As Earth Day finally comes to Canton again, numerous student environmental groups are preparing to show their dedication to protecting the planet. After a year they see as fraught with increasing environmental havoc, many individuals in these groups feel it is more important than ever to show their support.
On Sunday, April 22, DivestSLU, the Earth Action Organization, and the St. Lawrence River Alliance will be joining together post-Springfest to begin a clean-up throughout Canton. After planting a tree at 2 p.m. on the Java Quad, the coalition plans to spend the rest of the day making a difference. EAO co-president Nick Filannino states, “We’ll be suiting up to work with Divest outside. There’s a whole bunch of litter after Springfest and not many devoted environmentalists. All hands on deck!” All are welcome to join the clean-up, and there will be coffee provided.
As the semester draws to a close, activity within the groups shows no signs of stopping. Currently, EAO is selling reusable sporks for a dollar to cut down on plastic waste at the Pub and developing a workshop with the Green House to create cloth cases for the utensils. Earlier in the semester, the group helped galvanize environmental voters for upcoming elections and sent art panels to a protest in Albany. In addition to directing the clean-up, DivestSLU is constructing protest art for the upcoming Melon Fest. The group also showed various movies and tabled this semester as well. The St. Lawrence River Alliance is looking to reach out to local schools to educate them about waterways, and all three groups have worked on the campaign to ban plastic water bottles at St. Lawrence.
Though the road to total sustainability is a long and arduous one, these groups are committed to helping St. Lawrence get there. Happy Earth Day!