Banned from Earth Day: Brown College Republicans “Ideologically Inappropriate”

ANDREW KURTZMAN — Managing Editor

Earth Day at Brown University has, in years past, been a fairly reasonable, if perhaps one-sided, celebration of environmentalism. The College Republicans have always been invited, and have accepted this invitation as an opportunity to set up an “Industrial Revolution” table as a modest counterpoint. This has always been conducted in a respectful manner.

This year, we had intended to show the documentary “The Great Global Warming Swindle” (reviewed on page 22 of this issue), and hand out information about development in the third world. Additionally, it is our belief that attempting “climate neutrality” by purchasing what amount to Carbon indulgences is inefficient and wasteful for Brown, whose money would be better spent on improving the energy efficiency of its infrastructure, and investing the hundreds of thousands of dollars that it saves in research and financial aid, both of which have tangible returns on investment.

We consider our position to be extremely reasonable, and certainly at the very least worthy of consideration. However, after providing the above description of our plans, the College Republicans were uninvited to the Earth Day, explicitly for reasons of ideology. This is chronicled in the email exchange below. The Spectator would like to emphasize that this correspondence is a record of official statements written on behalf of the two groups; these are not personal letters.

The initial invitation from the Brown Environmental Action Network stipulates that the only requirement is for events to have a “general environmental theme,” which ours most certainly did.

Brown Environmental Action Network is hosting Brown’s EARTH DAY FESTIVAL on Wednesday, April 18 this year.

As in past years, the event is being held midday (around 11-2) on Lincoln Field. Along with vendors, food and product giveaways, live music, and Rhode Island advocacy groups, we are hoping to get as many student groups as possible to set up booths at the event. If your group is interested in participating, please email me with the following:
1) How much room you’ll need (how many six foot tables)
2) What activity you plan on offering—this should have a general environmental theme (though that can be interpreted broadly). Examples include: petition signing, letter-writing campaign, giveaways, arts and crafts . . . The activity should be INTERACTIVE.
Brown’s Earth Day Festival is a fantastic event that draws a lot of people. It can be a great way to advocate for an issue, get help with a project, or increase your group’s visibility. It will also coincide with ADOCH, so you can hook those pre-frosh before they even get here.

Whether your organization has been an Earth Day regular for years or hasn’t yet participated, everyone is welcome and encouraged to sign up. Please let me know BEFORE Spring Break if you are interested (if this deadline is too early, you can just commit without providing any activity details).
Thanks so much!
Yasmine Yu ‘10
On behalf of the Earth Day 2007 Coordinators

I sent a response accepting the invitation on behalf of the College Republicans, and linking to the documentary that we intend to show. We are asked to reconsider:

Hey Andrew,
I should have mentioned this beforehand, but the theme of Earth Day 2007 is a celebration of the University’s commitment to climate neutrality. ?Having this documentary play at the festival would conflict with the overall message. ?If you have other ideas that would better fit with the theme, we would be glad to give you a booth. ?If not, I am sorry for the miscommunication and hopefully we will be able to work together some other time.
Thanks, Yasmine

As far as any of us are aware, the University has not committed itself to climate neutrality – that is, having 0 net carbon emissions. Thus, until (and even after) the point at which it does, the subject must be discussed for all of its possible implications. I respond:

I would say complements, rather than conflicts. It is certainly a different point of view. However, its argument, if correct, argues for a policy different than climate neutrality.
In our articles, we contend that the money required to become climate neutral might be better spend on infrastructure upgrades that would improve conventional energy efficiency at far lower cost, and with a greater long-term return on investment. At the very least, we believe that this position should be considered, and it is certainly on-topic. I am happy to discuss this further, if you would like.
Best,
Andrew

BEAN responds, and we are “uninvited.” Apparently a moderate approach to climate issues is only “potentially valuable” to debate:

Hi Andrew,
While this viewpoint is potentially valuable to debate, the Earth Day festival is not the setting for it. ?As the theme is a CELEBRATION of climate neutrality, and not climate neutrality in general, BEAN has decided that it would be inappropriate to show the documentary as well as pass out information for a different policy. We thank you for your interest and am sorry that we have to revoke our invitation.
Thanks,
Yasmine

Gentleman that I am:
Well, I don’t know what you expected when you invited us in the first place. However, we understand, and are slightly amused.
Best,
Andrew