$50,000 will go to Gov. Ritter’s Colorado Carbon Fund
The CU student government has pledged $50,000 a year for use in Gov. Bill Ritter’s “Colorado Carbon Fund,” advancing CU’s commitment to solving the environmental issues discussed last week during Focus the Nation events on campus.
Environmental Center Director Dave Newport said students at CU have been actively involved in local efforts to reduce climate change prior to pledging their support for Ritter’s CCF.
“For the past six consecutive weekends, groups of students have been swarming neighborhoods and knocking on doors to make minor improvements on homes,” Newport said. “They put in compact florescent light bulbs and installed water blankets before hurrying on to the next house.”
Newport said there have also been efforts to reduce water and electricity bills for students on the Hill. The most important thing is to make people aware of how much energy they are producing and consuming, he said.
In order to support Ritter’s CCF, a shift in student dollars occurred in the CU-Boulder budget. Newport said that the budget shift had no affect on other student organizations and causes except the opportunity to get more involved.
“The Colorado Carbon Fund is a behavioral involvement program, students will be able to sell projects for the cause,” Newport said.
CCF Program Manager Susan Innis explained how the program will use the $50,000 donated by CU.
“Our program will support any project that demonstrates a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions,” Innis said. “We are focusing mostly on projects for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and capturing methane.”
Innis said hog or dairy waste could be one possibility for agricultural methane recovery. Such wastes, known as biomass, are a form of renewable energy.
Justin Papierz, a junior history major, said he is not surprised that the CU student government was the first to commit to a green movement project like the CCF.
“I have always known that CU students have cared deeply for the environment and human interaction with the natural world,” Papierz said. “The Colorado Carbon Fund is an important program to help reduce humans’ destructive footprints, I am proud that CU has recognized this important problem and has chosen to make a difference.”
Contact Campus Press Staff Writer Heather Koski at heather.koski@colorado.edu
