By: Mia Lupo;
Mosaic Fashion Editor
I sat down with Environmental Club president, Becca Longvall ’15 at Jazzman’s Café to learn more about the club’s goals, upcoming events—and why you should join!
What goals does the Environmental Club hope to achieve?
One of the club’s main focuses is raising awareness about the negative impacts of plastic bags in the environment. In recent months, Barrington, RI has banned the use of plastic bags last October, and according to The Brown Daily Herald, Rep. Maria Cimini introduced a bill to ban plastic bags in grocery stores in February. Longvall hopes to work with the university bookstore and other institutions on campus to eliminate plastic bags.
The Environmental Club also seeks to ban water bottles, because filtered water fountains installed in main buildings provide accessible access at no cost.
Will Environmental Club be hosting any events this semester?
Yes! Environmental Club is hosting two big events this spring.
On March 21st, the club will be in O’Hare campaigning the plastic water bottle ban in honor of World Water Day. They will also be giving out reusable, BPA-free sports bottles.
Environmental Club’s largest annual event, Earth Day, will be held on Monday April 22nd from 10:00am until 2:00pm. Biology students from environmental science courses will be presenting their work and local vendors will be in attendance. Last year, Empire Tea offerred bubble tea.
Why should students join Environmental Club?
Being a part of Environmental Club empowers students to become good stewards to the environment—Longvall organizes beach cleanups with Office of Community Service. The Environmental Club also works on monitoring the Aquidneck Land Trust, an organization dedicated to preserving the natural beauty of Aquidneck Island, which can provide networking opportunities to students interested in working in the environmental sciences.
At the end of the day, students have the satisfaction of making a positive contribution to the Newport area.
“I want to be able actually be doing something,” says Longvall. Environmental Club is an initiative to say students are doing something and have the power to make a difference.
For more updates on Environmental Club, please check out their Facebook page and or attend the club meetings held every Tuesday at 7:00pm at Jazzman’s in O’Hare Academic Center.
