Green Thinking
Thoughts about making NAPC 2009 a “Green Conference“
Contributed by the Geobiology Students, Department of Geological Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
It is our hope that all participants in NAPC 2009 will “think green“. With this in mind, here are some tips:
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switch off air conditioners, lights and fans in dormitory rooms and restrooms before departing the dorms for the day’s activities. More daily conservation ideas can be found at the International Coral Reef Conference website: http://coral.aoml.noaa.gov/pipermail/coral-list/2008-January/036876.html
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use digital cameras for personal and professional pictures, not film cameras. Developing film can produce a lot of waste (especially unwanted photos) and involves toxic chemicals.
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use green bags for shopping trips: http://www.nova.edu/ncri/11icrs/11icrs_greenbag.pdf
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request programs and publications printed on recycled paper, or order CDs
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for coffee/water breaks, use the refillable NAPC 2009 drink cup that will provided to all participants. In addition to coffee urns, large containers of water will be provided during breaks, instead of individually packaged bottles of water or other soft drinks.
For those who will organize “green conferences” in the future, here are a few ideas and websites that may be of value:
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display a large recyclable banner that says something to the effect of “we are a green conference” in the main entrance to get people involved
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produce an electronic CD for all the abstracts from the conference
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encourage companies participating in job fairs, etc, to give out re-usable and useful freebies (or nothing!) at their booths, instead of cheap plastic break-and-throw-away items
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purchase and serve free trade coffee
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provide large, reusable water coolers to promote use of refillable containers - many people prefer drinking bottled water rather than unfamiliar tap water when traveling
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avoid pre-packaged snacks (for personal consumption or for receptions, etc.) and give out fruit, for it has a biodegradable/compostable “wrapper”
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buy in bulk for receptions, symposia, etc, as this reduces packaging for food and paper items
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http://www.ehow.com/how_4562879_have-green-ecofriendly-conference.html
A final tip:
…before you leave your home to attend NAPC, remember to unplug your home computers, DVD players and other electronic devices (they use power even when plugged in), and adjust thermostats to save on fuel and heating bills.