Sylvia_Stone [at] Brown.edu, Ari [at] empowerbrown.org
To host events that raise awareness of key environmental issues, and to provide a space in which interested but less active members of the Brown community can engage with such environmental issues.
Environmental Events was founded in the fall of 2010 by emPOWER’s Steering Committee. The committee recognized the need to have a group devoted to planning large-scale environmental events that are not tied to a particular issue. Because of emPOWER’s member group model, each group plans events related to that group’s particular cause, but when the time comes for big events like Earth Day or 350.org Day of Action, there is no one to automatically assume responsibility for planning such things. Additionally, it is difficult for a student who is generally concerned about the environment to get involved in the environmental community if he/she doesn’t feel drawn to a particular campaign or initiative already in place. Therefore, theEnvironmental Events group was started with the dual goal of taking on the planning for these large events, or for providing a space for environmentally-conscious students to get involved.
In fall 2010, Environmental Events hosted two large, successful events. The first, Ocean Night, coincided with Beyond the Bottle’s Water Week to raise awareness about issues surrounding ocean health such as pollution, acidification, and climate change. The event featured a documentary screening, a performance by Arr!, the pirate a cappella group, showings of the TV show Planet Earth, and free food! The second event that the group hosted was a Green Living Fair in December. This event featured booths of green gifts for sale from local merchants, green living tips from the Apeiron Institute for Sustainable Living, representatives from jobs and internships in the environmental field, samples of green cleaning products, home weatherization experts, free food, and more!
Environmental Events’ big focus this spring will be planning for an amazing Earth Day and Earth Week! It’s never too early to start planning, so join now and help us get started!
