Earth Day Brings Awareness
Various clubs and organizations brought the spirit of Earth Day to Boston College by showcasing important issues and providing fun activities for the members of the community. Events took place from 10:30 to 3:30 in the Dust Bowl and other locations across campus and included:
EcoTrivia & Prizes
Earth themed face painting and tattoos
Earth Art Gallery outside of Addie's Loft
Giveaways from Whole Foods Market, vendor of natural and organic foods
Creating seed bombs, recycled art, and take-home plants
A table presented by Sustain BC, providing information about a variety of issues, including “Tips for Avoiding Everyday Toxins (and why it’s important!)” a special lecture presented by Biology Professor and leader of Sustain BC, Laura Hake. Sustain BC is dedicated to making Boston College a more sustainable campus.
Making earth cookies. A fun, not to mention tasty, activity created by EcoPledge.
With Mt.Trashmore, EcoPledge and the housekeeping staff showed the vast amount of trash that accumulates in just one night on BC's upper campus. Volunteers sorted an enormous amount of recyclables out of the mountain, showing how much material could so easily be recycled instead of piling up in landfills.
In the Dust Bowl, a table presented by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary displayed the environmentally sustainable design of the IHM Motherhouse. The design includes reused and recycled materials, energy-efficient HVAC systems and sustainable construction products. IHM has a foundational commitment to sustainability, peace and justice.
In addition, Professor Sarah McFarland Taylor spoke about her award-winning book "Green Sisters: A Spiritual Ecology" later in the McElroy Conference Room. McFarland is a Professor of Religious Studies at Northwestern University, and her presentation was sponsored by the Catholic Studies Minor and UGBC.
The Animal Rights Club offered literature on the importance of vegetarianism, not only for the protection of animals but also for the reduction of the personal carbon footprint that is created by consuming resource-costly animal products. The "Vegetarian Starter Kit" written by Mercy for Animals provided recipes, tips and information on adopting a "healthy and compassionate diet."
Campus representatives from Apple, Toms Shoes and Coca-Cola presented sustainable initiatives currently being undertaken at each company.
Clubs participating included EcoPledge, Sustain BC, Real Food, Art Club, Hello Shovel Head, Animal Rights Club, GeoClub, Cycling Club, Global Justice Project, 4Boston with vendors CocaCola, Toms Shoes, Apple and T-Mobile.
See the Earth Day blurb in the BC Heights: BC Celebrates Earth Day