Earth Day celebrations focus on making our planet a priority
ASU will celebrate Earth Day and the various ways to help our planet with more than a week's worth of events planned at various locations. Photo by Deanna Dent/ASU
On April 22, Earth Day is celebrated across the country and in nearly 193 countries around the world.
Arizona State University will be part of that celebration.
The university has planned more than a week's worth of events on multiple campuses featuring food, walks, talks, an Earth Day music series and film screenings.
There will be everything from an Earth Day garage sale to a sustainable fashion show, with designs made with upcycling hacks, vintage fabrics and eco-friendly materials.
The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, which is hosting many of the events, has scheduled a talk with Abrahm Lustgarten at 1 p.m. April 17 in the Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health. The investigative reporter will discuss his newly released book “On the Move: The Overheating Earth and Uprooting of America.”
“Earth Day is so important because it is an opportunity to bring people together to raise awareness of environmental challenges on local to global scales and celebrate the achievements of those making a difference in our community,” said Kennedy Gourdine, a third-year student pursuing a BA in sustainability.
Kennedy has been involved with Earth Day events throughout her time at ASU.
“These events are important because they are a type of informal learning,” Gourdine said. “I've learned so much about environmental challenges and initiatives through these events and I would love to give others that experience as well.”
Since solving the environmental problems of our planet will fall on future generations, the ASU Global Futures Earth Day celebration will present a panel titled “Perspective by Young Leaders” on April 22. The discussion will feature students and alumni who are already driving impactful change.
For students on ASU’s West Valley campus, an interactive eco-expo takes place on April 17, showcasing clubs that promote sustainability and teach students how to be the change and make a difference.
Since 1970, the world has united on April 22 to celebrate our planet and all that we must do to honor and protect it.
To that end, the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes is combining the Earth Day celebrations with its 10th anniversary milestone on April 26 — and saluting the center’s successes while shaping plans for the future.
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to grow the Center for Biodiversity Outcomes at ASU over the past 10 years,” said Leah Gerber, founding director of the center and a professor in the School for the Future of Innovation in Society. “Our work has transformed the way the world values, manages and thinks about biodiversity.”
With nearly two dozen Earth Day events of every kind, people of varying interests are sure to find a way to get involved.
“Earth Day is the embodiment of the successes and struggles of those who aspire to improve the relationship between humans and the natural environment,” Gourdine said. “I encourage everyone to come celebrate Earth Day with us this year.”
Earth Week events at a glance
Wednesday, April 17
Climate Chats with Chu
10–11:30 a.m.
Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health, Tempe campus
Interview with climate journalist Abrahm Lustgarten
1–2 p.m.
Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health, Tempe campus
Garden Commons volunteer event
9–11 a.m.
Polytechnic campus
Earth Day Eco-Expo
Noon–3 p.m.
Fletcher Lawn, West Valley campus
Thursday, April 18
Sustainable fashion webinar
11 a.m.–noon
Online
Friday, April 19
Eco-chic design fashion show
6:30 p.m.
FABRIC, Tempe
Monday, April 22 — Earth Day
Earth Day celebration including the State of Global Futures Address
9:30 a.m.–noon
Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health, Tempe campus
ASU Earth Day Walk – Walk the Talk
9–11 a.m.
Mountain America Stadium, Tempe campus
Earth Day Music Series and Festival
10:45–noon
Student Union, Polytechnic campus
Poly Garage Sale
10:45–noon
Backus Mall, Polytechnic campus
School of Sustainability MSUS capstone presentations
3–5 p.m.
Rob and Melani Walton Center for Planetary Health, Tempe campus
Tuesday, April 23
“We Are All Plastic People Now” film screening and discussion
5:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Marston Exploration Theater, Tempe campus
Wednesday, April 24
Careers for Global Futures
5 to 7 p.m.
Walton Center for Planetary Health, Tempe campus, and online
Friday, April 26
Center for Biodiversity Outcomes 10th anniversary celebration
8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Walton Center for Planetary Health, Tempe campus
ASU Zero Waste Blue Bag sorting
8–10 a.m
Zero Waste office, Tempe
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