This week SOPE (Student Organization for the Protection of the Environment) unveiled a one-of-a-kind papier mâchè polar bear during tabling hours in Sayles.
Students were encouraged to sign the bear along with a petition in support of the Climate Stewardship Act, a bipartisan solution to the dangers of global warming. The bear will be en route to U.S. Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) this weekend.
The primary sponsors of the Climate Stewardship Act are Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (D-CT) in the Senate. According to information passed out by SOPE, the act would set mandatory greenhouse gas pollution reductions, make the U.S. economy more energy efficient, and use free-market incentives to lower costs, grow the economy and promote innovation.
Students were also encouraged to sign another petition with a statement for Carbon Neutrality on campus. At least 300 students have already signed the petition (and the bear), but SOPE is pushing for about one hundred more signatures by Friday afternoon.
"It's Earth Week," said SOPE President Rika Anderson '06. "We're trying to increase awareness and activism on campus as well as encourage sustainability at Carleton."
SOPE's other Earth Week activities include the Adopt-A-River event on Earth Day, April 22, to help clean up the Cannon River (canoes provided). Saturday is also the Northfield city-wide cleanup. Rika Anderson is the contact for more information on these events.
