Pro-green rally at Gibson

More than 100 students gathered on Tulane’s campus Saturday for the 350 rally, aimed at promoting environmental awareness on campus. The rally’s name refers to the 350 parts per million of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere that scientists say is the safe upper limit.

A student band plays on the lawn in front of Gibson at the 350 rally last Saturday

Tulane Green Club President Brett Levin and Luke LaVanway, president of the Tulane Environmental Action League, helped plan the event.

“All the scientists say that 350 parts per million is the highest number that is safe,” LaVanway said. “[The world] is at 370, so we definitely need to do some work.”

Tulane was not alone in its environmental efforts last weekend.

“This past weekend was the international weekend of climate awareness,” Levin said. “There were events taking place around the world.”

Levin said that part of the motivation for planning the rally was to get Tulane students active in helping the environment.

“Some people feel like most kids don’t care about environmental degradation,” Levin said. “The rally was a place where students could show that they care [about the environment].”

One goal of the rally was to reach out to local politicians.

“We wanted to show leaders in New Orleans that Tulane students are committed to climate action,” LaVanway said.

Sophomore Angie Baroffio attended the event.

“It was really nice to have the rally on campus the day of the international event,” Baroffio said.

Those involved in the event also said they wanted to increase awareness of environmental issues in the community at large.

“I feel like the event was a really nice way to connect with the community and to raise awareness among people in the uptown area,” Baroffio said.
Many students said that the rally was successful in accomplishing its goals.

“It was a good event,” Levin said. “We got a lot of press; the event was in the Times-Picayune.”

LaVanway said that many students from Tulane, Loyola and Xavier came to the rally.

“I was very happy with it,” LaVanway said.