The U’s Earth Fest celebration aimed to teach students that is, in fact, easy being green.
The event took place Thursday in the Mariott Library Plaza. Allison Godbe, a professor in exercise and sport science and an administrator with ASUU’s sustainability branch, said this event is held to bring “like-minded minds” together.
“I think that we are the custodians of our planet and I am passionate,” Godbe said. “It’s my way to give a little contribution.”
Godbe said this earth-friendly event gives students a chance to do their small part to make a change and help the planet.
Organizations, such as Red Butte Creek, Sprouts and Trader Joe’s, participated in the event. The Marriot Library handed out free books and had a sign in front of their table asking students what they could do to be more sustainable. There was free food and bikes for sale. There was also a giant hacky sack of the world in the middle of the plaza.
The College of Mines and Earth Sciences, which focuses on geology, mining and the atmosphere, said they are looking for ways to recycle metals.
The U’s commuter and transportation system is starting a bike sharing program this Fall Semester. The program will offer bikes, helmets and bike locks to students for an entire semester for $25. They are starting the program with twelve bikes.
Citizen’s Climate Lobby, a non-profit organization focused on national policies dealing with climate change, tabled at the event and advocated to get local legislators to support neutral carbon tax.
Beth Allen, a volunteer for the organization, said some people have a hopeless feeling regarding the planet’s current state, but that positive changes are taking place.
“It’s a wonderful event. We are very inspired by U students,” Allen said.
Outdoor Trash Collective, an on-campus club that supports picking up trash to keep hiking trails clean, offered free gear, such as water bottles, to U students who post on their Instagram page.
“We just want clean trails while we’re out hiking,” said Kris Hawkins, a freshman in entrepreneurship.
Kurtis Kunz, a sophomore in civil engineering, and Nick Johnson, a junior in environmental and sustainability studies, said they try to do their part by riding their bikes more often than driving.
Miranda Carter, a grad student in city and metropolitan planning, said she wanted to learn how to better contribute to ecological efforts by attending Earth Fest.
“I want to do more. I’m not doing as much as I should,” Carter said.
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