By: Rachel Carlson

The Illinois Environmental Council is looking to pass global warming legislation, and they are enlisting the help of local communities and SIUE campus organizations.

According to Gail Philbin, spokeswoman for the IEC, the town hall meeting series, "Global Warming, Local Solutions," was created last year to strengthen the efforts for sustainability through linking different communities' ideas. Philbin said the town hall series is kicking off in Edwardsville "with the hope we can get citizen involvement in legislation this year."

The kick off was a public forum held Wednesday night in the Morris University Center. SIUE student organizations and faculty were part of the night's discussion on how citizens can help the IEC push for governmental ordinances that support the green initiative. The College Democrats, Sierra Club, Student Organization for Sustainability and the Political Science Association spoke as part of the student forum.

At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Philbin said the U.S. is a "crossroads in history" because not only has President Barack Obama spoken about climate change, but Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has shown support for sustainability as well. Philbin said because the government is at a point where it is open to possible sustainability ideas, it is a key time for communities to reach out.

"We need your help, the citizen, in contacting the legislature," Philbin said.

Junior Nathalie Woloszyn of the Student Organization for Sustainability said SOS has many plans in process to help make SIUE green and sustainable. Currently, SOS is focusing on the SIUE Gardens and getting students to take the time to see them. Construction began Wednesday for a pergola, or a trellised arbor, resembling a lantern at the north end pond by Cougar Village.

Woloszyn said the lantern will emanate a soft glow from LED lights so students can have an intimate place to enjoy The Gardens. The purpose of the design was to keep the peaceful nature of the area in an unobtrusive way.

"It goes along with nature," Woloszyn said.

SOS also has plans for the future including an on-campus bike rental program and a green fee program. The green fee program will add a $10 to $15 required fee to every student's tuition to help move the campus toward sustainability through building renovations. The green fee program has not been written yet, but Woloszyn expects it to be proposed in the fall.

Zak Krug of the Sierra Club Piasa Palisades Chapter spoke about the importance of gaining support for green legislation. Krug said the Sierra Club is involved with the forum because they understand there are more benefits to going green than just the environmental ones.

Krug said the Sierra Club has been involved with river cleanups and the Cool Cities Program, which recently came to Edwardsville. The program works toward solving global warming by getting governments to pass ordinances to install energy efficient products in public buildings to help the environment and save money. The program also aims to educate the public on energy efficiency.

"We believe it's not just environmental effect, but an economic effect as well," Krug said.

Philbin said the next location for the town hall series is not definite, but may occur at Rockford, Belleville or Peoria. The IEC will announce dates and times at a later date.

© Copyright 2009 The Alestle