By Stephen Burgers
City Times
The Stewardship and Resources Committee of San Diego City College hosted the first Earth Day Fair in Gorton Plaza on April 19.
Faculty members Theresa Gallo and Donna Di Paola organized the event “to promote environmental awareness and get people excited about ways to contribute,” Di Paola said.
The fair aimed to raise awareness of everyone’s behaviors toward the environment and ways they can support the nature of the planet with a wealth of information and a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Several vendors showed support at the fair including The City of San Diego’s Environmental Department, The Sierra Club, The Regional Energy Office, and The Surfrider Foundation.
“Normal activity is harmful to the environment,” said Scott Harrison, who was representing the Surfrider Foundation, meaning our sometimes thoughtless littering.
He talked about a phenomenal mass of debris that is caught in the North Pacific Gyre and he also mentioned a little known fact that it is illegal to wash a car in the street because of debris. Harrison said he also advocates a general lifestyle change.
Students were able to learn simple methods of making a difference for themselves and the students of the future. A viewing of the film “An Inconvenient Truth” was shown for students in the dining area. Preserving the resources we have is an important part of recycling and the collective movement preparing for our environmental future.
The fair offered literature and direction to those interested in accepting the future of global warming. Many of the solutions are very simple behaviors we can adapt with minimal effort. The fair supported the essence of the educational values in that learning is key to our future.
Lizzy Hutzel volunteered with Tara Hanlon to assist with a membership drive for the new City College Environmental Club on campus.
“Earth Day is important to promote awareness about issues of our future health and welfare,” said Hutzel.
Hanlon added, “Celebrating Earth Day gives us a moment to reflect on what the earth gives us and to appreciate it.”
The new environmental club had 27 students sign on and is still open to membership. Donna Di Paola who co-sponsors the club with Theresa Gallo said, “This was the first Earth Day and we hope that next year is even bigger.”
