Houghton Hosts Environmental Summit

This weekend, Houghton is hosting the second Renewal National Student Environmental Summit. The Summit's focus is on teaching students about current environmental topics, training students to start sustainability projects on their own campuses, and providing a network for the attendees in the environmental justice world. At the same time, it provides an environment for students to examine current sustainability issues in a Christian environment.

The Summit features keynote speakers such as Peter Illyn, executive director of Restoring Eden; Chris Elisara, executive director of the Center for Environmental Leadership and founder of the Creation Care Study Program; and Ben Lowe from the Evangelical Environmental Network, among many other speakers — all from Christian environmental organizations

"As Christians, we're called to bring renewal to God's creation," said junior Olivia Nijssen, president of the Environmental Club. "It was created harmoniously and perfectly, and man caused it to fall. If we love God then we should be able to love what's His."

Renewal, which is one of the many Christian environmental organizations resulting from the increasingly popular "Creation Care" movement, sponsors the Summit and finds different hosts for the conference each year. Approximately 12 to 50 students from all over the United States attend each annual event. This year, Renewal chose Houghton to host the Summit partially because of its proximity to Buffalo, as the Summit is being planned in conjunction with the Center for Environmental Leadership's Sustainability Symposium taking place there next week.

Still, Houghton's own reputation for involvement with Christian environmental issues continues to grow.

"We are gaining quite a reputation for environmental involvement among Christian colleges," said Ginny Routhe, director of Our Common Ground, Houghton's sustainability office.

Houghton is one of out of only six schools in the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU) that has signed the CCCU's President's Climate Commitment: President Shirley Mullen committed Houghton in 2008. Houghton's sustainability office works with various areas of the College, such as Sodexo and the student Environmental Club, putting on such events as this November's Food Waste Awareness Week.  During the week, the amount of food wasted each day in the dining hall will be graphed in an effort to bring more awareness concerning waste and as a result, decrease the amount of discarded food.

In addition, Houghton is also involved in more widespread efforts to form a sustainable community — a 45-page proposal for the College on the subject of carbon neutrality was submitted by Our Common Ground October 18 to the President's office for review over the next week and a half. The review is in accordance with Houghton's membership as part of the CCCU President's Climate Commitment and fulfills the requirements of that contract.

Houghton's Environmental Club, led by Nijssen, plays a large part in the sustainability work.  Founded in 1995 by then Houghton student Aaron Routhe, the club's focus is on exploring the relationships among humans and their relationships with God's creation, and working behind the scenes to assist in various campus sustainability projects. In recent years, the club's work in off-campus environmental action has increased.

"In the past few years, the club's been more into activism," said Ginny Routhe. "Last year a few of the members even lobbied in Washington D.C. against mountaintop coal [and] mountaintop removal."

 "I do think it's important for Christians to be concerned about the environment," said junior Anna Brunner. "It's great that Houghton students and professors are involved and look into these things, like environmental justice."

At the very least, Houghton's openness to sustainability discussion provides an opening for students' interests.

"Even if people aren't passionate about the environment," said Nijessen. "I'd still encourage them to look into the Summit and just talk to people, because now is the time for renewal."