Group Summary

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In our research we found that the coverage of on the environment in society is more ubiquitous among social media than the more traditional media outlets. When we researched “solar AND wind” among four major newspapers in the past 3 months, only 9 stories came up in the results. Whereas we also found that people were actively commenting on Wal-Mart’s Facebook page concerning their sustainability initiative. Books and academic journals generally had good information, but sometimes it was difficult to find stories that were up-to-date.

What does this mass media trend say about our society and the environment?

We would like to suggest that this denotes a marked difference between how mass media channels and individuals view the environment. The trend within social media indicates that individuals see that the environment is important, and that the way we utilize our natural ecosystems has a direct effect on society. On the contrary, mass media outlets seem to brush over certain environmental debates. This is despite the fact that, as we have shown, the way in which we understand and care for the environment is very pertinent to the more covered healthcare, energy, global warming, affordable housing, and food discussions.

Whether or not this phenomenon is actual in practice or purposeful on the part of traditional mass media outlets remains to be seen. However, our observations do have an interesting application to the ideas we have been discussing in class. First, the comparative increase of environmentalism among social media outlets over traditional media channels supports the active user theory. If users are creating media of a different variety than the traditional media, clearly, they are filtering out certain elements and engaging media critically.

Also inherent when discussing mass media and the environment are the issues of political controversy and the media’s “watch dog” role. By cutting corners on certain environmental issues the media has certainly ceased to function as a watch dog. When our blog focused on food, it was clear to see that there are problems with our system, but very few media outlets focus on this. This failure is closely tied with political controversy. A large degree of political change would have to occur in order for our society to become better in tune with the environment and reap more of its benefits. Presently, more traditional media outlets are obviously not ready to incite this change.

But why? Fear of advertising revenues? It could be that conglomerates, which own other companies that engage in environmentally irresponsible business practices, own certain mass media channels. Perhaps it could be explained by demographics. Newspapers might run fewer stories about the environment and more stories on health care, because there readers are generally elderly. Similarly, different television news channels may present skewed view of environmental issues that are more in line with their average users’ political idealology. That being said, more coverage is needed on how our society and the environment can mutually benefit, rather than hurt, one another.

FU Sustainability

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Sustainability has gained much fame in recent years and is the newest trend today. The media has a large part in pushing sustainability and encouraging individuals to be more sustainable. Furman is no exception. According to an article in the Journal of Environmental Education, Susan Strife says that despite media buzz surrounding environmental sustainability, there is a lack of education surrounding the issue. She thinks that incorporating a human element into sustainability is vital for the success of the movement. That is exactly what Furman is trying to do: educate and humanize the issue.

What is sustainability?

  • Meeting humanities present needs while enriching the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

What are Furman‘s sustainability goals?

  • Furman seeks to lead the way to a more sustainable future, and to better educate students about both living sustainable lives and becoming environmental leaders who will be able to contribute to a more sustainable world. On Furman’s campus, we are exploring the concept of sustainability not only in theory but also as a way of living and learning that can be practiced right now, an approach to stewardship that influences every decision.

How are students getting involved?

  • Environmental Action Group (EAG)
  • Furman Forward
  • Furman in the Garden
  • Sustainable Connections
  • Upstate Forever Furman Chapter
  • Environmental Community of Students
  • Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors can live in the greenbelt
  • Freshman can live in a green dorm room
  • Student Climate Action Revolving Fund
  • The Furman Farm

How is Furman being more sustainable?

  • Solar Installations produce energy and provide opportunities for teaching
  • Solar Panels at Cliffs Cottage provide energy use for the building
  • Solar Thermal systems at Cliffs Cottage and the PAC provide hot water
  • Replace the HVAC heating/cooling system in North Village with a more energy efficient geothermal pump.

How is Furman getting the word out?

  • Information is available on the website
  • Kil-A-Watt challenge is publicized with banners and flyers around campus
  • Educational courses available to students
  • Articles on FU net
  • In the media, such as Glass Guides, Clean Air-Cool Planet, and the Greenville News.

Energy Star in the Spotlight

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We’ve all seen the commercials trying to sell washers and dryers to us, but lately the commercials all have one thing in common: Energy Star.

What is Energy Star?

  • Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy
  • Goal is to help Americans save money and protect the environment through energy efficient practices and appliances
  • Americans helped save $17 million and reduce greenhouse emission of 30 million cars in 2009 with the help of Energy Star.
  • Energy Star produces appliances like washers, dryers, refrigerators to light fixtures, water heaters and much more.

Although the government may have created Energy Star, before researching this topic I had no idea it was associated with the government. So how is the word being put out there about this program? One word: Advertisements

Who is Advertising?

  • Sears
  • Lowes
  • Maytag
  • General Electric
  • Whirlpool

The advertisements are hitting the airways hard, mostly with commercials. The commercials advertise lower energy and water bills. The appliances are bigger and more efficient and usually tend to be directed towards families. These commercials are effective because in this economy, everyone is trying to save their pennies. Name brands are teeming up with Energy Star to offer their customers savings. Energy Star is also making headlines in the newspapers. Energy Star appliances are recommended in helping make homes more green by the Oregonian and The Washington Post. The New York Times explains why it pays to be green.

Why should You buy Energy Star Appliances?

  • Save money on energy and water bills, not to mention a tax rebate
  • Help reduce your carbon footprint and reduce greenhouse emissions
  • Better suited for your lifestyle (bigger size, etc.)
  • Stylish stainless steal appliances with the Energy Star logo may help increase home value

So take a closer look at those advertisements next time. Are the advertisements going green to just make more green or do they stand behind the ideas? It’s a win-win either way.

Lowe’s Energy Star Commercial

It’s Getting Hot in Here: Global Warming is Heating up Hollywood

Global warming is one of the hottest issues in the media today. The issue is discussed heatedly in the political arena along with being a hot commodity in providing entertainment in Hollywood.

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An Inconvenient Truth

Academy Award winner for Best Documentary, this movie is based on Al Gore’s personal journey, this movie gives us facts and future predictions of global climate change. This documentary film shows us that this is no longer a political issue, but a moral one as well.

Fact or Fiction?

An Inconvenient Truth is an eye opening experience of the effects of global warming. But are the issues present in the movie accurate?

  • According to Washington Post journalist Robert J. Samuelson this movie gives us an illusion that we know enough to solve the problem. He says we can’t do much about it until we’ve discovered new technology.
  • The facts presented in the film seem to be mostly correct, according to National Geographic.
  • On the other hand, information presented by Al Gore at the recent Copenhagen climate change summit are questionable according to a New York Times article. This clouds our judgement on his accuracy during the film.

It’s up to you to believe what’s presented in the film as accurate. Unfortunately, the only thing hot in this movie is the weather.

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The Day After Tomorrow

This movie may show the chilling effects of global warming, but Jake Gyllenhaal brings enough heat to the screen to satisfy the viewers. The movie captures the thrilling story of a climatologist trying to save the world and his son after abrupt climate change unleashes cataclysmic weather patterns.

Fact or Fiction?

Although filled with special effects keeping the audience sitting on the edge of their seat, could events shown in the movie be a result of global climate change?

  • According to Jeffrey Masters, Ph. D, the movie is based on scientific fact that global climate change affects weather patterns but the sudden climate shift would not cause the instant weather disasters depicted in the movie.
  • The PEW Center on Global Climate Change agrees that the extreme weather depicted in the film is not realistic.

This movie has made over the issue of global warming Hollywood-style. According to CNN and MSNBC this movie spurred many questions and concerns over the issue.

Is the Fear Justified?

  • More than 14,000 people died in France in 2003 because of a heat wave
  • 160,000 people are dying every year from extreme weather conditions, and this number is estimated to double by 2020

Climate change definitely provides Hollywood with good material that will attract viewers. Could this be our future?

I Want YOU to Recycle

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Remember learning about the three R’s in elementary school? Remember reading books such as the Great Trash Bash? Remember watching television shows like Sesame Street and learning the importance of recycling? Through educational books and television shows is how most kids learn about the importance of recycling. But now that we are grown up, what are the real benefits of recycling and how are some practical ways to apply the education we learned about in elementary school?


Top 10 Reasons to Recycle (According to the EPA and the National Recycling Coalition)

1.Recycling reduces the need for landfilling and incineration

2. It saves energy

3. Conserves natural energy such as water and timber

4. Decreases emissions of greenhouse gases

5.  Protects and expands U.S. Manufacturing jobs

6. Increases U.S. Competiveness

7. Protects wildlife

8. Reduces waste

9. Good for the environment

10. Helps sustain the environment for future generations!


So we know recycling is both beneficial and useful. Numerous publications, such as Recycling Today magazine help inform consumers about the latest issues concerning recycling. The media also informs citizens on steps companies are taking in helping recycle. For example, according to Greentech Enterprise, Sony launched Greenfill, a place where consumers can bring their old electronics and recycle them. This positive press helps to encourage citizens to recycle on a daily basis.


So What Can YOU Do as a Furman Student?

  • Look for the blue recycling bins in the Dining Hall and PalaDen to dispose of plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and paper
  • Ask your RA about putting a recycling bin in your room
  • Dispose of recyclable items in the marked bins by the dumpsters!
  • Buy recycled products

What do I recycle?

The NRC says the top 5 items to recycle are:

1. Aluminum

2. PET plastic bottles

3. Newspaper

4. Corrugated cardboard

5. Steel cans


All of the recycled items at Furman are collected every week and transported to the recycling center where distributers can sort them and give them to manufacturers who can turn them into useful products.

It’s so easy a caveman could do it! So start recycling!!

To Go Organic or to Not Go Organic?

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Organic is the newest fad in being green and healthy. It is available in most every supermarket and we see the USDA green seal almost everywhere. Many people believe that organic food is healthier for you, when in fact, many people question its overall nutritional value compared to other food grown in conventional methods. So what is the real deal with organic food?

We see the green seal and hear all the talk about organic products, but what actually does it mean to be organically grown?

  • no pesticides
  • no insecticides
  • no fertilizers
  • no ionizing radiation
  • Animals are not given growth hormones
  • Approved by certified USDA employees

Aka organic food is natural. Do you really want all those things on your apple and in your salad?

The debate about organic vs. Non organic is ongoing in the media daily. According to an article in the Sunday Times and Redbook Magazine there are many arguments for and against buying organic products.


Go Organic!

  • Organic farms pollute less
  • Pesticides can be cancer causing
  • Farmers can become sick from chemicals used in conventional farming methods
  • May have higher nutritional value because of the absence of certain pesticides

Don’t Go Organic!

  • Organic food is more expensive up to 50% more expensive than conventionally grown crops
  • Organic food cannot feed the world
  • Better technology does allow conventional farmers to be more green and use less land for growing food
  • Organic food is not necessarily better for you

Organic products have grown to become quite popular all around the country. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, consumer demand for organically grown food has shown significant growth for over a decade. Here are some recent trends concerning organic food sales in the U.S.

  • Organic is now available in over 20,000 natural food stores
  • Organic products are available in 3 out of 4 conventional grocery stores
  • Organic sales account for about 3% of food sales
  • About 70% of people buy organic food occasionally

The choice to go organic is yours alone. If you can afford to buy organic food, experts recommend doing so. If not the Environmental Working Group recommends buying the “dirty dozen:” peaches, strawberries, cherries, potatoes, lettuce, imported grapes, along with other assorted fruits and veggies. Look for the USDA green seal when shopping for organic products. Happy Eating!