Student initiated efforts, such as a partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency to use more renewable energy, have already begun to make SMU a more environmentally friendly campus. Next week, Students for a Better Society and the Environmental Society will switch the focus to mobilizing the university as a whole to help the environment, by empowering students with knowledge about how they can individually keep the world green and clean.
SBS’s Earth Week will include daily events leading up to the internationally recognized holiday Earth Day. The committee hopes to spread awareness about environmental issues and engage students in a discourse about these issues.
“The point of the week is to raise awareness,” sophomore committee member Keven Wilson said. “There are so many things an individual can do; if everyone can do just a little bit it really can make a big difference.”
According to Wilson, the theme for the week is individual moral responsibility.
“These issues are real whether people choose to acknowledge them or not, and bottom line, the more you can know, the better.”
On Monday information about the Katy Trail will be provided and there will be a walk on the trail. Each additional day of the week will focus on a particular environmental issue. Tuesday is all about global warming and renewable energy with activities such as a giveaway of energy efficient lightbulbs and a Hybrid Car display.
“Petroleum can only last for so long,” Wilson said. “While it is cheap and abundant energy right now, that’s no going to be the case forever. We want people to be enthusiastic about energy efficiency and reducing your personal environmental footprint.”
Tuesday activities and displays will be at the Flagpole from 10: 30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
On Wednesday, there will be an expert panel about recycling and other fun activities focused on recycling from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. at the Flagpole .Thursday activities will focus on pollution, with a presentation by SMU arborist “Tree Limb Jim,” who Wilson says will “talk about our little garden of Eden.”
“There are over 2,500 trees and 100 varieties on campus,” Wilson said.
“Tree Limb Jim” will speak in the Hughes-Trigg theater at 2 p.m. Other demonstrations and displays will be at the Flagpole from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Friday activities will focus on global issues such as endangered species, food and population. Students can view episodes of the cartoon Captain Planet and play environmental Jeopardy. Global issues activities will take place in the Hughes-Trigg Commons from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Also on Friday Mayor Laura Miller and mayoral candidates will speak in McCord Auditorium. According to SBS member and SMU senior Hannah Kolni, Miller “has been a leader in the environmental movement.” Miller played an active role in stopping the construction of the proposed TXU coal power plants in Dallas.
Mayoral candidates will have five minutes to discuss their environmental platforms and there will be a question and answer session.
In addition to the speeches, displays and demonstration, there will be prize give-aways and free food and drinks at some of the events.
Wilson encourages everyone to “come out and find something to care about.”
“We’re doing all the research, all the work for you, all you have to do is show up and hear what we have to say,” Wilson said. “It’s worth your time.”
