April now Earth Month on campus
Celebration to include local food buffet at The Dulany, weekly panel discussions
Allison Proite
Issue date: 3/26/09 Section: Campus News
It used to just be "Earth Day," but now UW-Eau Claire is celebrating "Earth Month" in April. With panels focusing on different environmental issues, dorm competitions and guest speakers, the Earth Month committee hopes to show Eau Claire students and community members how they can make a difference in the environment.
Economics professor Eric Jamelske, who is involved with Earth Month, said this is a great opportunity for people to see that even with the smallest change, a person can make a difference for the environment.
"We want people to take a deep breath, come to an event and realize what you contribute to the environment, good or bad, and start a discussion," Jamelske said. "Unless people stop to talk about it, it doesn't put it in perspective."
Jamelske said he is excited for speaker Terry Gips to come to campus on March 30.
"Many environmental speakers only discuss the problems, but Terry talks about what we are doing right and how we can continue that," he said. "He talks very positively about the issues."
Gips, who is president of the Alliance for Sustainability, said he will address the many questions that go along with environmental responsibility.
"Many people wonder is it possible to thrive during tough economic times? Will we be able to save money for a sustainable future? Does it have to cost more to be environmentally responsible? Can we really turn things around? I'll talk about a very creative approach to all these questions called 'The Natural Step Framework,'" Gips said.
Gips said "The Natural Step Framework" is an approach to sustainability that has been around for 20 years and has been integrated in businesses from McDonald's to IKEA.
Drawing on his own experiences working with former President Jimmy Carter during the last energy crisis, Gips said he will discuss what worked then and how things have turned around since then.
Gips said he is looking forward to coming to campus because students are the next generation that can lead to a more sustainable future.
Economics professor Eric Jamelske, who is involved with Earth Month, said this is a great opportunity for people to see that even with the smallest change, a person can make a difference for the environment.
"We want people to take a deep breath, come to an event and realize what you contribute to the environment, good or bad, and start a discussion," Jamelske said. "Unless people stop to talk about it, it doesn't put it in perspective."
Jamelske said he is excited for speaker Terry Gips to come to campus on March 30.
"Many environmental speakers only discuss the problems, but Terry talks about what we are doing right and how we can continue that," he said. "He talks very positively about the issues."
Gips, who is president of the Alliance for Sustainability, said he will address the many questions that go along with environmental responsibility.
"Many people wonder is it possible to thrive during tough economic times? Will we be able to save money for a sustainable future? Does it have to cost more to be environmentally responsible? Can we really turn things around? I'll talk about a very creative approach to all these questions called 'The Natural Step Framework,'" Gips said.
Gips said "The Natural Step Framework" is an approach to sustainability that has been around for 20 years and has been integrated in businesses from McDonald's to IKEA.
Drawing on his own experiences working with former President Jimmy Carter during the last energy crisis, Gips said he will discuss what worked then and how things have turned around since then.
Gips said he is looking forward to coming to campus because students are the next generation that can lead to a more sustainable future.
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