Newswise — UC San Diego is taking the next step as one of the greenest universities in the country by celebrating Earth Week, April 19-25 with 20 "Extreme Green" events, ranging from a trash sort, to a green job fair, and an eco-friendly fashion show. The university's environmental research will be featured and there will be a sustainability award ceremony and green film festival put on by students.
"This year's theme 'extreme green' illustrates how UC San Diego, a world leader in climate change research, is aggressively committed to sustainability through the development of alternative fuels, renewable energy sources, waste diversion, water conservation and green building strategies and others," said Maggie Souder, the university's sustainability coordinator. The week's events include:
"¢ "Trash Sort" and E-Waste: Monday, April 20, noon " Students and staff will dig through more than 1,000 pounds of trash at the Earth Week "Trash Sort" in the Price Center to demonstrate how ordinary garbage is full of recyclable items. At the event, winners of the Recyclemania competition will be announced. Throughout the week, members of the campus and San Diego community are encouraged to bring their old computers, stereos and cell phones to the Myers Loop between 7:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. where their "e-waste" will be collected, so it can be reused, refurbished or recycled.
"¢ Eat Local Organic Food Fair: Tuesday, April 21, 4-6 p.m. " UC San Diego's Dining Director will give a keynote presentation on UC San Diego's "green meals." The event will also feature an interactive roundtable session with farmers, a fresh crop tasting and open forum with community food-related organizations. Throughout the week organic, breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be served at different campus dining halls.
"¢ Green Job Fair: Wednesday, April 22, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. " Hundreds of students are expected to attend UC San Diego's annual Green Job Fair to seek opportunities from companies such as, the Center for Sustainable Energy, enXco and others.
"¢ Green Job Careers Panel: Wednesday, April 22, 2-3:30 p.m. " Professionals from the energy, recycling, conservation and environmental education industries will share their knowledge of the green job industry with students.
"¢ "Green Machine" Clean Car show and Bicycle Breakfast: Thursday, April 23, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. " Students and staff will reduce their carbon footprint by participating in Alternative Transportation Day. The day's events include a clean car show and bicycle breakfast. The "Green Machine" clean car show will feature hybrid vehicles, a smart car called "Gidget" a Tesla Roadster and the "Greenline" shuttle, UC San Diego's first shuttle that runs on biodiesel fuel. More than half of UC San Diego's commuters ride their bike, take the shuttle or drive fuel efficient cars to campus.
"¢ Eco-Fashion Show featuring "Project Trashion" : Friday, April 24, 7-9 p.m. "Students will strut down a green runway to model environmentally friendly designs from student designers and local boutiques. Before the fashion show is the third annual "VidFest" 5-6:30 p.m., featuring original short films produced by UC San Diego students about sustainability and the environment.
RSS