Students, faculty and staff attended organic farming workshops, documentary screenings and more to celebrate sustainability and environmental awareness during UCSD’s annual Earth Week, which lasted from April 17 to April 24.
This year’s Earth Week theme, “Making Zero a Reality,” focused on UCSD’s commitment to sustainability and the campus’ efforts to reduce carbon footprint to have zero impact on the environment. A variety of events were held on campus, including workshops on conducting energy audits, opportunities to plant trees and a campus cleanup.
“UCSD’s Earth Week brings together our surrounding community to celebrate our natural resources and educate the community on conservation,” UCSD Sustainability Program Manager Kristin Hansen said. “This week’s festivities illustrate how the campus-a world leader in climate change research- is committed to sustainability in research, education and campus operations.”
The week began with an organization tabling on Sun God Lawn, inviting all sustainability-related organizations to set up their own table and inform others of sustainable matters. A Facilities-Management-sponsored trash sort on Library Walk gave students the chance to learn about proper recycling and waste reduction strategies as well as insight to the amount of waste produced by Price Center daily.
Muir College’s annual Muirstock Festival marked the end of the week and featured organic food venues, recycled prizes and a solar-powered stage. Various activities throughout the day, including an evening concert, drew in over 1,500 students.
Phi Sigma Rho hosted the afternoon event “Phi Rho Your Boat,” a competition where campus organizations build and race boats out of recyclables across the Canyonview Pool West. About 300 people attended the event, which featured a photo booth, raffles and a sunscreen station. Proceeds from the event went to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Attendees of each event were given stamps to collect in an Earth Week Passport from the Sustainability Resource Center. Passports redeemed by April 29 are awarded one raffle ticket per stamp collected, giving participants a chance to win sustainable prizes.
Earth Day celebrations were expanded in 2004 to include a full week of events.
“The ambition of our students is incredibly impressive and is evident in their involvement in Earth Week this year,” Hansen said. “Our students are true examples of believing in and pushing for a better and more sustainable future by educating and developing innovative solutions.”
Earth Week concluded with its Sustainability Awards, an event where the Advisory Committee on Sustainability recognizes individuals and groups that have contributed to a sustainable campus. Undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff received awards in different categories.
“It is always great to see a strong turnout, and we hope to continue the interest and momentum every year the campus recognizes Earth Week,” Hansen said.
