Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Features

Media Credit: Joe Vegas An art exhibit, which featured 27 eco-themed art pieces, was displayed in Kadema Hall's Witt Gallery. [Click to enlarge]

Media Credit: Joe Vegas [Click to enlarge]

With art exhibits, performances and lectures, Earth Day has officially kicked off here at Sacramento State.

The Environmental Students Organization has prepared a variety of events to celebrate and promote Earth Day on and off campus.

"We've had Earth Day on campus before but this one is pretty big," Environmental Studies Organization President Sangeeta Hegde said.

All of the events are completely free of charge. Hegde said she just wants people to come out and show their support.

"People should just turn off all the electricity and enjoy Earth and enjoy themselves being alive on it," environmental studies professor Michelle Stevens said.

On April 24, environmental professor Angus Wright will be giving a speech titled "This is the Time - Building a New Environmental Movement."

"I will be speaking about building a new environmental movement and I think that is both newly urgent because of the extraordinarily new kinds of problems. So many people have become aware of it and we both have an urgent need to build a new environmental movement," Wright said.

Wright said people should come and listen to his speech because it will be a great opportunity to learn about global warming and other challenges and to talk and ask questions.

Wright has been an environmental activist and teacher for more than 30 years. He's done research in Brazil and Mexico and is the co-founder of the Environmental Students Organization.

"I've done a lot of work to try to improve international communication about environmentalist issues," Wright said.

Wright is officially retired but has been teaching part time. However, after this semester Wright will be leaving Sacramento State to do some traveling with his wife.

Stevens describes Wright as someone who isn't just a good scholar but someone who really wants to make a difference.

"He's not just working for his own ego but to make a difference. I'm going to live my life the same way," Stevens said.

On-campus events to celebrate Earth Day included an art exhibit. The art exhibit featured 27 eco-themed art pieces. The pieces were be displayed in Kadema Hall's Witt Gallery.

The Environmental Students Organization also be hosted The Second String Quintet, a band from Stockton. According to the organization, the music was "a mix of soul, blues, jazz and just plain old-time, feel-good music." The band performed live in the Serna Plaza on the April 21.

Hegde said the organization will also be providing information about preserving Earth and to educate people about the environment.

"We're all members of society and the earth involves everyone. We need to all take care of the resources we have and it all affects everyone equally. You might say it's not important but it is in the long run," Hegde said.

Hegde, who has visited her native India a few times, said Americans take for granted their resources, such as clean water.

"In India, they can only turn on water a certain time of the day and that's it," Hegde said.

To learn how to appreciate Earth and the resources it has provided for us, Hegde and Stevens encourage people to come to the events or to become a part of the Environmental Students Organization. There is no club member fee to join. Instead, the organization does fundraisers such as selling plants and accepts donations to help fund the club.

"We take people on field trips so they can see how beautiful Earth is right now," Stevens said.

Another event is a movie screening of "Oil on Ice," an hour-long documentary on the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, how Americans choose to deal with energy issues and the Gwich'in people who get caught in the middle of it all.

"If you want some free snacks and also learn about what everyone is talking about, maybe you can actually see it from a native's perspective," Hegde said.

The film will take place in the University Union at 1 p.m. on May 1. Stephen Mose, the writer and film maker, will also be present to introduce his film and to answer any questions.

Jose Fragoso, an environmental studies professor from UC Santa Cruz, will be speaking on May 7 at 4 p.m. about tropical ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and traditional resource management practices of the Amazonian indigenous people. He will also be showing slides of his work. The speech will be at Sequoia Hall in room 458.

"For people who aren't as aware, it'll bring awareness and gather interest," Hegde said.

For anyone who can't make it to any of the events but wants to learn more on how to make Earth a better place, Hegde says steps people can do are to simply recycle and not to litter.

Wright advises people to use their talents to contribute to a solution.

"Look for your own talents and interests and how to contribute them because we need every kind," Wright said.

For those who aren't interested in making Earth a better place, Stevens suggests they find a better planet.

"We challenge you to find a better one," Stevens said.

Typhani Yang can be reached at tyang@statehornet.com

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