Loyola University Community Action Program is seeking 12 participants to attend Powershift ‘09, an environmental conference in Washington D.C.
The conference, devoted to holding elected officials accountable for climate and clean energy policy, is February 26 through March 3.
“I think there’s a lot of momentum in the country right now in the environmental movement,” said Josh Daly, associate chaplain and director of LUCAP.
Students learn about other universities’ projects at these meetings and bring back ideas to Loyola’s campus to possibly implement through Loyola’s Campus Sustainability study group, said Dr. Bob Thomas, director of the Center of Environmental Communications and interim director of the School of Mass Communications.
“I think it’s a wonderful thing because it gives them an opportunity to get with other people in their peer group, in their same age group, from different universities to, kind of, knock around ideas and see the enthusiasm,” he said.
Daly and Chad Carson, sociology junior and LUCAP chairman of public relations, committed to attending the conference.
They will determine which 12 applicants will attend. They’re looking for students with an interest in organizing events around environmental issues on campus, Daly said.
Daly predicted that PowerShift ‘09 will also be a networking opportunity.
“I think it’s going to be a lot of energy, a lot of really, really interesting presentations and things to get hooked up with,” he said.
The conference will include panel discussions, speakers and an environmental career fair.
The Center for Environmental Communications intended to pay for flights for two or three people to attend the conference last year, but Sunshine Bond, A’08, managed to send 12 students in a university van with the funds, said Thomas.
This year, LUCAP and the Center for Environmental Communications provided funds for Powershift ‘09.
A campus-wide attitude adjustment would be a step towards environmental sustainability at Loyola, said Thomas.
“I would say there are a lot of people here who really care about sustainable issues, but an awful lot of people here are — it’s not even on their radar,” said Thomas.
“So we’ve got to make people develop a sense of pride for Loyola heading in the right direction on sustainable issues.”
The $50 attendance fee includes transport in a 15-passenger van.
Participants are responsible for costs associated with meals and public transit at the conference. Students can apply on LUCAP’s Web site and the deadline is Feb. 13 at 3:30 p.m.
Allison Sickle can be reached at [email protected].
