Protecting the environment is a cause that many people deem essential for the endurance of future generations.
While some people go to great lengths to be eco-friendly, others perform simple daily routines that leave a lasting impact.
As part of its “Do One Thing” campaign, SMU’s Sustainability Committee, comprised of faculty, students and staff who support increased environmental awareness on campus, is holding its second annual Green Minute Video Contest.
Formed in an effort to promote the importance of going green, the contest invites SMU students to create a video that shares their own “DOT”— one action that helps make the world a little more environmentally friendly.
These acts may vary from riding a bike to using more recycled paper.
The top three videos will not only be premiered and streamed live from the TEDxSMU lecture series on Oct. 16, but the winners will receive cash prizes as well.
The first, second and third place winners will collect $350, $150 and $100, respectively. The first place video will be featured on the SMU homepage and may be used to promote campus sustainability on other sites.
Kim Cobb, the outreach committee chair for the SMU Sustainability Committee, believes that the contest “is a way to reach our own SMU audience with humor and imagination. And it’s a terrific way to share our students’ passion with the outside world.”
“If you look at the haze over the Dallas skyline, you can’t help but think we need to do a better job of taking care of our planet. But we also have to think about the things that are not so obvious …Where better to spread the word about sustainability than a college campus? Students here are developing habits and ideas they will carry for the rest of their lives,” she said.
Cobb cites creativity as a key determinant of success; creativity “doesn’t depend on fancy equipment or mad technical skills. Our winning video last year was very simple, but it was quirky and fun. It looked great on the videoboard at Ford Stadium.”
In her video, last year’s winner, Leksi Gawor, contrasted insensible laws to the sensible concept of sustainability.
Gawor offers this advice to 2010 applicants: “It’s important to get your message across in a simple manner while adding some pizzazz to it!”
The Sustainability Committee has a supporter in SMU sophomore Ankita Krishnan. Krishnan understands the importance of being environmentally conscious “because at the end of the day, it doesn’t just affect everyone else, it affects you as well.”
Contest entries must be submitted to [email protected] by noon Friday, Oct. 8 in either .mp4, .mov or .wmv formats; videos should be no longer than one minute.
Students may enter either individually or in teams, but all applicants must be current SMU students.
The contest winners will be decided on by the Sustainability Committee’s executive board.
