University of Oregon law students challenge others to reduce carbon footprint

Media note: The challenge will be issued during an event beginning at 2:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 19, in Room 142, William W. Knight Law Center, 1515 Agate St.

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Nov. 19, 2007) -- University of Oregon students who spent the last three months reducing their carbon footprints as part of a class on Indian law, have challenged other students to follow suit.

Law professor Mary Wood invited students enrolled in the class to make small, Earth-friendly changes in their daily routines. Students who moved to more environmentally-friendly lifestyles earned points. Participants chose to bicycle rather than to drive to school, used energy efficient light bulbs, increased their recycling efforts and consumed locally grown organic food. One student even purchased a hybrid car.

The students, who have earned more than 500 points during the semester, challenged other UO classes and a couple of Eugene elementary schools to match their success.

"The 'Classroom Carbon Challenge' was very successful at keeping our individual and collective carbon footprint at the front of our minds," said law student Judson Brehmer. "If we could instill such accountability in all of our classrooms, and in society at large, what a difference we could make."

About the University of Oregon
The University of Oregon is a world-class teaching and research institution and Oregon's flagship public university. The UO is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU), an organization made up of 62 of the leading public and private research institutions in the United States and Canada. Membership in the AAU is by invitation only. The University of Oregon is one of only two AAU members in the Pacific Northwest.

Contact: Credence Sol, 541-346-1665, csol@uoregon.edu