‘Extreme Green’ Theme of Earth
Week Extravaganza at UC San Diego

April 13, 2009

By Christine Clark

UC San Diego is taking the next step as one of the greenest universities in the country by celebrating Earth Week, April 20-25 with 20 “Extreme Green” events, ranging from a trash sort and a green job fair to 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.

Students will take part in a green jobs fair April 22.

“This year’s extreme green theme 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: Monday, April 20, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Students and staff will dig through more than 1,000 pounds of trash in the Town Square. “The event will demonstrate how ordinary garbage contains recyclable items. At the event, winners of the Recyclemania competition will be announced.

• E-Waste Collection: Tuesday through Thursday, April 21-23, 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Everybody is encouraged to bring old computers, stereos and cell phones to the corner of Rupertus Lane and Russell Lane between the Student Services Center and the Music Building. The e-waste will be reused, refurbished or recycled. 

Members of the UCSD community will learn more about locally grown, organic food.

• Eat Local Organic Food Fair: Tuesday, April 21, 4-6 p.m. – UC San Diego’s Dining Director Steve Casad will give a keynote presentation on “green meals” at Great Hall. Local farmers will host a fresh-crop tasting and open forum with community food-related organizations. Throughout the week organic, breakfasts, lunches and dinners will be served at 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 the annual Green Job Fair at the Career Services Center. The Center for Sustainable Energy, enXco and other companies will be represented.

• Green Job Careers Panel: Thursday, April 23, 2-3:30 p.m. – Professionals from the energy, recycling, conservation and environmental education industries will convene at the Career Services Center to discuss the green job industry with students.

A clean car show will feature cars powered by alternative energy sources.

• “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 will take place at Warren Mall and 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 UC San Diego’s new “Greenline” shuttle, UC San Diego’s first shuttle that runs on B99 biodiesel fuel. More than half of the university’s commuters ride bikes, shuttles or commute in something other than a single-occupant vehicle.

• 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. The Loft is hosting a green-themed dance-off following fashion show. The annual “VidFest,” which is 5-6:30 p.m. at The Loft will feature original short films produced by UC San Diego students about sustainability and the environment.

For more information about Earth Week at UC San Diego go to: http://earthweek.ucsd.edu/

Media Contact: Christine Clark 858-534-7618 or ceclark@ucsd.edu