Student organizations to sponsor Green Week

Photo Courtesy of Rachel Reeves

Emporia State is going green this week as the Environmental Club and Young Democrats host a series of events.

“This is the second year Young Democrats and Environmental Club have put on Green Week,” said Rachel Reeves, senior political science major and president of ESU Young Democrats. “We’re very excited to make this an annual event and even better than last year.”

The two organizations have planned several events to emphasize the importance of protecting the environment.

“I hope that students will walk away from Green Week with a deepened interest in the environment and will take note of their own personal impact on the planet,” said Harrison George, sophomore sociology major and environmental club member.

Throughout the week, both organizations will host a table in the Memorial Union where students can drop off recyclable materials including cans, bottles and paper. These materials will then be taken to the Emporia Recycling Center. Students who bring in recyclable materials will be eligible to win a variety of prizes.

“A grocery bag of items gets one ticket, a garbage bag gets five,” said Annabel Osburn junior social sciences major and president of the Environmental Club. “The tickets will be used to determine prize winners. The grand prize will be a bike.”

Those who care about environmental issues were asked to wear green throughout the day today to show their support and encourage participation in the week’s activities. At 5 p.m. students will gather at the Sunken Gardens and work together to clean up all areas of the ESU campus.

Tuesday, the two organizations will host a panel discussion on Kansas energy. The panel will feature representations on energy at the local and state wide level and will include Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson, representatives from Westar Energy, the Kansas Corporation Commission, the Sierra Club and the Great Plains.

“The panel will discuss current energy issues here in Kansas, including the building of two coal plants in Holcomb and the development of wind energy,” Reeves said.

Following the discussion, students are welcome to ask questions, voice their own opinions and discuss what was said in the panel.

At 7 p.m. Wednesday in room 70 of the Science Hall the film “Who Killed the Electric Car” will be shown. The documentary was created to uncover the reasons why the concept of the electric car has not caught on in the United States.

“The movie addresses the reasons why America has yet to make the transition to more eco-sensible vehicles.” George said. “A discussion will follow the movie.”

Thursday will mark the completion of Green Week with a large picnic beginning at 5 p.m. on the Morse Hall lawn. The picnic will include free pizza and cookies as well as a number of games. There will also be live music featuring two bands, Random Artist 2.0 and Radio City. During the picnic, drawings will be held for students who received raffle tickets.

Young Democrats and the Environmental Club have worked hard to prepare for Green Week and hope that students will come away with a deeper appreciation of the environment.

“Green Week brings an awareness of environmental issues” Osburn said. “It also provides a way to gain information, ask questions, and talk about things [students] feel are important. Plus, you know, have some fun.”