Green in the Papers

Junior takes Rowan down green' path
By Jessica Beym, Gloucester County Times: Thursday, April 17, 2008

For Dana Bender, going green is not just about the planet's health.

It's about people's health as well.

Bender, a junior at Rowan University studying health promotion and fitness management, said she was struck with an idea last year when she was at a wellness conference in Wisconsin.

"I was inspired," said Bender, of Rockaway in Morris County. "I saw how health and the environment relate."

Bender came back to the Glassboro campus with an idea to promote the ideas of "going green," sustainability, and environmental issues.

After more than a year of planning, Bender and other student organizations at Rowan University held "Green Fest" on Wednesday.

During the day there were activities in the student center, sponsored by some of the local clubs on campus.

The evening was slated to have a variety of 10-minute presentations about different environmental issues, such as global warming, the environment, and what Rowan is doing on campus in terms of sustainability.

The students were also planning on watching the move, "The 11th hour" a film narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio about the environment and what can be done about it.

"We have diverse groups and the purpose of it, for me, was to ignite action to show students out there that so many issues are important," Bender said. "From fair trade coffee to clean oceans, there's so many issues."

As a student studying health issues, Bender said the environment definitely has its effects on people's health conditions.

"The fact that the climate is warmer, diseases are getting stronger," Bender said. "The environment is declining and its going to effect our eco-system. Certain things are blossoming at different times, and things are hatching at different times that don't meet what the animals eat."

But Bender said she doesn't like to focus on the negatives.

"I like to focus on the positive side, and what we can do about it."

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