University Orchestra takes steps to become more environmentally friendly.
North Park’s University Orchestra is the first net-zero orchestra in the country. This means the group of students has a completely neutral carbon footprint, achieved through personal action and donating to environmental groups.
Dr. 汤姆Zelle, professor of music and conductor, said the initiative started when the orchestra began incorporating the United Nations’ Human Values, which include peace, 自由, social progress, equal rights and human dignity, into its weekly lessons. “Every student in the orchestra room is first and foremost a human being and then a musician,泽勒说。.
The orchestra now uses a part of their budget to contribute to the United Nation’s carbon offset program, which trades “carbon credits” for cash that goes to organizations working to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. The orchestra also sells vegan goods, plays music written to bring awareness to climate change, and talks to the audience about sustainability.