Being Green
Earth Week 2009 celebrates environmental appreciation
Zachary Valdes
Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Campus News
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Opening on Monday, April 20, 2009, Field Day's races, games, and barbeque reminded participants of the contributions nature has made to sports and recreation. In the University Center Little Theater, Connie and Greg Mattison of the Climate Project were on hand for a Global Warming Seminar. On Tuesday, students, faculty, and staff members lent Union County Parks and Recreation officials a hand in cleaning up the Elizabeth River. Two sets of green wheels were on display just outside of the University Center for students to learn about. Both the GM Fuel Cell car and the Rhoades Car 4 Wheel Cycle Re-Design offered students a preview of the vehicles that could be filling parking lots in the years to come. Inside the University Center Lobby's "Green Store", participants had an opportunity to exchange green currency notes from their wallets or handbags for green products. After browsing through the vendors' wares, participants attended three seminars conducted by Chris Colquit from the General Motors Fuel Cell Activities Division, Kean University industrial design students, and the Kean University geology/meteorology department.
As the week's midpoint, Earth Day brought entertainment to the festivities. With a rock-climbing wall and a DJ set up outside of the University Center, students could scale a mountain and enjoy a heavy bass line at the same time. Others spent time looking after the campus stream, ridding the water of invasive plants. For the Earth Week poster contest, clubs and organizations constructed posters to represent different aspects of environmental awareness such as waste reduction and water preservation. Students with original snap shots of New Jersey's habitats were invited to put forth their pictures in the Earth Week photography competition.
Thursday's Science Celebration Day served as a reminder that it is never too early for good environmental habits to take root. As part of the youth-oriented celebration, the children of Kean University's day care center visited the green house to plant seeds with professors from the science departments. Traversing the campus on a Science Walk and a Science Scavenger Hunt, students and faculty from the science departments welcomed members of local school districts for a fun exploration of science and technology. Dr. Som Mitra of NJIT and Will Heyniger of Kean University's geology/meteorology department gave presentations on solar power and wind energy respectively.
On Friday morning, participants traveled a short distance up the New Jersey Turnpike for the Tree Restoration Project at Liberty State Park. Framed against the picturesque backdrop of the New York City skyline and the Statue of Liberty, participants got their hands dirty by planting new trees, tending to other trees, and picking up trash. In the afternoon, participants were invited to lift anchor and set sail on a Watershed Boat Ride with the US Army Corps of Engineers. Voyagers learned about the environmental role of the Elizabeth River/Arthur Kill Watershed, a drainage basin formed by the Elizabeth River of New Jersey and the Arthur Kill tidal strait of Staten Island, New York. On Saturday morning, participants added to the campus landscape by planting new flowers and vegetables.
The interactive activities of Earth Week 2009 are demonstrative of a hands-on approach to environmental responsibility. Offering some simple ways in which students can "be green", Daniela Shebitz, Ph.D., assistant professor, ecology of the biology department and co-chair of the Institute of Urban Ecosystem Studies, says, "The good news is that there are many small things that we can do that make a large difference. Things like using canvas bags instead of plastic, coffee mugs instead of paper cups, and using both sides of paper will significantly reduce the waste that goes into landfills. Carpooling, taking the train or bus, or riding a bike to get around will not only save you money on gas, but reduce the amount of carbon you send into the atmosphere by driving, contributing to global climate change." Recognizing another easy way for students to help the environment, Shebitz says, "Many students at Kean have become comfortable with idling, or letting the car's engine run when they are waiting for a spot. If you idle for more than 30 seconds, you use more fuel than turning off the engine and restarting it." Shebitz makes note of other environmentally friendly habits such as taking shorter showers, turning off lights, televisions, and computers when not in use, and lessening dietary servings of meat and animal products.
Encouraging students to be passionate about nature and environmental awareness, Shebitz says, "Learn more about the amazing world that is out there and the many things you can do to protect it." As students, faculty, and staff-members carry onward with a stronger awareness of the environment and a deeper appreciation of nature, the values of Earth Week become evergreen.
