Courier

Media Credit: Alejandra Bayardo Hundreds of participants gathered at the Green California Community College Summit at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena on Oct. 8.

Community colleges have a responsibility in planning for the future, said Raquel Palmese, managing editor of Green Technology at the Community College Summit, held on Oct. 8 and 9.

In the midst of the ever-growing environmental concern, Green Technology, a non-profit Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education, held it's first summit at the Pasadena Convention Center.

"Many [community colleges] are becoming green buildings," said Palmese in regards to the number of community colleges - including Glendale and East Los Angeles, making the move toward an eco-friendly environment. "They are healthy and efficient."

Concurrent sessions were offered in various conference rooms where team members discussed ways to become "green" and provided information about hidden costs and dangers that communities face today.

Sessions included "The Cost of Green Building" and "Opportunities Green Chemistry Brings to Community Colleges."

Speakers from various corporations aimed at "building gateways to the green community," were called in to entertain and motivate.

Executive Director of Facilities Planning and Development for LACC District, Larry Eisenberg and Chancellor Emeritus of the LACC District Darroch, "Rocky" Young, were just a few of the speakers who shared their experience and desire to improve the environment.

Organizations such as Chevron, Lionakis, Dunn-Edwards Paints, and C&L Supply Company set-up booths giving out information and introducing new eco-friendly products and ideas.

"It's all about making smart choices," stated David Younger, principal of Lionakis, a company aimed at developing innovative and sustainable building designs.

"A sustainable building can increase test scores and reduce the absentee rate," he said.

Painting supply giant, Dunn Edwards Paint, used the summit as an opportunity to introduce a new line of "greener" paint and share their "research and development efforts aimed at producing the most eco-efficient paint and coatings possible."

Along with speakers and information booths, the term "green-collar" was a popular center of discussion. Neighboring community colleges have now taken the step in adding "green-collar" job training to their curriculum.

These classes are set to prepare students on future jobs centered upon finding new and efficient ways to improve the environment.

"Students get hands-on experience. [The classes] train future workforces for future jobs in what may turn out to be a dismal economic future," said Palmese.

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