Sustainability Takes Center Stage During Earth Week
Several organizations around campus teamed up to make this year’s Earth Week activities some of the most impactful yet.
The celebrations kicked off on April 19 and 20 when the Natural Science Club hosted its 18th annual Environment Days for local elementary students. Through various eco-themed activities and conservation stations, students learned about critical topics like endangered species, power resources, recycling, and more.
Later that week, The Green Team partnered with the Center for Faith and Justice to host fun activities and a campus clean-up.
“It is important for us as a University community to acknowledge and celebrate Earth Day because it gives us a chance to develop a deeper understanding of the social justice issues surrounding climate change. It also gives us an opportunity to celebrate the beautiful environment around us,” said Amelia Smith ’23, a criminal justice major. Smith is a co-president of The Green Team and shares her role with a fellow criminal justice major Joseph Cummings ’23.
Some of the Earth Week celebrations the duo organized included a food truck outside of the Dorothy Day Student Union, lawn games, succulent recycling, and educational quizzes.
Members of the Natural Science Club presenting to elementary school students.
“I hope that the students and faculty who attended the event learned ways that they can make a difference on campus and in their own homes–differences that they may think are small have a huge impact on the world around us,” Smith noted. “The goal is for participants to spread everything they learn to their friends and family and begin to practice new ways of being sustainable.”
Anyone interested in sustainability is encouraged to join The Green Team, which meets Monday nights at 8PM in the ResLife lounge. The group organizes campus cleanups, watches documentaries, and advocates for ecological justice at DeSales.