Yesterday I reported on the obvious energy waste I observed on the Stanford campus. Reporting is one thing, acting is another. Today, I took upon myself to write to the Stanford Campus Energy Manager:
Hello Susan,
As a citizen of Palo Alto and frequent visitor on the Stanford campus, it has come to my attention that the University does not seem to enforce its energy conservation policy in quite a few public places. This is especially apparent during day time, when lights are being turned on at sporting events. Below is a link to a video and blog post I published yesterday in my environmental blog, reporting on my experience.
https://lamarguerite.wordpress.com/2008/03/29/theyre-oblivious/
I would appreciate hearing from you soon,
Sincerely,
Marguerite Manteau-Rao
Let’s see what Susan says.
Imagine what would happen if we all acted as stewards of the micro-worlds we live in?
La Marguerite 
Good for you Marguerite.
I would imagine that Stanford must be doing something, on campus. But, their actions, example, and any concerns they might be expressing (about global warming) don’t seem to get covered in the media. Living within a half-hour’s drive of Stanford, I don’t hear or see a thing about whatever climate/energy leadership they may be attempting.
As I’ve mentioned here before, I attended a great “Focus The Nation” event at Stanford, “great” in the sense of the program and speakers. But, very few students were there. I don’t have my notes in front of me, but perhaps 30-40 students, if that many.
Also, I think Stanford and Cal should consider having a “Big Green” event this Spring or Summer in one of the stadiums (I’m talking about a full stadium) to show some passion, energy, creativity, and so forth. Get the Trees and Bears together to show passion about protecting the environment. Invite some scientists, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell, Pete Seeger, the Google folks, the living members of the Grateful Dead (who started near Stanford in the early days), and many younger folks, of course.
I hope the great local universities will begin to play more of a VISIBLE leadership role.
By the way, one of the Board members of ExxonMobil is a Stanford prof, if I’m not mistaken.
Anyhow, great post Marguerite.
Thanks Jeff. My intent here is to point out our role and power as concerned citizens, wherever we are. Too often, we are silent bystanders, and accomplices to the big and small environmental crimes committed on a daily basis, right in our backyards.
I think stewardship is a really interesting concept. I learned about it first through The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey. For me it has gone so far that I don’t really like the concept of ownership anymore, even though it’s so pervasive in western society. Of-course, at the moment, it’s a nice (legal) organization principle, so I’m not proposing a revolution here. 😉
With a trend towards full transparency and ever increasing public scrutiny, discrepancies between social or environmental policies and practices can’t survive. As your particular action is showing, stated policies provide good “handles” to hold on to for activists. I don’t know if they consider your acts of disclosure as influential, but they should know that instead of you, it could be a far more influential group saying the same thing.
Maybe it’s wrong I’m assuming bad faith here.
Susan, Stanford, I’m watching. 🙂
Ann Florini has edited a good book on Transparency (especially related to activism) called “The Right to Know”.
Regarding what Jeff is saying: I don’t think it’s strange you don’t actually see leadership coming from established institutions. For them, or rather their management (it’s always about people), this would probably be a real burden, and in any case would require a total shift in mindset. Leadership on this has to come from outsiders. If you’re lucky you get a few concerned employees on board which could challenge the status quo from the inside.
Marguerite, good for you. That sounds like something I would do…of course one person’s “environmental steward” is another person’s “piece of work.” I’m proud to be considered by some to be a “piece of work.” I bet you are too!
I’m surprised by the seeming lack of interest from the Stanford students as reported by Jeff. This doesn’t jive with what I’m reading about this generation, but I have no reason to doubt Jeff. Maybe that particular event conflicted with classes, exams, or a keg party? I happened to hit the Harvard student website the other day and was thrilled to see so much emphasis on green!
Meryn,
You may be interested in visiting the JWT website. Part of their Top Trends for 2008 is ‘Radical Transparency’.
Lynn,
I like to think of myself as helper to the larger cause of climate protection. Ah! the virtue of reframing . . .
Marguerite, Meryn, and Lynn,
Happy Monday. A few comments . . .
I think transparency, and the trend toward transparency, is key. I agree. In fact, transparency provides the main opening and lever in other related things (related to global warming, energy, etc.) that I’m working on.
That said, converting transparency into beneficial action, as Marguerite is trying to do, does require action (such as Marguerite’s great example here) and, usually, persistence. Organizations or people who are “caught” in a situation where their actions are highly inconsistent with their stated policies often just ignore the matter, at first, when someone notices. Usually, one is left in a position of needing to follow-up. And, often, one has to take the transparency and sharing of info to the “next level”, i.e., to a large organization that can push on the matter or to the papers, etc.
Also, when it comes to prompting healthy change, I think we need more “pieces of work.” Any agent of positive change is going to be considered a “piece of work.” In fact, if somebody somewhere doesn’t consider you a “piece of work”, you might not be doing enough.
I also agree with the point about institutional hesitation to change and the notion that most change must come from, or be prompted by, the outside.
Indeed, in some ways, the best pathways-to-change involve lots of individuals taking individual steps like Marguerite, calling this organization to complain, posting about another situation, sharing concerns with friends, and so forth. Voting wisely. Buying an energy-efficient car. Lodging a (well-intended) complaint. And so forth.
If every person, or every woman, made five calls or sent five messages to “complain” (in a positive sense) about some disagreeable practice, or some hypocrisy, that would make a huge difference, especially if a decent portion of those “expressions” were followed-up with some persistence where necessary. If you are concerned about global warming, don’t worry if someone considers you a “piece of work.” Find your voice. (I would imagine that I’m “preaching to the choir” here.)
Cheers.
How about a ‘piece of work’ campaign? We will give Lynn credit . . . 🙂
Yes, and I think t-shirts are in order:
The front could say:
I CARE about
global warming
sustainability
the Earth
future generations
justice
and honesty
The back of the shirt would simply say:
Call me
A Piece of Work!
You guys are too funny. It’s nice to read LaMarguerite and have a laugh sometimes!
Jeff–by the time someone read the entire message you suggest for the front of the t-shirt, his wife would have pulled him away–or–the wearer of the long read would believe she is being stared at– and may enjoy it.
T-shirts, good promo– logo interesting– easy to market at cafepress.com or other on-demand web store??
piece-of-work campaign sounds engaging, friendly, sparky.
wait–wait–a video–a sound bite–an audio-logo on NPR.
From Australia to South Korea, from Switzerland to England–to rural Missouri and Paris of course.
A poster of a totally anonymous woman holding a camera on the site of a particular environmental offender.
Marguerite’s logo, or a design contest, t-shirts holding
sleeves across the globe in a dancing pattern. popping on kid’s coloring books–i see it..Please stop me–i’m elucidating.
Stop, Nadine . . . 🙂
Greenadine, Lynn, and Marguerite . . .
Thanks for the comments.
I like the whole “piece of work” notion and the related ideas, for several reasons.
“Piece of work” allows people to admit, “own”, and poke fun at something, some positive-change-agent effort, that is actually deeply important and serious. It’s a bit like the evening comedy shows: John Stewart and Colbert. By laughing at (or with) something, i.e., by “getting it”, one can actually convey serious truths with less discomfort or preachiness. It allows something to be said that would often be more difficult to say without the “fun” associated with the way of saying it.
Also, and very importantly, it connects well with the notion that members of the fairer sex are often the best and most active stewards of the planet and stewards of the well-being of future generations. As a concept, it fits.
And, although this may be related to the first point, it “permits” activism. In effect, it says, “Call me a ‘piece of work’ if you want! I don’t care! I’m happy to be a ‘piece of work’ for a great cause!”
It reminds me in a fun way of two great quotes:
“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.”
– Mahatma Gandhi
“… but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson (in his essay “Self-Reliance”)
And of course, there are potential variations on the theme:
Piece of Green Work
Piece of Work-in-Progress
Etc.
That’s it for now. Coffee time.
Cheers.
You will all be happy to know that I got a positive response from the Stanford Campus Energy Manager:
“Thank you for bringing this to my attention. Both personally and as campus energy manager, I do not like to see lights turned on when there is no apparent need for them. I will forward your email and URL to my facilities contacts at the Department of Athletics and make sure they are aware that the current operation of the field lights gives a negative impression to our neighbors as well as wasting energy and money.”
score one for the future. you live what you believe…
Another mail from Susan today:
‘I can’t make any promises on behalf of Athletics, but please don’t hesitate to let me know if you see them on again during the day (or late at night when no one is using the field, for that matter).’
Susan, you can be sure I will . . .