The epic struggle over energy was played out in a fierce fistfight between a smokestack and a modern windmill in front of surprised diners yesterday at DeWick-MacPhie and Carmicheal Dining Halls.
The windmill won.
Environmental Consciousness Outreach (ECO) staged the demonstration in support of both local and nationwide initiatives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
"We hope to educate the Tufts student body about the need for clean energy," sophomore Eric Misbach said.
Two ECO members, freshman Jimmy Hughes and freshman Adam Joyce, dressed up as a smokestack and wind turbine respectively.
ECO members also hope to gather support for a Tufts Institute on the Environment (TIE) proposal that, for a $20 charge applied to each student's bursar bill, would allow Tufts to buy enough clean energy to power the campus. TIE hopes to have a student vote on this initiative by the end of the year.
The demonstration was Tufts' contribution to the National Coalition on Energy Action's "Day of Action" plan, undertaken by 300 schools across the country.
Energy Action is a group of students nationwide working to raise the profile of global warming and the need for the transition to renewable and sustainable energies.
The organization drafted a "Declaration of Independence from Dirty Energy," a nationwide petition that demands more action from the government on renewable energy and climate change issues. Following the demonstration, ECO members solicited petition signatures from viewers.
The demonstration also served as a kickoff for the Tufts Climate Initiative's "Do it in the Dark" event, in which dorms compete to see which can use the least energy during the upcoming month.
Students' reactions ranged from supportive to skeptical. "It was the most unique way I've seen someone present a cause," said sophomore Michael Stone.
But why the gladiator-inspired celebrity death match? "It was just a fun idea that came to mind," Misbach said.
The actors took up their roles with relish.
Hughes said his role as the smokestack was energy-intense. "It was hot and dirty," he said. "Coal burns, man."
Joyce, the victorious windmill, offered hope for renewable energy and had no such qualms. "It was a breeze," he said.<$>
