Why are Green Initiatives a Jesuit concern?

You don’t have to be a science major to show concern for the environment. I do however encourage you to take advantage of engaging Loyola’s Associate Vice Provost, Dr. Nancy Tuchman, in a conversation on the topic any chance you get.

On Tuesday, a number of University staff leaders met at Loyola’s Retreat and Ecology Campus (LUREC). Sitting on close to 100 acres with a lake, ropes course, orchards, numerous meeting rooms, labs, etc. this is a fantastic hub for students, faculty, and staff to participate in a number of retreat and/or adventure programs or to learn more about ecological and sustainability issues.

During her talk on Tuesday, Dr. Tuchman discussed the three main thrusts behind the issue of climate control: increase in global population densities, increase in the standard of living, and the use of fossil fuels. The following video was used to start the conversation.

Sustainability is a big topic on Loyola’s campus. Students are actively thinking of ways to lessen their carbon footprint. Ultimately, the core of their Jesuit education and our mission as a university is faced with the issues of social justice and poverty that result from poor environmental choices. In the end, we simply hope to continue to do our part. Students actively get involved on campus and in the community. And, if you haven’t heard of Loyola’s Center for Urban Environmental Research and Policy, check it out. This standout program is perhaps best known for its biodiesel fuel, which we now use in all of our shuttle buses on campus.

The University supports continued study of these issues at LUREC by offering summer courses to current students. We are also excited to hear from Dr. Tuchman that plans are underway for a new Green Residence Hall at the Lake Shore Campus, which will include things like metered hallways to see which floors can focus on using less water. Near the same spot, we will see a greenhouse and a clean energy lab. Imagine students running a lab where they work with the 10 tons of food waste that our residence halls produce every week and how they can decompose that waste and use it in other ways.

If you are interested in green issues and are set to enroll at Loyola this fall, apply to be in Loyola’s Green Learning Community!