Written by: Janica Johnson, Green For All Ambassador

When I was presented with the opportunity to attend the Energy Action Coalition’s Power Vote training in Chicago to rally around environmental issues while connecting them to one of the most important presidential elections in our nation’s history, of course I couldn't turn it down.  From August 20-24, together with my fellow Green For All Ambassadors, Courtney Strickland of ECSU and Korbin Miles of FAMU, I had the pleasure to participate in the Power Vote organizing training, designed to prepare us to mobilize our peers to build momentum for local clean energy solutions and demand that both candidates address the climate crisis, instead of promoting dirty and dangerous energy like coal, gas, oil and nuclear. 

Read more

Written by: Markese Bryant, College Ambassador Program Associate

Class 2 of the College Ambassador Program

It’s been almost a year since I first met the 2011 class of Green For All College Ambassadors. As I greeted the thirty students from around the country at our Washington, D.C. training, I thought to myself, “These are the future leaders of our movement.” 

Read more

Authors: Danielle Bailey - College Ambassador, Savannah State University As a Green For All College Ambassador, I am often asked, "What is the Green Economy?" "What do you all do?" And my answer is always simple: We advocate for green jobs that will strengthen our economy and help us live longer! As a senior Biology major at Savannah State University (SSU), most of my peers do not expect this kind of thinking from me, but I am here to show everyone that the green economy movement isn't limited to just environmentalists. Everyone from all backgrounds and all communities can participate and benefit from it. One of the main focus points in my Ambassadorship is to educate my college community on how to be prosperous leaders in this new and exciting realm by establishing our spring campaign, "The Green Experience- SSU." This exciting campaign is designed to provide a living example of how the green economy works on both the environmental and economic side. We plan to establish a sustainable department within our administration that will oversee the use of resources of the University and will be monitored and maintained by the students themselves. This project is a "win win" for Savannah State with goals to reduce our carbon foot print and save money while doing so. It is important that we (the students) are aware of the changes in our world, country, and community and to know that change starts with us. If every student from Savannah State University makes one small green change to their lifestyle, and incorporate that change when they graduate, it will be a huge accomplishment and the first big step towards a sustainable future. I strongly believe the green economy movement will be able to make some of the most indifferent people open their eyes to a healthier living style, not just for themselves but for the people around them as well. I have already made the change, are you willing to do the same?

Authors: Danielle Bailey - Savannah State University

Authors: Falon Shackelford, Howard University Ambassador As evidenced by the various natural disasters, the noticeable changes in temperature that are at some points down right unbearable, and the sea levels that won't stop rising, it is clear that we are in a state of global environmental crisis. The recognition that many communities, especially in low-income communities and people of color communities, are at specifically at risk to these environmental changes is now coming to the conversation that has previously focused on conservation and efforts such as recycling.

What causes such instabilities? One of the largest contributors to these changes is the various emissions of non natural sources of matter like carbon as well as less acknowledged sources like nitrogen that are equally as detrimental to global environmental stability. One of the sources of nitrogen is the agricultural industry, specifically the herding of cattle and other meat-based industries. Livestock alone is responsible for approximately 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. The Nitrogen based fertilizers along with the food product used to feed livestock place a heavy burden on the environment, particularly because meat product is used as the based of the average diet in the Western hemisphere, instead of just the supplement. The consumption of so much meat, particularly by the average American, has caused desertification throughout many parts of the developing world.

There are obvious sustainable “remedies” to the issue of food, like buying local products and working to support organic companies with your purchasing dollar, it is important to make an effort to try to limit the amount of meat intake in the diet. Why? Well in addition to the various positive health effects, such as the likelihood of lower blood pressure and less stress on the heart (which affects many low-income communities and communities of color) Although, many people are frightened off by terms such as vegetarianism and veganism, a more environmentally friendly diet looks different for different people. Moving towards a plant based diet can lessen health risks, reduce the amounts of hormones that your body interacts with, and result in higher amounts of energy daily. With simple lifestyle changes, like supplementing meats with other sources of protein like beans and nuts, each person can help create more environmentally responsible solutions to problems that affect the well-being of others. This month, Howard University is partnering with Green For All to host an event entitled “Green Is The New Black”, to raise awareness among Howard students about important topics like food justice, environmental justice and the green economy. Also, students will explore exciting opportunities in the green economy while honoring the contributions that people of African descent have made — and continue to make — to the fight for a sustainable planet and an equitable society. Our goal is to further the conversation in the Howard community about the rapidly growing "green economy” and how it can be leveraged to solve environmental and economic issues facing the Black community.

Authors: Jainaba Fye, College Ambassador, Spelman College As a college ambassador at Spelman College, I have been making an effort to educate other students about the importance of the Green Movement - and at the same time, I have become more informed. For example, I learned about the extent to which my campus community is affected by environmental injustice. Spelman College is located in Atlanta's low-income West End. The area in which we live is also a food desert and residents are victims of environmental injustice; there are railroads surrounding the area on all ends and overall upkeep of the community is contemptible. Recognizing what kind of area we live in has made me all the more passionate about making a real difference. During workshops we ran to educate other students, we were able to use the example of the West End to help students understand and relate to the issue of environmental injustice. The last one that we held was a collaborative workshop with Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University. Many of the students attended simply because there would be food - and a giveaway of Wale concert tickets - but once the workshop came to an end it was evident that students truly enjoyed their experience with us and had taken away an understanding of the green movement. This is only the beginning. Once students grasp an understanding of the movement, I would like us to reach out to the West End community and begin implementing solutions. Already in the West End there are new organic restaurants and grocery stores that have opened, which is very encouraging to see. I believe if we take on an initiative to also educate West End community members these stores and restaurants will thrive. We're seeing results from our partnerships. Each year, Spelman College participates in the Martin Luther King Day of Service, an event that offers an opportunity for students to participate in various community service activities in honor of Martin Luther King. Last weekend, we were very excited to have the support of Green For All in our efforts to better our community, including planting trees and picking up litter along a local highway. The more I work with our partners, the more I understand the difference we can all make.

Authors: Brittany Stallsworth, Green For All College Ambassador, Howard University

My experience as a Green For All Ambassador has equipped me with many of the tools necessary to be a great organizer and an exceptional leader. And it's a good thing, given what we're trying to accomplish.

One of two College Ambassadors at Howard University in Washington, DC, our workshops this year are centered on Environmental and Food Justice and food preparation. We have chosen these topics because we believe that, as people of color, it is important to educate our fellow students on the importance of healthy eating, food accessibility, and quality of food. It has been a challenging experience, but one that I am enjoying.

We plan to help run Howard’s community garden throughout the winter and in the spring, hoping to create a lasting project that can help the university generate its own revenue and food source. Using compost for heat - and for profit - we will be able to grow, eat, and sell our own crops right on our campus. The true test of a people is being able to sustain themselves. Through this project, we hope to help Howard University begin to become more independent and healthier.Howard University is historically at the center of social justice movements and change. The environmental and sustainability movements are slower going - but they are, without a doubt, going. Our goal as Green For All Ambassadors is to expedite them in a way that is beneficial to our student body. Nothing excites me more than the idea of the only Black student-run garden in the District Columbia. Certainly, we are helping to continue to build on the legacy that Howard University prides itself on. I am beyond excited and proud to be a part of making Howard University sustainable - and green.

Authors: Lashelle Moss, College Ambassador, Lane College My name is Lashelle Moss and I am a senior majoring in Sociology at Lane College, in Jackson, Tennessee. I also serve as the President of the Social Sciences Club. At the beginning of the school year, I was given the opportunity to become a Green For All College Ambassador, which I was proud to accept. I am excited to be an Ambassador for Green For All and to become a voice providing guidance to other students! My first few months as a College Ambassador have helped me realize how much improvement the world needs. My fellow Ambassador Jermell Rivera and I have been creating and discussing different methods to get students at our school involved and have decided to focus on electronic waste. You may ask why we chose electronic waste as a project. "E-waste" refers to the problem of improperly disposed-of electronics such as computers, televisions and cell phones. These devices are made with highly toxic metals, plastics and chemicals that can leach into the environment if not handled carefully. Electronics are one of the main things that college students spend money on - and waste - all the time. If we start recycling electronics, we can start to save money and stop all these chemicals from being released. This could become a major environmental and public health crisis, if we don't quickly take steps to improve recycling and disposal of electronics. After we settled on our focus area came the hard work. Finding an advisor who cared about recycling electronics wasn't easy - but after searching high and low, we found the perfect person to be involved! Next step: students - but getting our peers engaged wasn't easy either. We decided the best way to get our classmates to come was one thing people love: food! It worked! People came (on time!) to listen to what my partner and I said, became interested in our ideas, and wanted to join the team. As a final step, we've been putting up flyers around campus about recycling electronics and how to save electricity. Jermell and I have completed a number of workshops and also have done a few activities with the school. We were flabbergasted that Lane College students and faculty are so trapped in their ways, but we are working hard to make a change at our school and in the community. We are taking a stand!

Authors: Kandyce Perry, College Ambassador, Spelman College My name is Kandyce Perry and I am a junior Environmental Science major at Spelman College. Serving as a Green for All College Ambassador has been a privilege - and an experience that has taught me a lot. I am very passionate about environmental responsibility. It’s something that I talk about with my friends all the time.The ambassadorship gives me the opportunity to expand that dialogue to those I would not normally have had a chance to converse with. Most people are not as environmentally responsible as they could be largely because they simply aren’t aware of how their daily actions affect the world in a broader context. When people are aware - and are willing to change their behavior - they will consider the impact of their actions. Through the workshops that my campus partner and I have hosted, we have learned to break down the topics of global warming, environmentalism, and sustainability. We've developed ways to share information with people so they understand, relate to it, and effectively spread the word to others. Our workshops are not meant to imply ignorance, but to shed new light to environmental topics, challenge societal norms, and motivate people to work for change. Seeing people’s faces when the light switch turns on and they truly get why sustainability makes sense is rewarding. My goal is to spark a light within as many people as I can so they become more environmentally conscious - and truly get how crucial sustainability is. Seeing that spark reminds me that it only takes one person to make a difference. We must work to change our future today, and Green For All gives me the opportunity to do that.

Authors: Green For All

.newsImageContainer { display: none; }

Who is Ben Wreckt? He's uncovering imaginary conspiracies so you don't have to.

Loosely based on a similarly-named former television personality, Ben Wreckt is the star of Brainwash, Inc. Watch the video, below, where Wreckt explains a national conspiracy: students at historically black colleges and universities taking leadership roles in the fight for the green economy and green campuses.

http://www.youtube.com/embed/KNAZu3PeWW4

Over the summer, dozens of young leaders joined Green For All’s College Ambassador program and got busy on their campuses, organizing for sustainability. Wreckt doesn't like that.

Let people know how student leaders are being portrayed on Brainwash, Inc. Share the video with the tools below.

On Twitter (use #benwreckt): Tweet

On Facebook: