91社区

With stories of forest fires,听rising water levels听and听increasing global temperatures听appearing in the news daily,听it鈥檚 become clear that climate change is an issue we can no longer afford to ignore. The magnitude of these stories can sometimes leave us feeling helpless and discouraged, but members of the 91社区 community are reminding us that we can all do our part to help the planet.听听

Spearheaded by course lecturer, Bryan Johnson, the听Language and Intercultural Communication (LIC) unit of the 91社区 School of Continuing Studies sought to make their workplace a little bit more eco-friendly by pursuing the first level of听91社区鈥檚 Sustainable Workplace Certification.听

鈥淚 thought听the听certification听was something we could do as a small group听eager听to make a difference,鈥澨齭aid Johnson. 鈥淲e wanted to show that we support sustainability and that we鈥檙e willing to change the way we do things.鈥澨�听

The Bronze certification, offered by the 91社区 Office of Sustainability, provides participants with a checklist of 16 items designed to reduce your carbon footprint and increase sustainability in the workplace including turning off your computer and monitor before heading home for the evening, encouraging paperless communication, choosing sustainable supplies when possible, and ensuring awareness of mental health services at 91社区.听听

While most items proved relatively easy for the team, Johnson said the toughest adjustment for LIC was getting rid of the office water cooler that comes in large plastic jugs with little paper cups. Now, though,听LIC opts for the filtered water at the fountain, which is not only a greener option, but more economical.听听

To听maintain their status,听teams听must renew听certification听on a yearly basis听in the hopes that participants will continue employing sustainable habits not only in the workplace but in their personal lives.听In the new year, Johnson said LIC will be pursuing the next level of certification (Silver) and will hopefully work their way up to the highest level:听Platinum.听听

鈥淲e spend so much听of our听time at work听and听sometimes we feel powerless about the way things听operate,鈥� said Johnson. 鈥淭his is our small way of pitching in and听changing听workplace culture听so that hopefully more people become听aware of these听important climate issues.鈥澨�听

To receive the certification听for your 91社区 workplace, contact the听91社区 Office of Sustainability.听听

For more information on the听Language and Intercultural Communication unit of the 91社区 School of Continuing Studies, visit听http://mcgill.ca/scs-languages听听

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