The CALL/MichALL Green Conference Initiative
Introduction
Each year, our conference participants exchange ideas, communicate research findings,
and connect with old and new colleagues. This year's conference, Gateway to Justice,
invites the exploration of environmental and social justice issues, leadership and innovation.
However, there are global and environmental impacts associated with conferences. As award-winning
scientist, environmentalist, and broadcaster, David Suzuki notes, meetings "leave a heavy footprint
on the environment" (Doyle, 2006). Given the theme of this year's conference, we feel that this is
the ideal time to take greater initiatives to limit the conference's ecological impact. This is why we are
incorporating principles of environmental sustainability into our conference planning.
Many organizations have set comparable principles into action at their own conferences, including Deloitte
Copenhagen, 2007), a Scottish Parliament conference, Engineers without Borders, the Education Safety
Association of Ontario (ESAO) Conference, Green Goal - 2006 World Cup, etc. Going green can also be less
expensive (Spatrisano as seen in Doyle, 2006). For example, according to the Environmental Defence Council,
"[u]sing 1,000 disposable plastic teaspoons consumes over 10 times more energy and natural resources than
manufacturing one stainless steel teaspoon and washing it 1,000 times" (Desmond, 1998).
We aim to provide participants with environmentally friendly alternatives. Prior to and during the conference,
we will provide information regarding environmentally sound practices and choices that will be made available
to conference participants. In all of these ways, we hope to reduce the environmental impact of this year's
conference, while enriching its opportunities for global learning.
Thank you to the University of Windsor web design team and the
Society for Teaching and Learning
website for ideas and content for our green pages.
Green Travel
Getting to the conference
Rail
A train, in general, contributes to environmental health by reducing air pollution, road noise, traffic
congestion, and accidents if it successfully gets people out of single occupancy vehicle (SOV) car trips.
Carpooling
Carpooling with only one other person automatically cuts commuting costs and the pollution created by a trip
by 50 percent. Carpooling is a great way to reduce stress since it gives you someone else to talk to, or time
to catch up on some reading.
Interested in calculating your emissions for the trip to Windsor? Click
here
Getting around in Windsor
Walking
Driving short distances creates relatively large amounts of air pollution because pollution control systems
on cars do not operate efficiently until the engine is at normal operating temperature, which can take a few
minutes. For short trips, probably the simplest and healthiest alternative is to walk or run.
The walk along Windsor's riverfront offers a stunning view of the Detroit skyline. Finding a "buddy" to walk
or run with can make it more enjoyable.
Bicycling
As part of our green initiative we encourage conference participants to adopt environmental friendly alternatives.
If you are driving to Windsor in a personal vehicle, bringing a bike along will be the perfect choice to get
around Windsor.
Public Transportation
Buses are an important component of a sustainable transportation system. A single bus can eliminate up to
50 single-occupancy vehicles and save 9 tons of air pollution each year. Read
Transit Windsor's environmental
commitment.
Taxis
If you're thinking about taking a cab, try sharing it with another conference attendee.
How to Be a Green Hotel Guest
- Turn off any lights, TV, air conditioner or heater when you leave your hotel room for the day.
- Take the energy-saving option of not having sheets and towels changed every day. In many hotels, it's understood that if you fold your towel and hang it neatly, housekeeping won't replace it. But just to make sure, let housekeeping know by calling the front desk or leaving a note.
- Bring your own reusable mug, pen and pencil, shampoo and other personal use products.
- Leave unopened amenities in the room and take home opened ones.
- Take only the brochures and tourist information you need and return the rest to the display racks.
- Recycle your waste: bottles, cans, paper, etc.
- Thank the managers and employees for embracing green-hotel practices.
Donating Conference Materials
During the conference, you can return conference bags, notebooks, and pens for reuse by the organization
Windsor Women Working with Immigrant Women by returning them to the Registration desk on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Water Coolers
All conference participants are encouraged to bring their own water bottles and coffee mugs. Water coolers
or pitchers will be available throughout the conference level.
Conference Planning Committee and Volunteers' TShirts
This year's conference planning committee opted to use Bamboo as our conference Tshirt fabric. The Tshirts
were supplied by
Bamboo Clothes.ca
"Bamboo textiles are softer than cotton , they feel similar to silk textiles or cashmere fabrics. Today most
anti-microbial fabrics have had a chemical treatment. Bamboo fibers are naturally anti-microbial and requires
no harmful chemicals. Bamboo is known to be the fastest growing plant on earth, and thus is a highly renewable
resource.
Cutting Down on Paper
This year's programme will be printed on 55% recycled with 30% 'Post Consumer' fiber which means 30% of the paper
fiber has been reclaimed and not sent to a landfill. It has the highest recycled content of any coated sheet
on the market.
You can also opt for an electronic version of the CALL/MichALL conference programme, available through the
website for electronic download to your computer or hand-held device.
Green Speaker Gifts
This year, our plenary speakers will receive thank you cards hand made by local Windsor artist
Nancy Johns.
Plenary and Session speakers will receive a gift certificate for
Kiva.
"Kiva's mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty.
Kiva is the world's first person-to-person micro-lending website, empowering individuals to lend to
unique entrepreneurs around the globe. When we browse entrepreneurs' profiles on Kiva, choose someone
to lend to, and then make a loan, we are helping a real person make great strides towards economic
independence and improve life for themselves, their family, and their community. Throughout the course
of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates and track repayments. Then,
when you get your loan money back, you can relend to someone else.
Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, we gain access to entrepreneurs from
communities world-wide. Our partners are experts in choosing qualified entrepreneurs. That said, they are
usually short on funds. Through Kiva, our partners upload their entrepreneur profiles directly to the site
so you can lend to them. When you do, not only do you get a unique experience connecting to a specific
entrepreneur on the other side of the planet, but our microfinance partners can do more of what they do,
more efficiently."
