By Marrissa Ballard | Managing Editor
As this year’s Earth Day approaches, several students and organizations are preparing events to foster awareness of environmental issues. In particular, Salve’s Environmental Club and Student Government Association have been working hard to organize activities not only on Earth Day but also during the week prior.
On Wednesday, April 20th, there will be a screening and discussion of the film Reuse at 6 p.m. in O’Hare 260. For Earth Day on April 22nd, there will be an Earth Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of O’Hare. The fair will feature eco-friendly venders and presentations from organizations such as the Aquidneck Land Trust. Student clubs such as the Environmental Club, Green Salve, and Protect our Wildlife Club will also be at the fair.
There will also be an activity called “Fill a Bag, Get a Bag” from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m on Earth Day. If a student gathers one bag of trash and brings it to O’Hare, they will receive a free reusable bag.
Emily Enoch, a senior Environmental Studies major and member of the Environmental Club, helped organize the events. “It is a lot of fun because it is the club’s biggest event of the year and it is a great opportunity for the club to bring awareness to the Salve community,” said Enoch.
For Enoch and many other environmentalists on campus, Earth Day is an opportunity to appreciate the world and its natural beauty. “It is also important because it is a day where we not only come together to take care of the earth through activities such as gardening and doing beach cleanups,” said Enoch. “It is also a time to learn more about the earth and how we can become better stewards in our everyday lives.”
Enoch studies all kinds of environmental issues in her major and there are a few that stand out to her as most important. “One is plastic pollution and garbage in the environment in general,” explained Enoch. In particular, Enoch cites seeing trash and debris in parks and around the cliff walk. “It breaks my heart because it not only ruins the aesthetic beauty of the environment, but it is also a reminder of how we are contributing to the problem of pollution.”
In addition to the issue of pollution, plastic, and trash in the environment, Enoch is also passionate about raising awareness. “Our connection and awareness about these issues is what is important,” said Enoch. “If there is no awareness, then it is very difficult to do something.”
As for students or members of the Salve community who are looking to become more environmentally conscious, Enoch has some advice. “I think a good place to start is research,” explained Enoch. “We have access to many resources such as books in the library, articles, and DVDs.” Enoch also suggests checking out the many documentaries on sites like Netflix about environmental issues, or following current events from sources like The Student Conservation Association or HuffingtonPost Green.
As for Salve’s improvement with environmental issues, Enoch believes that the university is doing a lot but could still do more. Enoch would like to see Salve “take environmental initiatives to the next level” by installing solar panels in O’Hare.
Maria Smith, a senior Environmental Studies major and fellow planner of the Earth Day events, would like to see Salve decrease the amount of plastic on campus. According to Smith, the Environmental Club has been working on a petition that focuses on water bottles. “This would eliminate all plastic water bottles in vending machines to promote use of the water filters and reusable water bottles on campus” said Smith.
Aside from the issue of plastic, Smith is most passionate about “the battle between organic and conventional farming.” Smith encourages people to work for a sustainable food system. “Agriculture in the US is the leading cause of land and habitat loss, water consumption, soil erosion, pollution, climate change, and biodiversity loss,” Smith explained. “In order to create a more healthy and sustainable world we must work towards creating a more safe, and secure food system. This includes the promotion of locally grown food, farmers markets, organic growing, or hydroponic growing.”
Smith is excited to hold Earth Day events on campus in the hopes of raising awareness. “Whether it is a quiet reflection or a public stance, thinking about what Earth Day is helps people to broaden their views and think about the implications of their actions, which undoubtedly are somehow harming the environment,” said Smith. “Hopefully with this increased awareness we can get people to change their actions to help, instead of harm, the earth.”
Meaghan Senack, who is also a senior Environmental Studies major and serves as the Environmental Club’s secretary and treasurer, also believes that the best way to become more conscious about the environment is through awareness and education. “Our planet has numerous environmental issues and it is up to our generation to start doing something about it so that our planet will be healthy and available for future generations,” said Senack.
Senack, Smith, and Enoch all agree that the education and actions shouldn’t end with Earth Day. “We are using Earth Day in order to gain people’s attention and make them aware of these ever important issues and educate and show them what they can be doing to help,” said Senack. “This day shouldn’t be just one day, but every day.”
