Students For A New Green World is an organization at IU that highlights the importance of taking care of Earth. The executive board members are not only are dedicated to bettering the planet, they are dedicated to bettering the Bloomington campus as a whole.
On March 24th, Students For A New Green World held a march, protest and rally, and circulated a petition to the student body to raise awareness of the current policy for climate change. Here in the Midwest, IU ranks number one for leading gas emissions for universities. Just under 240 students took part in the protest to show their solidarity.
Students for a New Green World President Beverley Thompson kicked off the rally with a heartfelt speech about IU’S current position on the gas emissions ranking and policies for carbon neutrality. Thompson stated, “We’re here in solidarity to get IU to commit to Carbon Neutrality by 2040. This is not a crazy goal. There are already bigger universities who have committed to the neutrality policy including Ohio State, University of Florida, and Rutgers.”
Other executive board members then took to the stage to speak, followed by local bands playing music in the open air venue at Dunn Meadow. The crowd danced in what looked like a celebration at that point.
Junior Carter Hays stood on stage and performed an original poem entitled, “The View.” The poem highlighted the importance of the earth and all that it provides.
Afterward, the crowd marched and chanted, saying, “Hey Hey, ho ho. These fossils fuels have got to go!” Fossil fuels are one way that CO2 is emitted into the atmosphere. Other pollution sources include the burning of hydrocarbon fuels like wood or coal.
When asked his stance was on current policies for change Steven Riggs, Student For A New Green World Member said that IU can do more by implementing a positive change.
Riggs also stated, “So it’s really about like building an effective argument. It’s about building relationships. Right now it’s about making a clear argument. And it’s about like networking with the right people to make happen. That’s really what it’s about . I think more than anything for this movement, especially it’s going to be about student and faculty collaboration.”
The student march traveled from Showalter Fountain past the Indiana Memorial Union, and ended at the Sample Gates. That’s where the protesters stood together demanding that IU keep its promise in regard to the policy for carbon neutrality. Many students held signs in silence as pedestrians and drivers passed them. Other students shared their feeling that the current administration has not done enough. After conducting moments of silence and speeches, the students made their way to the Vice Provost’s office and left the petition taped to the door. Some students believe the future holds potential for policy changes due to a change in administration and feel that now is the best time to make some noise. Kennesaw State University President Pamela Whitten has been named to take over for Michael McRobbie, who is retiring as president of IU.
