Plant a tree and leave the car at home – it’s Earth Day.
The ASUCD Environmental Policy and Planning Commission plans to teach UC Davis students about recycling, alternative power, sustainability and outdoor activities during Earth Weekbegan Monday and continues until Friday.
“We all should love the environment around us,” said EPPC chair Jack Draper, a juniorwildlife, fish and conservation biology major.
Draper said that this attitude led to this year’s Earth Week theme of “Enviromantic.”
The first event of Earth Week was the Trashion Show on Mondayat noon on the Memorial Union patio. Students from the clothing and textiles departmentdesigned runway pieces made from recycled materials like CDs, newspaper and trash bags. Draper said that the show was a way to get different departments on campus involved in Earth Week.
“It brings together interesting groups that aren’t usually associated with the environment, i.e. the fashion industry,” Draper said.
Today on the MU patio there will be an organic food tasting from noonto 1 p.m. The tasting was organized by Emily Mikhaiel, a senior international relations and environmental policy analysis student.
“There is going to be free food and chance to win a prize,” Mikhaiel said.
There will be a panel about Solar Power tonight in the MU East Conference Room. The panel is called “Let’s Bring it Home,” organized by sophomorepolitical science and sociology student Monica Haymond. Haymond said the panelists will include Adam Moule, a professor from the civil engineering department, Sue Kateley, director of the California Solar Energy Industries Association and a representative from Solar City. Haymond said that Solar City is a company that installs solar panels for homes and businesses, and tries to get cities to switch to solar power in bulk so residents can get a discount on the systems.
“They’ve made Davis their newest target city,” Haymond said.
Draper said that an Earth Week event will be Wednesday’s discussion of Pebble Mine from 6 to 7 p.m. in 2 Wellman. Pebble Mine is a proposed mining project in Alaska.
“It’s going to be an interesting discussion on whether mining is even sustainable anymore,” Draper said.
Draper also said that “Rockin’ it the Right Way,” a free event Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on West Quad, will be a highlight of Earth Week. The Rocknasium will bring its mobile rock-climbing wall, a KDVS DJ and groups like Outdoor Adventures will be there to promote environmentally conscious outdoor activities. Leave No Trace, a group that promotes low impact backpacking will also be there to teach students how to keep the wilderness in its natural state.
This is the third annual Earth Week. The first Earth Week celebrated the Earth with the theme of Captain Planet, and last year’sevent was titled “Epic Change.”
MADELINE McCURRY SCHMIDT can be reached at campus@californiaaggie.com.
Schedule:
Tuesday: Noon to 1 p.m. “Naturally Delicious! Organic Food Tasting” on the MU patio
6 to 7 p.m. “Let’s Bring it Home! Solar Power in Davis” in the MU East Conference Room
Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. “Rockin’ it the Right Way” on West Quad
6 to 7 p.m. “Pebble Mine: Discussion of Impact” in 2 Wellman
Thursday: Noon to 1 p.m. “Corporate Awareness Discussion” in Griffin Lounge in the MU
Friday: Noon to 1 p.m. “Enviromantics on Campus” on the MU patio
