April 6, 2009

Contact:
Liz Babiarz, 404-413-1356
University Relations

'GSU Going Green' for Earth Day

ATLANTA –Georgia State University will celebrate Earth Day this month with a variety of events focused on sustainability.

Themed “GSU Going Green," the festivities kick off April 9 when from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the student-run Sustainable Energy Tribe will host an Earth Day street fair with environmental companies and non-profit organizations, a solar-powered concert, hybrid vehicles, fuel-efficient scooters, games and performances by GSU dance groups.

Also on April 9, Robert Kennedy Jr. will be giving a lecture on “Our Environmental Destiny” at 1 p.m. on in the Student Center Ballroom.  Kennedy serves as senior attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council and was named one of Time magazine’s “Heroes for the Planet.” His lecture is open to the public.

At 8 p.m. on April 9, students are invited to a Green Movie Event. Al Gore’s “An Inconvenient Truth” will be screened in University Commons Lobby Room.

Faculty, students and staff will have an opportunity on April 18 to participate in green community service projects, such as planting in local parks and replacing incandescent light bulbs to energy efficient bulbs in low-income communities.

Students looking for an eco-friendly job will find valuable advice at the Earth Day Green Career Workshop from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on April 16 in Suite 245 of the University Center.

Finally, throughout the month, GSU Greek organizations will be competing in an “Earth Day Challenge,” a four-week long environmental competition to see which group can recycle the greatest amount, do the most community service and adopt the most sustainable practices.

“These events were primarily driven by students who wanted to see us as a university do more in terms of going green,” said Lovell Lemons, director of the Office of Civic Engagement.

For more information, visit: www.gsu.edu/gogreen