If there’s any time to go green, that time is now as climate change has been documented as affecting our environment, trash is visibly polluting the earth and deforestation is threatening ecosystems. If you can’t get involved on a global scale, there are many ways to can get involved in improving the environment right here on campus, Naperville and Chicago for the 47th Earth Month.
If you’re looking for something to do during community hours on April 18, Residence Life will be hosting “Energy Hour” from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. at Res/Rec. Students can tour the rooftop solar panels, test out a bike-powered smoothie maker, play energy-themed games, and grab food and prizes.
North Central is known as an eco-conscious facility that offers amenities such as electric car-charging stations.
Commuters can even join in on the Earth Day festivities with an Earth Day breakfast on April 19 at 8:30 a.m. in Larrance Academic Center. You’ll be able to grab food and coffee as well as make your own “pot of earth.”
Residence Life is also hosting a tree planting on April 20 from 12:15-2 p.m. in Jefferson Plaza. Last year, NCC received a Tree Campus USA recognition and the College wants to plant more trees this Earth Week and Arbor Day to help the institution reach the goal of Level II Arboretum accreditation. Level II accreditation requires “at least 100 species of woody plants, employ paid staff, and have enhanced public education programs and a documented collections policy,” says arbnet.org.
Earth Day is this Saturday, April 22, and earthday.org is planning a March for Science at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., to push for environmental and climate literacy, something the organization wishes to be widespread by Earth Day 2020, the 50th anniversary of the event. If you can’t make it to D.C. for the main event, there is a sister march in Chicago at 10 a.m. meeting at the intersection of Congress Parkway and Congress Plaza Drive and marching to the Museum campus for the Science in Chicago Expo. There will also be a rally just south of Jackson Drive.
You can be green every day by riding your bike or walking to class instead of driving.
For those wanting to get involved on a larger scale, Jane Donahue with the Aurora Beacon-News says “those wanting to get involved on the ground can join the Naperville Park District’s month-long volunteer effort to spruce up area parks.” You can also join other various programs during April and May to help clean up areas like downtown, the Riverwalk and local parks.
If cleaning up the earth isn’t enough, NCC is hosting a climate change forum on May 6 where you can hear from Congressman Bill Foster, chief meteorologist at WGN Tom Skilling, associate professor of physics Paul Bloom and more in Ratio Hall at the Science Center beginning at 9:30 a.m. This event is free with your student ID, but requires a ticket which you can pick up at the box office in Wentz Concert Hall.
