44 years have passed since Earth Day was launched and it seems people are more mindful than ever before about reducing their carbon footprint. Adopting sustainable practices can begin today and higher education is taking a large role. Syracuse University’s Sustainability Division is constantly working on the effort. Marketing Manager Melissa Cadwell they’re looking for some extra help on Earth Day between Waverly Ave and Harrison Street on the hill.
“Tuesday we’re meeting in Walnut Park at 9 AM, if people want to come out and pick-up some litter with us. It’s such a little gem in the city and we want people to enjoy it. So, We’re going to be around from 9 to 11, picking up Walnut Park and then tomorrow night we have a free screening of Gasland Part II in HBC Gifford Auditorium.”
That event is also open to the public. Next door to Syracuse University’s campus, SUNY E-S-F has been having ongoing Earth Week Celebrations that wrap up on Earth Day (Tuesday 4/22/2014). Student Chair Caleb Rudge says they’ll be hosting the first public East Coast screening of the movie Watershed.
“It’s a growing area, millions of people are moving to the West Coast and Southwestern parts of the United States every year. Lots of crops are grown there. There’s a lot of demand for water and this documentary shows how that demand is effecting the environment and whether that demand can be kept up.”
Rudge says they’ll be projecting the movie on a blown-up screen tomorrow night at 7 PM on ESF’s main quad. According to SUNY ESF Associate Professor Rhea Jezer says there are many reasons why Earth Day continues to resonate.
“Global carbon emissions going towards 3 billion tons a year. The Alpine Glaciers are melting and we have the possibility now of wind and solar and renewable energy to come in and actually replace the fossil fuels.”
Jezer feels that public policy changes are necessary to make that happen. She encourages people to speak to their representatives and hopes Congress can focus more attention on the environment. Click here for a list of events happening at ESF on Earth Day.
