Last week, images of the Wilkins ice shelf in Antarctica were released by scientists to acknowledge that a large piece of it has broken off.

According to The New York Times, crumbling of this shelf closely follows a pattern observed in other sections of the peninsula, which has experienced a noticeable increase in temperature in the past few decades. So, whether you believe in global warming or not, something is happening. Some scientists say that an increase in global temperature of just six degrees could devastate the planet.

You may have heard of the little things you can do to help—recycle, switch to energy efficient appliances, or trade that Escalade for a hybrid—but sometimes the little things just aren’t enough.

ECOsponsible, a student run, non-profit organization, recognizes that remembering to turn your computer off at night isn’t going to make the difference we need.

Started by an initiative from partner SSL (solid state lighting) Industries, ECOsponsible operates out of the Baird Research Center on Sweet Home Road in Amherst. ECOsponsible was officially set in motion at the beginning of this semester by a group of ambitious students here at the University at Buffalo.

“Our goal is to inform, to educate people, let them know,” said PJ Godios, President of ECOsponsible and a senior at UB, joint-majoring in communications and media studies. He continued, “We have tangible things out there that can make a difference in big chunks, not just tiny, little everyday things.”

The website for the group, ecosponsible.org, clearly outlines the goals for the organization: step one, “Change people’s attitudes about energy conservation while providing solutions for reducing their amount of CO2 emissions,” and step two, “Provide a platform for people to readily purchase carbon neutral products while educating members about the latest technologies and advances in energy conservation.”

On ecosponsible.org, you can learn more about various types of alternative energy sources, such as ECOsponsible lighting, and NETZERO’s Carbon Neutral Program. You can also purchase different kinds of solid state LED lights online. According to the site, LEDs, or light-emitting diodes, can be up to 85 percent more efficient in saving energy than the average incandescent light bulb.

“We give solutions through LED lights, and soon through biofuel, electricity from wind turbines, as well as many other cutting edge energy saving products…eventually you will be able to purchase energy created by wind turbines from us,” said Dan Forté, Vice-President of ECOsponsible and a junior communications major at UB.

Because of their corporate partnership with SSL industries, the people at ECOsponsible believe that they are a different kind of environmental group; they are a group that actually has the ability to make changes, instead of one that incessantly dwells on what society has done wrong.

“These aren’t just pie in the sky things,” said Godios. “These are things that are real, available solutions.”

But ECOsponsible cannot fight this fight alone. The organization just held an event in the Student Union in an effort to build membership for its following. Called the ECOalition, the support group for ECOsponsible is growing in numbers as more and more like-minded green thinkers join either in person or online.

“I think [ECOsponsible] is great and everyone should go green,” said sophomore business major Lucy Mosoian. “Now I’m more aware of the little things, even with the LED lights; if everyone got them it’d be better for all of us.”

Forté says that becoming a member of the ECOalition is free and easy. All you have to do is log onto the ECOsponsible website, “sign up, and take an ECOsponsible quiz to find out how green you are,” said Forté. “From that we can show you ways to lower your carbon footprint.”

As the ECOalition grows in size, ECOsponsible may soon be able to gain political representation. That achievement would ensure that the environmentalist voice will be heard at a local, state, national, and possibly an international level.

“I really can’t wait until [the ECOalition] starts picking up steam,” said Godios. “To know that you’re doing something that’s justifiable and fun is really interesting. It’s great to know that you’re making a difference.”

Benefits of becoming a member of the ECOalition include an open platform for purchasing clean energy products, as well as the most important part of this fight for conservation: information.

As a member of the ECOalition, you will be among the first to understand new advances in technology related to ECOsponsible living. Through ECOsponsible newsletters and website updates you will be able to find out about unique and amazing new products such as air pollution systems, alternative building products as well as energy conserving lighting fixtures.

“I think it’s pretty good that we have an ecological foundation on campus,” said junior communication and psychology major Nico Leon, “…it’s nice to see that there’s finally an organization that promotes it. Other groups just give you ambiguous information, but ECOsponsible gives you a guide.”

Overall, ECOsponsible is one group that is committed to stimulating change on a local, national, and global level, but they can’t do it without support. Go to ecosponsible.org to sign up to be a member of the ECOaltion, and start living the ECOsponsible lifestyle.

“We’re on the forefront of a change here,” said Forté, “that’s what we’re trying to do—help people change, not just complain about it.”