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GreenTeam flourishes on campus

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This is the GreenTeam’s first year of operation as an official Pepperdine Club and if you haven’t encountered any members already the enthusiastic (perhaps a little zany?) group is set for a productive year ahead. For the sake of form and public interest a bit of history to start:

The GreenTeam’s background begins in fall 2008 with the arrival of a spritely yet ferociously determined freshman Emily Reeder. Hailing from Nebraska this active and environmentally conscious Pepperdine newcomer was disappointed at the absence of an on-campus environmental organization. Despite the confusion and timidity most freshman feel when they arrive on campus this one refused to let her lack of seniority prevent her from starting a club that would further sustainability health and environmental awareness among faculty and students. Thus the GreenTeam was born.

As Emily began to direct her magnetic persona toward her efforts with the GreenTeam more and more students became interested and better yet involved. As a result of several different small yet successful GreenTeam activities that occurred in their first year of existence they have since experienced a growth in numbers. With the arrival of the fall semester the GreenTeam has managed to rack up well over 100 subscribers to their e-Newsletter as well as a growing following of 98 fans on their Facebook page.

However a pertinent question is whether or not the GreenTeam will capture and amplify student interest. Many environmental clubs have tried to get a foothold at Pepperdine­­ but have ended up withering in the previous student climates. All of this aside the growth of student interest relentless dedication and insightful expertise from their faculty advisors Dr. Christopher Doran and Sophia Clanton as well as newfound support from the Pepperdine Center for Sustainability and the ICA should provide good soil for this sturdy seedling of a club to flourish. (Sucking up CO2 all along the way of course.)
 
Some of the projects for the upcoming year include: A “Toxic Tour” around economically disadvantaged communities in Los Angeles compromised by pollution on campus screenings of environmental documentaries the creation of a community organic garden a carpool signup for transportation to local farmer’s markets “Trayless Tuesdays” to mitigate the cafeteria’s food water and energy waste as well as several “green” guests and speakers. 
 
To get involved please e-mail Clifford Champion. Although Emily Reeder will still “keep on keeping on” all the way from the lovely Pepperdine London house she has kindly handed over the helm for the GreenTeam to her dedicated Executive Council and current President Cliff Champion. (Yet another irreverent freshman who managed to solar power his dorm room in 2008.) 
 
Volunteer opportunities will be going on all year so stay tuned and get ready to watch Pepperdine begin to make its campus Malibu and the world … greener.