Earth Week 2012 at SSU takes place April 16-22 on campus with noteworthy celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Environmental Technology Center and a variety of free events and learning opportunities throughout the week.
Clothing swaps, donation drives, film screenings, and beach clean-ups will be available to any who want to learn more about what they can do to protect and preserve the earth.
The 10-year Anniversary Celebration of SSU's Environmental Technology Center (ETC) and The Lexicon of Sustainability Art Show is slated from 3:30-6:30 p.m.in the ETC Garden on Friday, April 20. The Environmental Technology Center at SSU was one of the very first truly green buildings to be built on a university campus, anywhere. While now ten years old, this facility still exemplifies many state-of-the-art approaches including roof integrated photovoltaics which generate more electricity than the building uses. The Lexicon of Sustainability Art Show features over twenty works of art integrating digital photography and the written word. Featured photos are now being used as wallpaper is Google Cafes.
During the week, the campus community is invited to participate in:
The Plastic Bag Campaign - Sponsored by Join Us for Making Progress (JUMP) this project offers a free reusable tote bag for every 10 plastic bags taken to the JUMP office in the Student Union.
Power Down with the Power Strip - Student employee energy specialist Colin Joy will install iPan Smart Power Strips in SSU offices and buildings around campus. The power strips have attached motion sensors that automatically turn off equipment at office workstations after it hasn't been used for 30 minutes. The strips are installed at no cost to the individuals departments and on power strip can save an average of $40 in energy costs per year. The campus is installing 1000 of these strings that will result in an estimated savings of $40,000 a year. This energy savings is equivalent to removing 114 metric tons of CO2 from the air or 23 cars from the road.
The week-long schedule of events includes:
Monday, April 16
Earth Week Kickoff, Noon-1:30 p.m., Darwin Quad: Kick off this incredible week with tons of giveaways, music, earth-friendly clubs and even Mount Trashmore, a representation of the enormous amount of trash the SSU campus produces in just one day.
Surfing For Change 7:30 p.m., Cooperage: Associated Students Productions welcomes Kyle Thiermann, creator of the Internet video series Surfing for Change. Thiermann, a professional surfer, philanthropist and entrepreneur, has become part of the solution to current environmental issues with his documentary series Surfing For Change, captivating the attention of young people with the simple daily decisions that benefit their local economies and the world. To view Claim for Change, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-70ktZb9rw.
Tuesday, April 17
Earth Week Festival, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Darwin Quad: Live music, crafts, giveaways abound as organization from campus and throughout the community wcelebrate the Earth.
GEAC (Global Environmental Activism Club) Clothing Swap 12-1 p.m., Darwin Quad: Bring clothes and trade with people from all around campus.
"DIVE!" Film Showing 7:30 p.m., Student Union Multi-Purpose Room. Jeremy Seifert and friends salvage thousands of dollars' worth of good, edible food - resulting in an inspiring documentary that is equal parts entertainment, guerilla journalism and call to action.
Wednesday, April 18
"Meatless Mondays" Noon-1:30 p.m., Harvest Room: Kristie Middleton, Corporate Outreach Manager of The HSUS' (Humane Society of the United States) speaks on factory farming campaign.
Friday, April 20
A Day in the ETC Garden, 10 a.m.- 2 p.m., ETC Garden: Celebrate the garden's thriving abundance, see the changes of soil composition with a new compost practice.
Lettuce Wrap DIY Luncheon 12:30 p.m., ETC Garden: Make lettuce wraps and celebrate eating organically, locally and healthily.
10-year Anniversary Celebration of the Environmental Technology Center & The Lexicon of Sustainability Art Show 3:30-6:30 p.m., ETC Garden
Saturday, April 21
Rebuilding Together: Students can help low-income homeowners who cannot help themselves to provide home repairs and renovations assuring that they live in warmth, safety, dignity and independence. For more information or to sign up, come into the JUMP office on the first floor of the student union or e-mail Paulette at ssu.servicedays@gmail.com.
Sunday, April 22 (Earth Day)
Beach Clean Up: 10 a.m.: Join Residential Life to clean up the coast for a day. Sign up in Res Life office.
These events are sponsered by Associated Students Productions, Residential Life, Join UsMaking Progress, Environmental Studies, Global Environmental Activism Club, and the Geology Club. For more information on these and other events, please call 707.664.2382 or visit www.sonoma.edu/as/asp.