Tyler Rygg is a junior in philosophy

On Wednesday night, the Iowa State Government Student Body met to address the greatest challenge of our generation. ISU students, concerned about environmental and health effects of burning dirty fossil fuels, called on the university to offset their coal consumption with more clean, renewable energy. With this week marking the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, the timing couldn’t be more symbolic.

Senator Theresa Thompkins introduced the GSB resolution calling on Iowa State to immediately stop using coal and switch to renewable resources like wind and solar. The senator wasn’t alone. Seven students attended to show support and voice their concerns about Iowa State’s failure to switch to renewable energy. Since just Monday, members of the environmental group ActivUS collected and delivered 600 petitions from students calling on the university to quit coal.

The ISU student government and the members of ActivUs sent a clear message to the administration. If Iowa State is serious about being sustainable, it is time to stop stalling, listen to students, and stop burning coal on campus.

I call on President Geoffroy to take the lead this Earth Day and commit to moving beyond coal.