Carnegie Mellon students are exposed to a variety of environmentally focused classes in the arts, sciences, engineering and humanities however they do not always remember what they learn when they go back to their rooms at night. The Eco-Reps program was started so that students would be empowered to teach their peers how easy it can be for their house to make less of an ecological footprint.

My environmental passion comes from sustainable architecture, for Im especially interested in how people relate to their surroundings inside and outside the built environment.

The most exciting NEW initiative on campus is the Eco-Rep green living program. Peer to peer education where you live on campus is a fun, effective way for students to engage and motivate each other to learn about their personal impact on Earths life support systems.

My hope is that the Eco-Rep Program will become a permanent student program at Carnegie Mellon and the sustainable living practices learned on campus will persist beyond graduation and through adulthood.

Earth Day 1970 was my first inspiration to be eco-minded. My family lived on an organic farm in Naperville Illinois, and we sold our produce and eggs at our roadside vegetable stand and farmers market. I went canoeing and camping in wilderness area's and the pristine beauty I experienced will always be with me. My up-bringing taught me to 'want' to do my part, to keep the earth healthy.

Rosemary is a senior communication design major and also a Fifth Year Scholar for 2006-2007, planning to develop a communication and marketing strategy for Carnegie Mellon's Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research (SEER). She is dedicated to using design to improve communication about environmental initiatives and activities. Rosemary has studied sustainable architecture at Ecosa Institute in AZ, currently coordinates communications for the Carnegie Mellon Solar Decathlon 2005 & 2007 teams, interns with Green Practices, and TAs 'Design and Social Change'.

Hello! I am a first-year. I am a Minnesotan! I love humanity!

My interest in the environment stems from my deeply rooted passion in humanity. I believe we live in a world where everyone and everything are interconnected. This includes the way we in which live our lives. We can choose to make decisions based on self interest, but it is important to understand that our actions affect those around us. Encouraging sustainable life practices in others through the Eco-Reps program provides an excellent outlet for me to empower others in respecting people and the environment we live in.

Through the Eco-Reps program, I hope to foster a sense of caring and respect for humanity and the environment among the Global Studies residents. I hope to achieve this by merging the idea of life and work into one vision. Being able to help only one person makes the Eco-Reps experience worth it. How Empowering!

I am from a town outside Washington, D.C. called Springfield. In this town there are over one million people. It is over populated, under funded, and polluted beyond recognition.

My family is originally from a small farm town, Dillon, South Carolina. After visiting there and seeing what an impact we have on the rural farmers and townspeople, such as the affect acid rain (caused by smog pollution) has on their crops, it was eye-opening to see the contrapuntal argument that we could do something to help these people. There are billions around the world who don't have enough water or food to eat and there is so much that we could do to help this cause, among others.

This microcosm of the earth I portrayed above is a simple example of the devastation that abuses to our environment can cause and it is with that that I decided to take a small role towards that rehabilitation.

I am a First-year architecture student from Margate, New Jersey. I was drawn to Carnegie Mellon because of its commitment to the environment. I have always been passionate about the study of architecture and how it is possible to be benefit the environment through building. The Eco-Reps program is the perfect supplement to this. I look forward to learning how to be a eco-friendly person and architect and hope to inform others about the same.

I grew up on a small farm in a little town a few miles South-West of Nairobi, Kenya. During my childhood I was made aware of the impact an individual can have on the world around them. I would occasionally help my mom pick up trash along the road as we walked home from church and would be in awe of what a difference the two of us had made in just a few minutes.

The underlying culture in Kenya is one of great appreciation for natural beauty. It was therefore disturbing to see for the first time the massive devastation in WV , my state of residence, caused by a destructive mining process known as mountaintop removal. What came as an even bigger shock was the utter disregard for the livelihood of area residents, which is sacrificed because of the energy industry's dependence on coal, and the nations excessive use of electrical energy.

I see the need to educate those around me, to help them see the difference a single person can make through simply modifying their routines and being conscious of the impact they have. I believe it is the responsibility of every individual to protect the world around them just as much as it is their right to live in it and benefit from its fruit. I just try to do my part.

I am currently a junior in H&SS. I have always been interested in the environment and learning how to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Being an Eco-Rep has given me the opportunity to learn more about the environment and meet eco-consious peers. I enjoy planning programs to educate the Carnegie Mellon community about environmental issues.