Dartmouth Celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day

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Dartmouth’s true green nature shines as students, faculty, staff, and members of the greater community come together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day with more than 10 days of programming. This year’s theme is “Building Bridges: Leadership and Activism during Times of Change.”

“The significance of Earth Day lies in the opportunity to reflect on our relationship with the natural environment and our community, and to raise awareness of the importance that thinking and living sustainably has for the well-being and prosperity of present and future generations,” says Marissa Knodel ’09, the Dartmouth Sustainability Programs Specialist. “This year’s theme of ‘Building Bridges: Leadership and Activism During Times of Change,’ is especially important for students as they develop the practical and philosophical skills to adapt to a changing ecosystem and society. My hope is that Earth Week 2010 inspires the entire Dartmouth community to make every day an Earth Day.“

The annual trek each summer for Dartmouth’s Big Green Bus drives home messages about energy conservation and sustainable living. (photo by Joseph Mehling ’69)

April 16 and 17 – The Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative and the Environmental Guild of the New Hampshire Chapter of the American Institute of Architects will host a symposium focused on sustainable design and development. The two-day event explores a variety of areas, from buildings and grounds to communities and landscapes. Registration is full, and you can request to be on the waiting list at www.sustainabledesignsymposium.com. Unregistered individuals with a Dartmouth ID may participate, though space is not guaranteed. The keynote lecture will be presented by David Orr on Friday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. in Alumni Hall in the Hopkins Center and is free and open to the public.

April 19, 20, and 21 —An Environmental Film Festival highlights issues and activism in sustainability. (Movies are yet to be determined. Check www.dartmouth.edu/~sustain for updates.)

  • April 19—7:00pm at the Howe Library
  • April 20 and 21—7 p.m. in Dartmouth Hall 105
April 22, Earth Day — A rally on the Dartmouth Green from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. features a host of speakers and activities. Participate in the Energy Conservation Campaign and take the Dartmouth Energy Pledge, learn about the Bring Back the Tap Campaign sponsored by the student group ECO (Environmental Conservation Organization), take a tour of the Big Green Bus, get more information about the National Teach-In on Global Warming and the Senate Climate Call with the Dartmouth Council on Climate Change and Repower America, and get informed at the Renewable Energy Expo. At 1 p.m. on April 22, meet representatives from ReKnew Energy Systems Inc. as they install the final solar panel, which will provide hot water, at the Sustainable Living Center, a residence for 19 environmentally conscious students.

April 23 Dartmouth Organic Farm Spring event. Come celebrate spring and explore the many opportunities for work and play at the Dartmouth Organic Farm. There will be an afternoon workday followed by a potluck dinner using the new clay bread oven. An evening movie sponsored by the Dartmouth Ecovores will be shown. (Find exact event times at www.dartmouth.edu/~sustain.)

April 23 — “Do It In the Dark” Alternative Space Party for students, from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. (See www.dartmouth.edu/~sustain for location.) This event promotes energy conservation and efficiency by encouraging students to take the Dartmouth Energy Pledge while enjoying music and food. Locally-sourced beer and cider will be served to those over 21 in reusable ECO mugs. Jointly sponsored by the International Student Association, the student Programming Board, and the Student Assembly.

April 24 — Dartmouth Green Alumni Networking Event, 4-5:30 p.m., (See www.dartmouth.edu/~sustain for location.) A social event for undergraduate and graduate students to meet alumni in environmental and sustainability-related fields. Hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

April 24 — “Be An Agent of Change” dinner and keynote lecture by Dr. James “Gus” Speth from 6 to 8 p.m. in Occom Commons in the McLaughlin Cluster Resident Hall. Speth was the Sara Shallenberger Brown Professor in the Practice of Environmental Policy and Dean at the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies from 1999-2009. He will assume a professorship at Vermont Law School starting fall 2010. Speth was a co-founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council, founder of the World Resources Institute, and an Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. His keynote lecture will address the definition of environmentalism and sustainability, translating green beliefs into everyday actions, and inspiring others to be agents of change. RSVP to marissa.knodel@dartmouth.edu.

April 26 — “Voices from Chernoby”l performance at 7 p.m. in Collis Common Ground. This event is based on a book written by Svetlana Alexievich of interviews of survivors of the Chernobyl nuclear reactor catastrophe in Ukraine on April 26, 1986. Co-sponsored by the Dartmouth Coalition for Global Health and the Dartmouth Sustainability Initiative.

A detailed schedule of the Earth Week activities will be posted at: www.dartmouth.edu/~sustain.

Susan Knapp