Pitt wasting its potential

Dear Editor,

I am writing regarding the article, “Pittsburgh: the greenest city.” While… Dear Editor,

I am writing regarding the article, “Pittsburgh: the greenest city.” While it’s exciting to read that Pittsburgh has cleaned up its act, I cannot help but wonder where our University fits into this story.

For example, the other two major universities in Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon and Duquesne, use 5 percent wind energy and have great programs. Meanwhile, Pitt’s administration cringes at the thought of spending any extra money for sustainable practices, lacking the foresight of long-term benefit from a sustainable campus.

Last year, a representative from Wind Energy Inc., the local wind energy supplier, came for three days to talk with Pitt about purchasing a small amount of wind energy. He was completely ignored by Pitt’s energy representative. Also, while recycling in residence halls has improved, recycling in academic buildings is almost nonexistent, to name a few wasteful problems.

The students, staff and faculty of Pitt need to stand up and let the bureaucracy know that we won’t fall behind other universities and the city in doing out part for a sustainable community. Pitt is one of the top universities in the nation, but it is quite literally wasting its potential.

Sincerely,

Andy Satchwell ‘ Clare Sierawski

President and Business Manager of Free the Planet

CAS, political science ‘ environmental studies