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Show AggieLife Monday, March 22, 2010 Page 7 Aggies around the world Going green in eco-friendly Costa Rica L ately, "going green" is a phrase that Americans have servation is a priority. The streets are well groomed, become very accustomed to hearing. From the stores numerous recycling bins are found throughout the cities, we shop at, the shows we watch and even around and residents pick up scattered litter on the sidewalks. campus - it seems to be everywhere. We are constantly However, it takes traveling a bit farther to see the true being encouraged to "preserve the rainforest" and "save mark of environmentalism in Costa Rica. USU students the whales," but when it comes to taking action, many were taken to a number of farms through Costa Rica that Americans are reluctant to do even simple things, such demonstrated environmental-friendly living. as separating paper from plastic. It seems to be a curOne method that was used in these farms was the use rent trend in our society: encouraging Americans to be of a biodigester. These biodigesters were made into large, proactive in their communities and polyethylene tubes, which can range contribute to the preservation of our from just a few feet, to more than Costa Rica is an environment. 50 feet long and 15 feet in diameter. Although it is a growing phenomA typical biodigester converts animal exceptional example enon in the United States, we still waste (most commonly from cows) into of what it takes to be have a long way to go, and it leads methane, where it is trapped and used an eco-friendly one to question: What would it be for cooking and heating purposes. By like if "going green" truly came to be preventing methane from freely circucountry and a defining feature of our country? Is lating in the atmosphere, biodigesters demonstrates the it possible? Is it realistic? A handful of reduce greenhouse gas emissions that students from USU had the opportucontribute to Earth's climate change. positive effects of nity to experience just that and find out Biodigesters also provide farmers choosing ecological for themselves through a USU Study with relatively cheap means of energy alternatives. However, Abroad program to Costa Rica that and improve sanitation of farmlands. took place over Spring Break. Farmers can rely on a biodigestor to such effects are only Costa Rica is a country known for heat their houses, instead of burning achieved through being "eco-friendly" and was ranked propane and firewood, which are curthird on the 2010 Environmental rently adding to the emission of greennational awareness. Performance Index. Costa Rica is conhouse gases. sidered to be the greenest country in Burning firewood also contribthe world. This made it an ideal place for USU students utes to the deforestation of Costa Rica's rainforest and to experience firsthand what living in an environmental- increases the amount of work needed to supply a farm's friendly country would be like. energy needs. Biodigesters solve many risks and problems In Costa Rica, environmentalism is truly present on a associated with farming and provide poor to middle-class farmers with an eco-friendly, inexpensive and sanitary national level. Not only is the Costa Rican government extremely involved in the preservation of the environ- form of renewable energy. ment, but its influence could be seen on the streets of the While touring through Costa Rica, it's hard to forget major cities. A chief contributor to Costa Rica's conservathat you're in a country that is so ecologically aware. tionism is the organization FONAFIFO (Fondo Nacional Street corners with recycling bins, signs and billboards de Financiamiento Forestral/ National Fund of Forest promoting conservation, and friendly reminders to conFinancing). serve water in bathrooms are just a few of the ways FONAFIFO is the leading national financial institu- that the Costa Ricans promote ecological awareness. tion and through whom their Payment Program for Spreading awareness about our impending ecological Environmental Services provides incentives for landownissues is a great way to remind and encourage our society ers with forestry potential to promote, maintain and to make a conscious effort to choose a more eco-friendly recover the forests of Costa Rica. lifestyle. In addition to providing monetary incentives for forest Costa Rica is an exceptional example of what it takes to conservation, they serve as an excellent example for the be an eco-friendly country and demonstrates the positive people of Costa Rica to protect and preserve their natural effects of choosing ecological alternatives. However, such surroundings. effects are only achieved through national awareness and Upon arriving in Costa Rica, it was obvious that con- cooperation. Costa Rica is only a fraction of the size of FARMS USE BIODIGESTORS to convert animal waste into methane. USU student Emily Davis traveled to Costa Rica to experience environmental-friendly living. photo courtesy EMILY DAVIS the United States, in square miles and population; therefore lending itself to being more manageable in terms of obtaining participation and promoting awareness. What does this mean for the United States? Obviously, installing biodigesters in our backyards is not feasible for most of us and access to government funding is often limited. But that doesn't mean that a "green" means of living is beyond our reach. Promoting awareness of the adverse effects greenhouse gases, recycling and involvement in the community are all small, yet significant, acts that contribute to a more eco-friendly campus, state and, ultimately, a "greener" nation. Emily Davis is part of the USU Study Abroad program. Read The Statesman every Monday for more study abroad experiences. Professor and news anchor to visit USU during week WE'RE LOOKING FOR TALENTED STUDENT PERFORMERS! The Disney College Program is BY USU ENGLISH DEPARTMENT On Thursday, March 25, at noon in Eccles Conference Center 205-207, the USU American Studies Program will present Mount Holyoke College professor of Art History Anthony Lee with "In the Opium Den." Lee will discuss a photograph made in 1901 or 1902 of a San Francisco opium den by Isaiah West Taber, a rather obscure photographer today but well known in his own day. The photo offers an entirely different version of the opium den, for it pictured not a Chinese man in the throes of ecstasy but a Mexican man posing as a Chinese addict inviting the viewer to join them. Lee will also offer insights in to how historical photos can be treated. This event is made possible through support from the Utah Humanities Council, the departments of English and history at USU, HASS Dean Yolanda Flores-Niemann and Graduate Dean Byron Burnham. At 11:20 Friday, March 26, in the USU Haight Alumni Center, the Distinguished Alumni Series will present Amanda Butterfield. Butterfield is the anchor of "Eyewitness News" at 4, 4:30 and 6:30 p.m. When she first came to KSL 5 Television, Butterfield was the early morning reporter for "Eyewitness News Today" and "Eyewitness News at Noon." She then moved up to anchor "Eyewitness News" on the weekends along with Keith McCord. Butterfield is thrilled to be back in her home state, working at the station she grew up watching. Born and raised in Bountiful, she went to Woods Cross High School, then on to Utah State University where she played soccer on scholarship and graduated in communications. seeking Animated Character Performers and Parade Performers to perform at the Walt Disney World® Resort near Orlando, FL Special consideration will be given to Disney Animated Character "look-alikes" and individuals 4'8" — 5' and 6' — 6'3". Applicants must view an online semester. presentation and attend an audition . Check out our Web site at www.disneycollegeprogram.com Drugs: Praying for the victims /entertainment for further details and an online application . Dance the day away! - h.& kg., continued from page 6 cerned with stupid, frivolous things. That afternoon, every petty concern of each respective person around me seemed ridiculously superficial and frivolous. How dare life go on in Logan, not concerning itself one measly bit with the murders down south? My brain turned into lead. My soul felt heavy. Why do such acts of torture and perversion exist in our world? How do men disregard so callously the precious gift of life? How do such innocent, promising individuals find themselves victims of such brutal, insensitive violence? Why do these criminals succeed in inflicting terror, fear and pain in Juarez? Is there no end to the darkness that is engulfing and pervading the security of a border town so close to my home? I remember memories of a time before the violence. Walking across the border at night with my luggage, from the Juarez airport, being accosted by customs because my sister confessed that she had mandarin oranges. Going to and from the LDS temple with my youth group. Who can forget the crazy Cinco de Mayo celebrations? Or the market? The silly dresses we got for my sister's wedding reception? Now it is all silenced. Deadened. Haunted. The ciudad lives in fear. An unspoken cur- . few blankets the poverty-stricken streets. In such a hopeless situation, I think the only thing anyone can hope to have is hope itself. Hope is strong and unbreakable. Hope preserves us when nothing else can or will. If we do not have hope, we have nothing. All we have is despair and ache. The reign of terror becomes maddening. The murders seem endless. We can only hope and pray, pleading above for any sort of abatement or miracle or action that will spare lives. Hope for change. Hope for a better world. Never give up. Never lose sight of how beautiful the world possibly can be. Dear readers, please join me in praying for Juarez, for the families and friends of the victims, and anyone who is adversely affected. Please pray for peace. It will help give me hope. Melissa Condie is a senior majoring in music education. Questions or comments can be sent to her at m.condie@aggiemail. usu.edu . Audition Friday, March 26 3:30 PM Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center 138 West Broadway (300 South) Salt Lake City, UT 84101 ISNEID college' pro g ram EOE • Drawing Creativity from Diversity • ©Disney |