This week, the concerted effort Elon University has made over time in regard to sustainability comes to the forefront during Earth Week, said Jessica Bilecki, education and outreach coordinator in the office of sustainability.
“I think it’s hugely important that we have public events to bring attention to what Elon is doing well in terms of sustainability and to highlight areas where we as a campus community can improve,” Bilecki said. “Earth Week is a convenient time to do that.”
A number of student organizations are coming together this week to sponsor events across campus celebrating Earth Week.
Focus will be put on the sustainability projects Elon has completed, while also continuing to push for more awareness among students.
“Earth Week is an opportunity for the campus to celebrate the natural environment we enjoy and learn about sustainability efforts on and off campus and how to get involved with them,” said Elaine Durr, director of sustainability.
Elon was recently named a “Green College,” showing a strong commitment to sustainable practices, for the sixth straight year by the Princeton Review.
Sustainability projects Elon has underwent include Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for 25 buildings, a large reduction in energy consumption per square foot and solar thermal installations.
“The most obvious [ways Elon has progressed] are that buildings are more efficient and we recycle, but there is a lot more to sustainability than that,” Bilecki said. “Elon’s willingness to talk about all of sustainability, not just environmental sustainability, shows progress as well.”
Elon also has the Eco-Reps program for students to educate their peers about sustainability initiatives.
“One of the goals of the Eco-Reps program is to help students understand that ‘living sustainably’ does not require people to completely change their life style,” said senior Shannon Temlak, Eco-Rep Coordinator. “Students can take small steps to make a huge impact.”
The week began Sunday with a canoeing and cleanup trip to the Haw River sponsored by Campus Recreation. An official Earth Week kick-off event was held Monday.
Danielle Nierenberg, president of Food Tank — an organization that focuses on environmentally, socially and economically sustainable ways of alleviating hunger, poverty and obesity — spoke Tuesday night as the week’s keynote speaker. Her speech was titled “Cultivating a Better Food System.”
Wednesday, the plaza outside Lakeside Dining Hall will host Party for the Planet, a new event. A number of campus sustainability-related organizations will be there with food, music and more. There will also be a Swap Shop, where students can donate small items like books or clothing and take an item in exchange. A local meal will be served at Colonnades Dining Hall 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., and Elon Outdoors will host a S’mores social at the Beck Pool patio 10-11 p.m.
On Thursday, the Farmer’s Market will be on the Elon Community Church Lawn from 3-6:30 p.m. Friday will be a Garden Work Day from 2-4 p.m. in the Community Garden, and there will be a Student Union Board Cinema, in conjunction with Sustainability at Elon, video debut at 8 p.m. Saturday on Young Commons.
“Earth Week events are primarily for awareness building, networking and celebration,” Bilecki said. “The events demonstrate how more sustainable practices can be integrated into a lot of events already happening on campus. I think Party for the Planet in particular is a great event to show that though it may not always seem like it, there are a lot of students interested and working on this topic. Ultimately, I hope it helps people understand what they can do to contribute to sustainability at Elon.”
Elon is also launching the Sustainability Projects Database this week, which showcases student research on sustainability and gives students, faculty and staff the chance to submit project ideas.
“The goals of the Sustainability Project Database are to showcase student work while serving as a repository and inspiration for new, or more in depth, projects and to facilitate completion of, or improvement on, projects from year to year,” Durr said. “Projects for the Database can address one or more aspects of sustainability: environmental, social and/or economic. They can focus on campus, the local area or sustainability on a broader scale.”