Earth Day falls on April 22, but the University of Tennessee recognizes the entire month of April as "Earth Month." As part of this month-long celebration, there will be a number of environmentally-focused events available for students, faculty, staff, and community members. All events are free and open to the public.
On a related note, our greater community of Knoxville is sponsoring its annual day-long event, EarthFest, on Saturday, April 21. Another community event, the Run for Clean Air, takes place on Saturday, April 14. Get to know your neighbors, raise your environmental awareness, and have fun while celebrating beautiful East Tennessee!
All day event
Wednesday, April 4
Hopkins, a leader in the United Nations' Decade of Education for Sustainable Development, takes a broad approach to environmental education. He will deliver three talks on April 4, culminating in an evening address at Alumni Memorial Building.
9:05 - 10:30 a.m.
Henson Hall, Room 209
"State of the World and its People - Sustainability and Justice" — Dr. Hopkins will review current data and trends with regard to social, economic, and environmental justice across the world, with a focus on immigrants, children and other vulnerable populations across the age spectrum, communities, and nations. He will define and illustrate the 8 UN Millenium Goals the sustainable development paradigm and interventions that have helped to alleviate and improve wellbeing.
12:20 - 1:50 p.m.
Henson Hall, Room 209
"The United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (DESD) - What Does It Mean for Us?" — Dr. Hopkins will orient participants to the concept of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), and to UN goals, objectives, and actions that are underway and planned for the Decade.
7 p.m.
Alumni Memorial Building, Room 32
Dr. Hopkins will address a broad range of topics that are of interest to the public -- not only the important role of sustainability in classroom education, but also about how to best reach a wider variety of people with information about environmental issues.
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7 p.m.
Monday, April 9
University Center, Room 223
This unique multimedia presentation will give attendees a picture of what global climate change is, what it means for the earth's future, and how we can act today to end it. The presentation, which was the basis for the movie "An Inconvenient Truth," will be given by a trained presenter from The Climate Project.
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2 p.m.
Tuesday, April 10
University Center Auditorium
Jerry Paul, the Howard H. Baker Center's Distinguished Fellow on Energy Policy, will deliver an address titled, "Energy Independence or Energy Security?" Paul's background in politics, energy and government will provide valuable insight on our nation's energy future.
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5:15 p.m.
Thursday, April 12
Presidential Court
The United Residence Halls Council presents its annual recyclable fashion show to raise awareness about recycling.
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12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Friday, April 13
University Center, Room 221
Mary Rogge will discuss environmental justice and the Chattanooga Creek Project. Rogge, associate professor in the College of Social Work and a program leader in the Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, has worked throughout her career to find ways to reduce the impact of poverty and environmental degradation on children and disenfranchised areas.
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12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Tuesday, April 17
University Center, Room 221
Tim Rials, director of UT's Forest Products Research Center, and the
leader of the Southeast Sun Grant Center, will discuss the new Tennessee
Biofuels Initiative. The initiative is designed to capitalize on
Tennessee potential as a research and economic hub for biofuels based on
crops such switchgrass by making a type of ethanol known as
Grassoline(tm). You can prepare for this event by learning more about the initiative.
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11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Thursday, April 19
Morrill Hall
You'll never look at lunch the same way after you take part in this unique event from UT Dining Services. The menu will feature an array of fresh, organic and locally-grown items, with additional options for vegetarians. In addition, the day's meal will use recycling and composting to ensure that no waste will be generated the event. Student groups from around campus will also be present to offer more information to diners.
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6:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 22
Humanities Lawn / Amphitheatre
Celebrate Earth Day by enjoying a vegetarian picnic on the humanities lawn, along with a showing of the animated film Ferngully.
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7 p.m.
Monday, April 23
Alumni Memorial Building, Room 27
This panel will feature speakers from a variety of faiths discussing the intersections of environmentalism, stewardship and religious faith.
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12:15 - 12:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 25
University Center, Room 221
If you notice that UT vehicles smell a little more like french fries lately, you're probably right. This lunch and learn will feature student leaders from the UT Biodiesel project talking about their program which takes waste oil from UT Dining Services and turns it into biodiesel fuel for campus vehicles. The program's student leaders will be present to discuss the UT Biodiesel project.
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7 p.m.
Thursday, April 26
Hodges Library, Lindsay Young Auditorium
Come view & vote on entries to the Studio's Free Range Video Contest — this year's theme is Make Orange Green. These two-minute vignettes will show interesting, funny and insightful pictures of how the filmmakers would Make Orange Green. Plus, you can vote for your favorite entry. After the screening, stick around for a viewing of the acclaimed environmental documentary Kilowatt Ours.
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