Recapping Earth Week 2012

Over 30 events were organized by numerous student groups who all agreed to expand Earth Day to Earth Week to celebrate our planet. The five themed days of the week kicked off on Monday April 16 with a focus on Climate, Energy, and Transporation.  To give a brief idea of what one day consisted of, Monday was Bike Appreciation Day in the Quad, students took on the “One” challenge by depositing “One” misplaced piece garbage in the proper recepticle, and a “coal train” of activists “chuggachugga choo choo’d” through campus at high noon to protest with No Coal Eugene. Each evening, organizations hosted discussions between students, professors, community members, businessmen, government employees, and even the Director of “The Big Fix” after a premier film screening.

U of O students boarded the train headed up and down the streets of Eugene to protest with the No Coal Eugene group

The full schedule of events for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday can be found on the website, but in short, the events amassed to be a collaborative, educational, and active celebration that didn’t stop short of AMAZING.  Tuesday explored humanity’s struggle for global Equity, Justice, and Health.  On a rainy Wednesday, everyone took cover inside to envision sustainable shelter and a cleaner world for the Buildings and Zero Waste theme.  Thursday centralized around the Sustainable Business Fair in the Lillis Business Complex where the themes of Business and Policy were dovetailed by speakers and events throughout the day.  And Friday tied everything together with great food, alternative uses of the UO landscape, and it couldn’t have been on a more beautiful sunshiny day!   On Saturday, students got out into the community through opportunities organized by the Service Learning Program, and Sunday, April 22, was the worldwide Earth Day celebration hosted by the Eugene Water and Electric Board (EWEB).

Thanks to all of our guest speakers, sponsors, participants, volunteers, community support, the Earth Week Planning Committee, and of course this years Earth Week Coordinator- Kristin White!  Visit the Photo Album page to see more photos!