Eco Columbia

The warning looms over a street where an average of 500,000 people pass by daily.

I was in a rush to meet with a friend, having stayed late at work I was running behind. Side-stepping tourists and pan-handlers, I was making good progress.

Stuck by a Don’t Walk signal, my eyes momentarily wandered up. There, in an angry red LED display, was the ever-increasing number of greenhouse gases in our environment.

I took pause. Watching the display was maddening–the numbers were moving up too quickly to process. Someone pushed past me–the walk signal had lit.

Struck with the hypocrisy of what I saw- an ominous warning sign unseen by the honking taxi drivers and busy pedestrians – I felt a deep sadness. A feeling of hopelessness covered me, as well. What will I tell my kids, when they reap the bitter rewards of our poor choices? That I wasn’t warned?

More than three trillion tons of greenhouse gases have been emitted into the atmosphere. What does one ton look like? It’s pretty big. (more…)

Writer Blair Mishleau is studying abroad in London this term. While there, he will be observing the differences across the pond in terms of sustainability and environmental action.

Blair Mishleau, reporting from London!

Different countries have different issues, from the type of weather they have to the way they obtain drinking water.

In terms of environmental action, London has strong and weak points compared to the states. Here’s a breakdown in the main differences.

+ Transport(ation) for London

With the oldest subway system in the world, Londoners are pretty down with taking public transportation, although they never add the –ation, it’s just transport. Their tube system goes far and wide, making it much more complex than the Chicago CTA.

Their system interconnects very well with the National Rail Service, as well. (This is the much nicer equivalent to Metra in Chicago.) You can use the same card you use on the tube on the National Rail, making transfers much quicker and less confusing.

They also have a massive fleet of famous double-decker buses, many of which are either hybrid, gas powered or efficient in some other way.

Add the lovely British lady who notifies you of stops, and you’re set!

(more…)

Check out HOBOartlab online at facebook.com/HOBOartlab

With an angle focused on sustainability and community, HOBOartlab is a small art collective with a big idea.

“We love to paint and we also love to share it with the community.” Said Claudia Smalley, one of the artists currently in HOBOartlab. Magda Smolenska makes up the other half of the group.

Each art showing HOBOartlab has supports a specific charity. Most charities they choose are local efforts with a community aspect. For example, in the past they have supported the Humane Society and the World Wildlife Foundation.

Their current show, Signs of Sustainability, is up at the Elephant Room Gallery at 704 S Wabash Ave. until January 8. (more…)

Look for the sticker next snack time.

Your professor gives you ten minutes. Within these ten minutes, you must run to the bathroom, call your mom and let her know that you require a care package stat, gab with your friends for three minutes about how hard the final is going to be, and grab a snack.

In the fleeting moment you have to decide what to get… A5, C2, G9, it can be hard to keep healthy eating in mind.

Columbia has partnered with Mark Vend to make this a little easier. Whenever you see a Fit Pick (fitpick.org) sticker by the corresponding food in a vending machine, you know that it’s a better choice. (more…)

Blair Mishleau is a Junior at Columbia and the webmaster of Chicago Noms, a blog that aims to review local restaurants from the student perspective. As part of an ongoing series within Eco Columbia, he will be reviewing restaurants that are vegan, vegetarian, or ones that use sustainable practices.

The country-fried steak was yummy, but not so warm.

“Meat free since ’83,” has a nice ring to it. So does a vegan country-fried steak. The Chicago Diner (3411 N Halsted St) has both. Having served their delicious non-meat items for 17 years, they make food that could make a carnivore go veg.

I’ve been several times, and have been consistently happy. On my latest trip, however, my buddy and I were a bit let down.

Venturing there on a slightly chilly September night, the wait was a good 30 minutes. We were eventually seated in the outdoor patio, which was a new experience for me. (more…)