By snoadmin
The Environmental Science and Policy (ES&P) Club began Earth Week with a bang at its Kickoff Event in the Southwest Terrace Monday, which included a live band and several student and off-campus organizations.
The ES&P Club sponsored the event as an effort to get people interested in the environment, according to Danae Werthmann, a senior environmental science and policy major and ES&P Club treasurer.
“We’re trying to raise awareness of local environmental aspects in Long Beach that we can appreciate and help save,” Werthmann said. “We’re trying to promote clubs with an environmental spin.”
Representatives from the ES&P Club, the Sunday Interactive Worship Service, Circle K International, CSULB Pagan Alliance, Marine Biology Student Association, Geology Student Association and the California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) were present at the event to inform students and provide information on Earth Week.
Pastor Chris Fukunaga of the Sunday Interactive Worship Service passed out fliers and candy promoting the “44-minute Downtown LB Trash Pick-up.”
“Our organization represents the church voice that cares about the environment,” Fukunaga said. “God created the world, and the world is in decay right now.”
CALPIRG, a grassroots investigative research organization, also attended the event to provide students with information regarding global warming, as well as other environmental and social issues. CALPIRG is helping CSULB launch the Campus Climate Challenge, according to Sayla Eisner-Mix, campus organizer for CALPIRG.
“The purpose of the Campus Climate Challenge is to get the campus to go carbon-neutral,” Eisner-Mix said. “It’s our future. We’re the ones who are going to have to deal with these [environmental] problems.”
The band Sidewalk Musical also gave a live performance at the event to provide entertainment and grab students’ attention.
Circle K, an international service organization with a chapter at Cal State Long Beach, attended the event and distributed information regarding community service events in which students could participate in the Long Beach area.
The Pagan Alliance Club participated in the Kickoff Event by handing out packages of plant and flower seeds, as well as informational fliers on how to make non-toxic house cleaners and other Earth-friendly products.
“We’re trying to make less of an impact on the Earth,” said Samantha Jordensen, Pagan Alliance Club member and sophomore art major.
