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 YOU MUST BE THE CHANGE YOU WISH TO SEE IN THE WORLD. ~Mahatma Gandhi At the Campus Center for Appropriate Technology (CCAT), we value a healthy planet and its ethical treatment. CCAT seeks to demonstrate that living lightly upon Earth is neither difficult nor burdensome.
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EARTHKEEPER HERO:
CAMPUS CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY
by Wendy Jewell
CCAT is the "off the grid" dorm of Humboldt State University in Arcata, California. They get all of their power to run the house from the sun (solar), wind and a "human energy converter" that links a fleet of stationary bikes to 12-volt generators that in turn, power TVs, laptops and other home appliances. The seven "bikers" in this picture are running the sound system for a PEACE RALLY. CCAT is a demonstration home and educational center for resource conservation and sustainable living. It was started in 1978 by a group of students, with the support of faculty and administration, and to this day is student run and funded through HSU Associated Students. The founders of the program took a dilapidated university-owned house and began retrofitting it with energy-conserving technologies. Since then, thousands of students have gained knowledge and hands-on experience by modifying and adding to these technologies. Some of these include passive solar heating, solar electricity, gray water recycling, organic gardening, native plant landscaping, pedal-powered tools, non-toxic cleaning products, energy efficient appliances, and composting.
CCAT is open to the public and gives thousands of guided tours yearly such as the one pictured here where Eureka High School students are learning the basics of PhotoVoltaics(the process of generating electricity from sunlight). It also gives over 100 free workshops on topics related to sustainable living and serves as a resource center for information on applied technologies. The photo below is a demonstration of SOLAR OVENS at REF.  MyHero.com spoke with Eddie Tanner, a current Co-Director at CCAT. So how does one get to stay at this residence while at HSU? "A steering committee made up of past co-directors, HSU faculty and staff and community members conducts the interviews for directorship which consists of three students who serve one-year terms. These three directors administer the budget, manage fourteen student employees, co-ordinate student projects, maintain relations with the administration and work to develop the program. Interested students from any department can apply." If you could influence environmental policy in the United States, what would the first step be? "The personal is the political. When we start making environmentally conscious decisions in our everyday lives, government policy will shape itself to suit us. Vote with your wallet - buy the products you believe in." How can kids become involved in getting their own communities on board for the environment? "All it takes is a first step. Start thinking about ways of reducing your house's electricity bill or trash-load. Try it out, and then get your friends to do it too. Use CCAT as a resource. Our house uses less than 1/5 of the resources of the average U.S. home." Do you have any heroes and why? "Farmers and teachers are my heroes. They do the world's most important work with the least compensation or appreciation." CHECK OUT CCAT (http://humboldt.edu/~ccat/) AND START SAVING YOUR ENVIRONMENT TOO.
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Written by
Wendy Jewell
Photos courtesy of CCAT Images created by CCAT |
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CCAT The Campus Center for Applied Technology at Humboldt State University, California,U.S.A. Resource Center for all kinds of great environmental info. Real Goods: Products for an ecologically sustainable future Arcata Wildlife Sanctuary Arcata Recycling Committed to promote and demonstrate innovative and beneficial methods to conserve the Earth's finite resources |
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It is interesting to note that the city of ARCATA, in northern California where Humboldt State University is located went pesticide/chemical FREE several years ago. Hmmm. Maybe CCAT's influence? |
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| Australian Aborigines Protecting Wetlands by working to conserve the environment around them. | Barry Commoner works to protect the environment and raise awareness about the danger of radio activity. | Ben Redclay was an earthkeeper whose legacy lives on through his daughter. | Benjamin Kahn involves school children in regrowing coral to help save damaged reefs in the Red Sea. |
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| Beth Rickard Environmentalist is an advocate of solar as the energy of the future. | Bill Roley taught children in a Mexican orphanage how to work the land. | CAMPUS CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY at Humboldt State University. | Chico Mendes was a father who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defending rainforests. |
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| Chief Oren Lyons is an internationally venerated advocate for preserving biodiversity. | David Nathan Chain was killed during a nonviolent protest to save the redwoods. | Deland Chan started an environmental group at the YMCA in New York City. | Dennis Weaver is an actor and advocate for ecologically sustainable living. |
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| Dian Fossey worked to protect the endangered Mountain Gorilla. | Donald Knaack is a musician whose unique productions inspire people of all ages to explore, create and give back to others. | Dr. E.O. Wilson studies the impact that human activity has on the planet. | Dr. Elvia Niebla Soil Scientist is dedicated to soil conservation. |
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| Dr. Richard Murphy Marine Biologist educates others about the sea and ways to protect the oceans for the future. | Dr. Robert Ballard and the JASON project bring scientific exploration to children around the world. | Dr. Shirley McGreal founded the International Primate Protection League. | Dr. Vandana Shiva works to preserve biodiversity for the planet. |
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| Envirofit retrofits engines to reduce pollution and enhance energy efficiency in developing countries. | Fin Donnelly works to keep our rivers and waters clean. | Frances Moore Lappe works to eliminate the injustices that cause hunger. | Friends of Nature: Mr. Liang Congjie is a voice for China's environment. |
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| Friends of the Sea Lion rescue, treat, and release these mammals back into the ocean. | George Schaller is a world-renowned naturalist. | Gerald Durrell established the Jersey Wildlife Preservation Trust for endangered species. | Greenpeace works globally to save the environment. |
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| Hayrettin Karaca is known as Grandfather Earth for making our planet brighter, greener and better for future generations. | Heather DeWitt is a devoted conservationist. | J.N. (Ding) Darling , conservationist and cartoonist, used his art to raise awareness about the environment. | Jack Johnson is a musician who encourages kids to take care of the environment. |
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| Jack Sim has started a worldwide campaign for clean public toilets and better sanitation standards. | Jacques Cousteau invented the Aqua-Lung, a predecessor to the SCUBA systems used by divers worldwide today. | Jane Goodall is an authority on wild chimpanzees. | Jane Goodall …is a renowned expert on chimpanzees and works to educate people about their own power to improve the environment. |
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| Jean-Michel Cousteau is committed to protecting the ocean for future generations through education and conservation. | Jody Williams is a human rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner who began a campaign to rid the world of landmines. | John McConnell founded Earth Day (March 20) and continues his fight for environmental education and awareness. | John Muir advocated preservation, feeling that natural areas promote mental health. |
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| Joseph Ki-Zerbo works to help Africans retain control of their country's agriculture. | Julia Hill brought public attention to deforestation in California. | Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park is the only park in the Americas established and run by indigenous peoples. | Kory Johnson was honored with the Goldman Environmental Prize in 1998. |
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| Laurie David is passionately committed to stopping global warming. | Lee Myung-Bak is responsible for making Seoul, South Korea 'cleaner and greener' during his tenure as mayor. | Marjory Stoneman Douglas worked tirelessly to preserve the Everglades. | Mia Siscawati teaches people to protect their environment. |
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| Michael Reynolds Garbage Warrior combines biology and architecture to build sustainable housing. | Mrs. Mei Ng: Friends of the Earth (Hong Kong) uses education to foster environmental awareness in China | My Trip to Catalina Island Slater, a young environmental and peace activist, meets her hero, Jean-Michel Cousteau. | Nicole Dewing and Curtis McCormack joined the Peace Corps and started a waste recycling project in Joal, Senegal. |
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| Ocean Robbins helps organize young people committed to protecting the planet. | Prigi Arisandi works to educate people on the importance of protecting the rivers of Indonesia | Rachel Carson was the mother of the environmental movement. | Ramani Sankaranarayanan and Geeta Vaidyanathan founded CTxGrEn to show villagers how to turn native materials into fuel for electricity. |
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| Reef Ball Foundation restores damaged coral reef systems around the world. | Ric O'Barry works to free captive dolphins around the world. | Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is an eco-warrior defending the earth for future generations. | Robert Redford established the Sundance Film Festival to effect change in the world. |
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| Rory Stear and Kristine Pearson developed and distribute wind-up and solar powered radios to poor communities around the world. | Roxanne Kremer works with the Mestizo Indians of the Peruvian rainforest to save pink dolphins. | Ryan Hreljac helps build wells for clean water in Africa. | Saint Francis of Assisi was a true example of harmonious existence on Earth |
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| Sandra Postel believes in the importance of water conservation. | Severn Cullis-Suzuki an environmental activist, speaker, television host. | Stanislav Petrov averted nuclear disaster, yet remains unknown to most. | SUJANA cleans roads in Indonesia to help the environment. |
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| Suryo Wardhoyo Prawiroatmodjo educates people in Indonesia to protect the environment. | Sylvia Earle is a marine biologist and ambassador of the oceans. | Terram Foundation brings job growth, community involvement, and local solutions to larger environmental concerns. | Theodore Roosevelt worked tirelessly to protect wildlife and the environment. |
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| Wangari Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement that plants trees to help restore the desolate ecosystem in Africa. | Wes Jackson was a professor who returned to the land to advance sustainable agriculture practices. | William McDonough designs buildings for ecological sustainability. | YouthCaN is a youth- run organization promoting environmental awareness through technology. |
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| Zander Srodes and Turtle Talks has educated over 5,000 students on sea turtles and marine conservation. |
Last changed on:7/4/2004 9:59:52 AM
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