Miami Dade College, in Partnership with GenerationEngage, to participate in Earth Hour Miami

March 22, 2009 - PRLog -- Miami Dade College (MDC), in partnership with GenerationEngage and through its Center for Community Involvement and Earth Ethics Institute, will participate in Earth Hour Miami by switching off all the external lights of its campuses in recognition of Climate Change Sat., March 28 from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. and hosting some special events. With an office at MDC, GenerationEngage is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that empowers young adults to become active citizens and engaged participants in their communities. They have held numerous events at the college from panel discussions to conversations with national leaders.

As part of Earth Hour, on Fri., March 27, students will enjoy food, refreshments and acoustic music outside the North Campus’ Lehman Theater from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This event is sponsored by GenerationEngage and the City of Miami Gardens.

On March 28, the day of Earth Hour, MDC students will participate in a rooftop reception at the downtown Miami Wolfson Campus marking this endeavor. They will also enjoy food, refreshments and acoustic music between 8:30 and 9:30 p.m. on the 5th Floor Terrace of Building 3 while looking across downtown Miami at other buildings whose employees are also participating in Earth Hour. Miami Mayor Manny Diaz will join the students in this observance since Miami is a flagship Earth Hour city.

Miami first participated in Earth Hour last year. However, this year’s campaign reaches across greater Miami.  There are about seven signature Earth Hour events taking place. All the events are aimed at raising awareness of climate change and green initiatives. Mayor Diaz, an MDC alumnus, has been a champion of these causes.

In addition to Miami, participating cities include Las Vegas, San Francisco, Copenhagen, Rome, Dubai, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, Mexico City, Moscow, Sydney and Tel Aviv. Currently, 540 cities in 75 countries have officially registered for Earth Hour.  While the core initiative of this year’s campaign remains the same – to turn off the lights for one hour – 2009 will also emphasize long-term sustainable goals.

MDC Leading the Environmental Awareness Effort

In 1993, Miami Dade College created the Earth Ethics Institute (EEI) to coordinate college-wide efforts to promote environmental literacy, but the College’s “green” legacy goes back much farther. The Environmental Education Center at the Kendall Campus launched in the 1970s as a demonstration center of best practices well before the environment was a topic of popular concern.

Today, one of the College’s 10 Learning Outcomes states that graduates should be able to “describe how natural systems function and recognize the impact of humans on the environment.” All instructors in all courses are encouraged to include this outcome in their curriculum.

In addition, the College Strategic Plan, which guides its growth, added the theme of Environmental Sustainability in 2007.  The Facilities Department has revised their design and construction standards for new construction/remodeling/renovation of facilities to include sustainability requirements. Moreover, Green Teams have been established at MDC’s campuses to involve everyone in going green.

Finally, the College is also a signatory of The Talloires Declaration, which is a U.N.-sponsored action plan for institutions of higher education to create a culture of environmental sustainability.

To register for Earth Hour or for more ideas about how to celebrate Earth Hour, visit www.EarthHourUS.org