Getting the green message across

"Each of us has a part to play in sustainability at Cornell. What piece of the puzzle do you hold?" - Dr. David Skorton, president, Cornell University.

As Cornell University marked Earth Day, April 22, WCMC-Q's Foundation Program students rolled up their sleeves, got down to work and challenged the WCMC-Q community to step up in support of recycling and energy-saving on campus.

The foundation students aim “to make a difference”
said Al Jazy Al Maraghi, seen talking to Dr. Marina
Dodigovic, visiting assistant professor of English.

Alongside the demonstrations of how paper is recycled, drinks cans and bottles could be re-used, and global warming combated, the 18-strong class provided food to draw the crowds – demonstrating a shrewd understanding of how to market their message to a student population.

Discussing the issues with some 40 pre-med and med students, as well as faculty members, who visited the event, they fielded questions with confidence and good humor. Meanwhile, a petition was circulated requesting assistance from the administration with a campus-wide paper and bottle/can recycling scheme.

The initiative was inspired by a class discussion of Al Gore's documentary An Inconvenient Truth, said senior lecturer in English, Dr. Krystyna Golkowska, who helped organize the event.

"The foundation students decided to try to raise awareness of environmental issues among students," she explained. "If a successful recycling and energy-saving program is launched at WCMC-Q, it can significantly contribute to saving natural resources and eliminating waste."

Recipe for success: Foundation students demonstrate
paper recycling to a pre-med colleague.

Class member Al Jazy Al Maraghi, who had previously participated in a high school recycling effort, said the class was keen "to make a difference." The initiative was both important for the campus and a response to a concern shared by many in the student community, she said.

"People have been coming up to ask us what they could do," she noted. "Others wanted to do something, but didn’t know where to start."

Guest of honor at the event was Abdullah M. Al Kuwari, Director of Green Qatar Center, founded in 2005 as part of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. Welcoming the students' interest, he said the current limited facilities in Qatar for recycling (there is one private company that recycles paper) will be transformed once the major waste recycling plant in the southern town of Mesaieed comes on-stream.

Meanwhile, the foundation students are wasting no time in promoting their campaign: They will be taking the green message into a number of local schools in the coming weeks.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Krystyna Golkowska:krg2005@qatar-med.cornell.edu

For Cornell’s sustainability efforts, visit: http://www.cornell.edu/sustainability/