With Earth Day approaching, Central Oregon Community College is doing its part to minimize the negative effects of pollution and industrialization.

On April 19 COCC hosted a Bend campus climate teach-in at Willie Hall in the Coats Campus Center to discuss local efforts of conservation and climate change prevention. Speakers from the Bend city council, COCC and Oregon State University Cascades outlined plans and current actions that are being taken to minimize human impacts on the environment and help create a more sustainable future.

Talks included creating affordable housing that reduced the needs for driving, switching to electric powered vehicles, creating an OSU-Cascades campus that runs on geo-thermal heated buildings and solar power, and doing what you can to pick up trash around places you frequent. 

Christy Walker, Director of Inclusion at COCC said, “Some people don’t like to think about the things that don’t directly affect them.” 

30 million in funds are allocated to these projects in Oregon. Bend was selected for one of the potential developments that could begin as early as next year.

Neil Baunsgard of the Environmental center said, “Electric bikes are breaking down a lot of barriers.” Electric bike use is increasing rapidly in Central Oregon and reducing the use of cars and emissions. People are using them to commute to work, as sources of entertainment and to help reduce their carbon footprint.

Matt Shinderman, of OSU Cascades said, “The OSU-Cascades campus has a triple net-zero goal.” He was referring to the highest goal of sustainability of power, water and waste.

Benjamin Enyart

Reporter

Benjamin Enyart is a returning student majoring in psychology. He grew up in Bend and moved to San Francisco before returning to Bend. He played a little college basketball including playing in China. His passion has always been literature, writing and human behavior. Inspired by Steinbeck, he likes writing about the unrepresented, less glamorous parts of society.