FAMU students, faculty, staff and administrators are being challenged to make at least 10 changes in their lifestyle by Oct. 10, or 10-10-10 to decrease their impact on the environment.The “Do 10 for 10-10-10” campaign is part of an international 10-10-10 movement sponsored by 350.org, which was founded by well-known author and environmentalist Bill McKibben and his associates. More than 2,000 “global work parties” will take place around the world on Oct. 10.
“The idea behind ‘Do 10 for 10-10-10’ is that if lots of individuals make small changes, this will create the momentum and political will for even greater changes by business and governments as we address the global climate crisis,” said LaRae Donnellan, journalism professor and adviser to the FAMU Green Coalition, which is sponsoring the event.
Two separate competitions are underway, one for students and one for faculty, staff and administrators. Participants complete a pledge card, indicating which 10 or more changes they will make in their behavior. A tear-off bookmark serves as a reminder of the changes participants have pledged to make.
“Do 10” examples include using a water bottle rather than bottled water, turning off water while brushing teeth, using reusable shopping bags, giving up meat at least one day a week, taking the City of Tallahassee Idle Free Pledge or changing the printer setting to two-sided to save paper.
Participants can sign up as individuals and also as members of a group. Individuals will be eligible for prizes such as Chico foldable shopping bags, water bottles, organic coffee and gift certificates from area businesses. Teams will be eligible to win trophies made from recyclable materials. Individuals who choose to write a letter to elected officials, urging them to support clean energy, will be eligible for the grand prizes. The FAMU Student Government Association is considering providing an Energy Star-rated flat-screen TV as the top prize for the student competition.
Pledge forms can be downloaded from http://www.famugreencoalition.com.