University students marked the 35th annual observance of Earth Day with informational displays and live music in the EMU amphitheater Wednesday afternoon.
The idea for Earth Day began during the
1960s when U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson became frustrated with the lack of attention given to environmental concerns in politics. In spring 1970, Nelson organized a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment.
“We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated,” Nelson said on The Wilderness Society’s Web site. “That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.”
University sophomore Megan Debates said she and the rest of the ASUO’s Earth Day coalition began organizing Wednesday’s event in late January.
Campus and community organizations that set up booths included Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, UO Outdoor Program, Aprovecho Research Center, Campus Recycling, Computer Reuse & Recycling Center, Cascadia Wildlands Project, International Student Association, Pacific Green Party, Eugene Water and Electric Board and Oregon Student Public Interest Research Group.
The EMU amphitheater has also been the site of many International Week events throughout this week. On Wednesday, International Student Association volunteers staffed a table with information about environmental issues around the world.
“When we found out International Week was the same week, we decided to team up with them,” Debates said.
Many people running booths at the event said environmental conservation efforts are part of their lives year-round.
“Every day is Earth Day at Aprovecho,”
said internship coordinator Price Sheppy of
Aprovecho Research Center. The center is a sustainable living research campus located five miles outside Cottage Grove where people work with sustainable forestry and technology such as solar panels and biodiesel, as well as design fuel-efficient stoves for Third World countries.
Sheppy said he came to Wednesday’s event because the University’s environmental science department gives students credit for participating in the non-profit organization’s program.
Erin Coppinger, a fifth-year chemistry student representing the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, said the organization works to advocate for ethical design and production of materials in the chemistry lab, including environmentally safe household cleaners.
“We’re just trying to raise awareness about it,” Coppinger said.
“Earth Day is really about everyday choices that we make,” University Recycling Coordinator Robyn Hathcock said. She emphasized that even choosing to buy shampoo bottles and notebooks made from recycled materials and turning off the lights when leaving a room can make a difference.
Campus Earth Day events will continue throughout the week. Today there will be a panel discussion on global warming at 6 p.m. in 150 Columbia. On Friday at 7 p.m., the Earth First! Round River Rendezvous Road Show will present a slide show, discussions, and spoken word and live musical performances in the EMU Fir Room. At 6 p.m. Friday, Land, Air and Water will present the film “Oil on Ice” in 184 Knight Law Center.
A community Earth Day celebration will happen Saturday, April 23, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the EWEB River Edge Plaza on 500 E. Fourth Ave. The event will feature educational activity booths, alternative vehicles, entertainment, a Procession Of All Species, free raft trips, and an Earth Day Art Sale.
At the same time, the John H. Baldwin Film and Lecture Series, honoring the late University professor’s work in environmental education, will take place in the EWEB training room in EWEB’s north building. There will be a free shuttle from the downtown LTD station to this event.
