Feelings were mixed after a We Conserve panel discussion Wednesday addressing the group’s efforts to reduce energy consumption at the University of Wisconsin.
The panel of speakers addressed a variety of issues surrounding the group’s attempt to decrease energy use by 20 percent by 2010 on the UW campus.
UW Provost Patrick Farrell said the campus needs to lead by example, and UW should treat energy use the same way students wish the issue be handled around the globe.
“We need to have the integrity to say, ‘If this is what I believe about how the world should behave, it better be what I believe about how the campus should behave,'” Farrell said.
We Conserve director Faramarz Vakili said student involvement is needed for the group to achieve its goal. He added student discussion about the program has been increased by the signs around campus created “to promote conversation about conservation.”
John Nelson, adjunct professor in the College of Engineering and a consultant to the design and construction industry, discussed plans for the construction of the Wisconsin Institutes of Discovery.
WID’s focus, Nelson said, will be to provide a center to bring together the various sciences to promote innovation in modern technology.
The two buildings will be energy efficient and will occupy the 1300 block of University Avenue between Campus Drive and University Avenue.
The concept of the main building, according to Nelson, is to have three floors devoted to laboratory studies with the ground floor serving as a social center.
UW College of Agriculture and Life Sciences professor Susan Thering gave a speech on social justice and its connection to building energy efficient and reasonably-priced houses, a mission she said UW makes a priority.
The panel answered questions surrounding WID, and Nelson stressed “We Conserve” is focused largely on the conservation of energy, not the use of renewable resources — which are not cost-effective in large-scale projects.
“There’s a misnomer that use of renewable resources will make a material difference, but it doesn’t,” Nelson said.
UW sophomore Tiffany Puccio expressed disappointment with Nelson’s response after the discussion.
“Basically, I feel that sustainability and renewable resources go hand in hand,” Puccio said. “It’s like this is what you’re supposed to be standing for, and it’s like you’re talking the talk, but you’re not walking the walk.”
Madison resident David Esbensen said he was pleased with the discussion because it indicates UW’s continual movement forward.
“UW has got a good start with its program, but has a long way to go, and they realize it,” Esbensen said. “I’m glad to see this is happening.”
Vakili commented during his speech on the small crowd of about 40 people, though he attributed some of the lack of turnout to competition with other events.
“I know that we’re competing with the Brewers’ game and the Obama campaign, which many students are going to see,” he said.
