Homecoming features Big Ten’s first ‘carbon-neutral’ football game

Tuesday, October 21, 2008


From an article by Dennis Chaptman on the UW-Madison news site:

As part of a campuswide commitment to reducing our environmental footprint, the Badgers' Homecoming game against the University of Illinois on Saturday, Oct. 25, has been designated a "carbon-neutral" game.

The game, the first of its kind in the Big Ten and one of the first in the nation, will offer a chance to raise awareness of environmental issues, such as the damaging effects of carbon dioxide and the benefits of conservation and recycling. The event will also provide information on ways fans can take action in their daily lives to become more environmentally friendly.

The game is also a way to highlight the Athletic Department's plans to implement a recycling and sustainability plan during the next five years.

"We're hoping this game will stimulate more awareness of environmental issues on the part of Badger fans everywhere and demonstrate the many ways in which athletics and the rest of our campus are making meaningful commitments to sustainability," says Chancellor Carolyn "Biddy" Martin.

The project has two aims: to offset carbon dioxide emissions generated directly by activities surrounding the game, and to make a continuing investment in a healthy environment by planting trees.

The project will involve the planting of thousands of trees at the Arington Tree Farm near Cambridge, beginning at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, when Bucky Badger, UW-Madison student-athletes and university officials will be on hand for the planting of the first seedlings.

The university's commitment also involves the purchase of carbon credits — made possible by an anonymous donor — to offset estimated game-day carbon dioxide emissions.

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