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Conversations with Gardner: The Sustainability Saviors
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Rachael Bergey and a collection of environmentally passionate students approached sustainability man John Gardner in 2008.
Their goal? To form a sustainability club on campus.
“When I first started the club, I wanted to do something very specific and focus on environmental education,” Bergey said, sliding into a rounded booth seat in the Student Union Building on a gray, overcast Friday afternoon. “I talked to John Gardner and he was like, ‘No, no, no . we’re gonna go broad.’”
The club’s mission is to make Boise State and Idaho communities more energy efficient through student and community involvement. As president of the Sustainability Club, Bergey met with me on a soggy afternoon to discuss such involvement per Garner’s suggestion.
Taking a sip from her Moxie, Bergey explained that the club offers students an array of activities and education.
“We try to be very active on campus with issues and initiatives,” she said with a swift nod toward the bins placed neatly against the wall. “We focus on things like recycling [and] what the school is doing for renewables and efforts to reduce our carbon footprint on campus.” The club also informs students about environmental issues and seeks feedback. With a flick of her wrist, Bergey swiped dark hair out of her eyes.
“We are obviously involved in campus sustainability, but also in community sustainability issues,” she said, smiling slightly. “That’s where we volunteer with different Idaho environmental agencies.”
With Gardner as adviser, the club focuses on general sustainability issues and involves students from all walks of life. It also serves as a voice for both students and the Office of Energy Research Policy and Campus Sustainability “… so students know what is going on and how to get involved,” Bergey said with a slight eye roll. “At least students who care like us.”
Uncrossing her arms, Bergey tilted her head back and to the side.
“The easiest way to get involved is to get on our Website and e-mail [and say] ‘Hey I’m interested in this, what can I do?’” She said, throwing her hands in the air with excitement. Networking with numerous organizations also provides club members with avenues of access to activism.
“We try to stay very politically active when it comes to environmental policy and energy policy,” Bergey tilted forward across the vinyl table and said proudly, “We push our legislatures in Idaho to pass really, really bold energy policy.”
These policies’ initiatives include “requiring a cut in [Idaho's] emissions by 20-35 percent by 2020 and then 80 percent by 2050.”
The Sustainability Club is putting immense effort into making Earth Week an educational and entertaining time for everyone.
Stay tuned to “Conversations” to remain updated on plans for Earth Week events. To submit ideas for Earth Week activities or Boise State sustainability initiatives, visit the club’s Website at bsusustainabilityclub.com.
KC DRISCOLL
Arbiter Columnist