ending US occupation of Iraq, and increasing partnership among other NGOs.•
Kelsey is a staff reporter for The InterActivist.
Feb 19, 2008
Fair court alliance Ohio: a coalition to stop Alito
by Kelsey McCoy
Confirmation hearings for the nomination of Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court began on Monday, January 9. Alito is a 55 year old conservative jurist on the federal appeals court. Alito would potentially bring a conservative judicial philosophy to the Supreme Court. And with justices serving on the Supreme Court for life, Alito could be shaping American law for at least the next thirty years.
In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Alito wrote in dissent that a woman should be forced, by law, to notify her husband if she decides to have an abortion, restricting privacy rights. In U.S v. Rybar, Alito argued in dissent that banning possession of fully automatic, repeating machine guns is unconstitutional. In Public Interest Research Group v. Magnesium Electron, Alito sided with a corporate polluter, erasing their $2.62 million fine for violating the Clean Water Act 150 times.
A coalition has come together to oppose the nomination. Fair Court Alliance Ohio includes InterAct, Students for Peace and Justice, College Democrats, Open Doors, VOX, the OU chapters of the Sierra Club and ACLU as well as student organizations at Ohio State and Cincinnati State. The group has worked to draw media attention to the issue through tabling three or four times a week. At the tables, coalition members took pictures of students for a photo petition.
The photo petition visually exemplifies opposition of students across the country. The petition is legitimate, but is intended more to draw attention from the media, as well as students. The photo petition includes pictures of students holding signs that say why they oppose Alito’s nomination. The signs include things like “My body, my choice” and “Prevent Alit-opression”. You can check out the petition online at www.alitosamerica.org.
The coalition is just getting started, but VOX (a pro-choice group run by Planned Parenthood) has been working on a campaign since the confirmation of Chief Justice Roberts. VOX representative Alyssa Jerzyk said that Planned Parenthood is careful about the decision to oppose a Supreme Court nominee. “The fact that we opposed Alito right out of the gate illustrated just how terrible Alito is for women’s rights,” Jerzyk said. The VOX campaign includes distributing signature cards that will be sent in mass to Senator DeWine, urging him to “oppose any Supreme Court nominee who does not believe the Constitution protects a woman’s right to choose”.
This article is being published close to the vote for confirmation. To write Senator DeWine, send letters to: Sen. Mike DeWine, 140 Russell Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510. The photo petition will be available at tables on campus weekly. For more information, visit www.alitosamerica.org.
Confirmation hearings for the nomination of Justice Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court began on Monday, January 9. Alito is a 55 year old conservative jurist on the federal appeals court. Alito would potentially bring a conservative judicial philosophy to the Supreme Court. And with justices serving on the Supreme Court for life, Alito could be shaping American law for at least the next thirty years.
In Planned Parenthood v. Casey, Alito wrote in dissent that a woman should be forced, by law, to notify her husband if she decides to have an abortion, restricting privacy rights. In U.S v. Rybar, Alito argued in dissent that banning possession of fully automatic, repeating machine guns is unconstitutional. In Public Interest Research Group v. Magnesium Electron, Alito sided with a corporate polluter, erasing their $2.62 million fine for violating the Clean Water Act 150 times.
A coalition has come together to oppose the nomination. Fair Court Alliance Ohio includes InterAct, Students for Peace and Justice, College Democrats, Open Doors, VOX, the OU chapters of the Sierra Club and ACLU as well as student organizations at Ohio State and Cincinnati State. The group has worked to draw media attention to the issue through tabling three or four times a week. At the tables, coalition members took pictures of students for a photo petition.
The photo petition visually exemplifies opposition of students across the country. The petition is legitimate, but is intended more to draw attention from the media, as well as students. The photo petition includes pictures of students holding signs that say why they oppose Alito’s nomination. The signs include things like “My body, my choice” and “Prevent Alit-opression”. You can check out the petition online at www.alitosamerica.org.
The coalition is just getting started, but VOX (a pro-choice group run by Planned Parenthood) has been working on a campaign since the confirmation of Chief Justice Roberts. VOX representative Alyssa Jerzyk said that Planned Parenthood is careful about the decision to oppose a Supreme Court nominee. “The fact that we opposed Alito right out of the gate illustrated just how terrible Alito is for women’s rights,” Jerzyk said. The VOX campaign includes distributing signature cards that will be sent in mass to Senator DeWine, urging him to “oppose any Supreme Court nominee who does not believe the Constitution protects a woman’s right to choose”.
This article is being published close to the vote for confirmation. To write Senator DeWine, send letters to: Sen. Mike DeWine, 140 Russell Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510. The photo petition will be available at tables on campus weekly. For more information, visit www.alitosamerica.org.
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