By Taylor Paraboschi
A forty-minute protest was held outside Hofstra Hall last Monday by the Progressive Student Union (PSU) and Students for a Greener Hofstra condemning the uses of clean coal.
“Make fossil fuels extinct,” and “Clean coal is as real as Santa Clause,” protestors dressed as elves cheered as they handed out pamphlets to passing students, debunking the myths of clean coal.
A Polar Bear sitting dejectedly outside of the Axinn Library, holding a sign that stated, “Desperately seeking change: Oil addition ruined my life,” further enforced their message of the harmful effects of clean coal.
“Clean coal is dirty, both in the mining of it and in the burning of it,” said Laura Comer, a junior who is president of Students for a Greener Hofstra. Comer also said they want to educate people, so they won’t be susceptible to the illusions about coal being clean.
Comer talked about how the effects of coal need to be reversed by 2015 in order to preserve the environment. Comer added that she hopes that the presidential candidates will make it a priority in their talks during the debate to address the effects of clean coal, as well as some alternatives that they plan on using.
“I hope that the will talk about smarter, safer alternatives to coal,” she said.
And as for a safer, greener alternative? “We need to look towards safer, renewable energies such as wind and solar power,” Comer said. “These types of energies are not only renewable, but are safe, and won’t destroy the environment.”
She added that not only will these alternative energies be renewable and safe, but they will also create jobs and help boost the economy.
Along with protesting for a greener environment, the PSU also urged young people to vote through the organization Power Vote. This organization not only strives toward getting one million young people to vote in the upcoming election, but also the idea of making a greener earth their principal reason for voting.
“Hopefully the power vote will show the candidates that we are serious about this and it will make them look at smarter, safer alternatives,” Comer said.
PSU member Michael LaFemina poses as Santa Claus, who is protesting against “clean coal” technology. PSU is working with Students for a Greener Hofstra to ensure all students are educated about the dangers of clean coal (Jacqueline Hlavenka)