Kieran Mundy
Staff Writer
Do you want to get involved in more on-campus activities? Want to hear some live music outside on a fall day? Looking to learn more about on-campus sustainability initiatives? Well, look no further, because Climate Carnival is right around the corner. Sb Loder, campus sustainability coordinator, calls the event “a fall celebration of environmental sustainability.” The event is designed to raise awareness about the importance of supporting environmental groups on campus and of course — as the carnival bit implies — to have fun while doing so.
The event is organized by Greenhouse, the largest student-run environmental group on campus which aims to inform and educate members of The College of Wooster about issues concerning sustainability and environmentalism.
“[At the carnival,] we want to primarily teach and get individuals on board to take steps to lower their carbon footprint,” said Greenhouse member Rita Frost ’14.
In the past, Greenhouse has taken part in a number of initiatives focused on reducing resource consumption, producing more effective substantial energy, cost-saving methods and changing outdated attitudes towards environmentalism.
Greenhouse is looking to accomplish many of the same objectives with Climate Carnival, but this time the activities are centered around “climate reality,” which means that they are meant to educate about global climate change, carbon footprints, greenhouse gas emissions and the individual actions that can be taken in order to affect these changes. The event also serves as a venue to let people know how they can get involved. Many of the campus’ green oriented clubs, such as WOODS, Organic Farming, Bike and Vegan Co-op will be present at the Carnival.
On top of awareness and education, Greenhouse has another target that Climate Carnival should be able to help with: Getting President Cornwell to sign the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The ACUPCC is a document which will confirm the President’s commitment to make the campus carbon-neutral by a certain date. Greenhouse is hoping to inform students about the ACUPCC and have them sign a petition imploring President Cornwell to sign the document.
It’s not all business though, and the “carnival” aspect of the event hasn’t been lost on the members of Greenhouse. The event is going to have food from Vegan Co-op, Chipotle and Local Roots. Environmentally themed activities, including human photo booth, corn hole toss, limbo and face paint, will be there as well.
They’re also hoping to get a number of “soap box” speakers who will address environmental topics ranging from the issue of fracking for oil to what organic farming is. To top off the festivities there will be live music from a variety of student organizations, including Bluegrass and some of the a capella groups on campus.
The event will be taking place on Sept. 27 in the Lowry Circle from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Greenhouse is encouraging students to stop by, sit on the grass, enjoy the live music, try some of the food and learn a little bit about what Climate Carnival is all about.