Author Archives: Elizabeth Carroll

Living Off-the-Grid

Living in a house “off-the-grid” sounds a bit like Henry David Thoreau’s Life in the Woods. In this ever-increasing age of digital interconnectedness, the thought of not being connected to a central electrical grid is bizarre, and for some, downright impossible to comprehend. However, green homes are not without electricity, nor are they too farContinue reading “Living Off-the-Grid”

Stressed Out Coral Reefs

Just like college students, coral reefs can get stressed out too. When coral gets stressed out, it loses its color, a process called coral bleaching. Healthy coral has a symbiotic relationship with single-celled, microscopic algae called zooxanthellae that live in the coral’s tissue. The algae are their primary source of food and are what giveContinue reading “Stressed Out Coral Reefs”

Mountaintop Removal

Even with new technologies in alternative fuels becoming increasingly available, efficient, and cost-effective, the world’s citizens are more reliable on fossil fuels than ever before. A new form of strip mining has emerged in the Appalachia region of the United States with devastating effects on the surrounding landscape and its people; it is called mountaintopContinue reading “Mountaintop Removal”

Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions

As the new year begins, the Office of Sustainability encourages you to consider a sustainable New Year’s Resolution for 2018! Check out our previous blog post if you’re in need of some ideas! We also found some students on campus that have their own eco-friendly resolutions. Our very own intern, Elizabeth, has resolved to stop using plasticContinue reading “Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions”

Appalachian State Energy Summit

In July of 2017, two of our interns, Cameron Skinner and Julia Steele (pictured below), attended the 6th Annual Appalachian State Energy Summit in Boone, NC. The Office of Sustainability was able to send these students to this out of state conference, thanks to the Sustainability Fee Program. They each shared their thoughts and experiencesContinue reading “Appalachian State Energy Summit”

Earth Week Snapchat Takeover

In honor of Earth Week 2017, the Office of Sustainability took over the Georgia College Snapchat (@georgiacollege). Throughout the week, followers were able to virtually meet the staff of the Office of Sustainability, tour the composting site and West Campus Garden, and learn what can and cannot be recycled on campus. The Snapchat was updated to show allContinue reading “Earth Week Snapchat Takeover”