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Tara Gallagher
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There is No Planet B. This timely reminder of the climate crisis guided this year’s theme of Earth Days activities at Salem State.
The Salem State Earth Days Planning Committee developed a series of panels, events, films, and activities to allow students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader community to explore climate change issues from the perspectives of environmental justice, political organizing, energy transformation, ethics, behavior change, feminist and antiracist leadership and more.
The 18 activities engaged more than 1,400 people, including those who viewed an off-season event in October on the Green New Deal. People continue to watch video recordings of most of the events. The links to Earth Days webinars and events are available at www.salemstate.edu/earthday.
Awards
The Earth Days committee bestowed two “Friend of the Earth” Awards to honorees who exhibit the inspirational leadership our current environmental crisis demands.
Professor Marcos Luna, geography and sustainability department, was honored for his unwavering commitment to environmental justice.
Local activist Pat Gozemba, Salem State professor emerita and co-founder of the Salem Alliance for the Environment, was singled out for her tireless, effective local activism.
Research Poster Competition
The flagship Earth Days event each year is the student research poster competition. This was virtual for the first time this year, using the Gather Town platform. Participants enjoyed guiding their avatars through the meeting space to view posters and speak with student authors. Congratulations to the following student winners who are receiving cash awards, provided courtesy of the Tefferteller Peace Fund:
Winning Posters, receiving $75 award:
- Joshua Early, Small Electric Vehicles in Walking Communities
- Emily Kane and Adriana Roscigno, How is Climate Change Affecting Marine Mammals in the Arctic?
- Joey Wolongevicz, Energy Wars: The Reliability of Renewables – Looking at the Texas Energy Crisis
- Elizabeth Norton, Analysis of Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact
Honorable Mention Posters, receiving $50.00 prize:
- Alyssa Cassias and Ava Kopellas, Tectonics and Climate Change in the Andes
- Will Rizza, Hominid Evolution as a Response to Climatic Shifts Caused by Tectonics in Northeast Africa
- Kurt Couture and Kyle McCaffrey, Tectonics and Climate of the Tibetan Plateau
Art Competition
Another highlight of the annual Earth Days celebration is the art competition. This year’s event took the form of a postal art exhibition addressing climate concerns. The 60 postcards submitted are displayed in Frederick L. Berry Library Periodical Room windows and may also be viewed online. All work is for sale at $5.00 each with proceeds going to the artist. For any questions contact kreker@salemstate.edu.
Thank you to the 60 participants, including the young artists at Raw Art Works in Lynn. Congratulations to the Salem State student winners:
Art Postcard Competition winners, recipients of $25.00 prizes:
- Molly Karas
- Erin Melin
- Julia Serino
Thank You!
The Earth Days Planning Committee would like to thank everyone who hosted events, participated in or judged the competitions, and viewed any of the panels, films or other activities. A special thank you to our funders:
- Salem State University College of Arts and Sciences
- Tefferteller Peace Fund
- And our many crowdfunding donors
The Earth Days Planning Committee thanks you for your participation and urges you to stay engaged, as we have more work to do!
Members
Faculty/Staff
Guy Bellino, Ryan Fisher, Karen Gahagan, Tara Gallagher (coordinator), John Hayes, Noel Healy, Jennifer Jackman, Lisa Johnson, Severin Kitanov, Laura Laranjo, Sara Mana, Justin Snow, Kym Pappathanasi, Ken Reker, Steve Young, Andrea Zeren, Carol Zoppel
Students and Student Organizations
College Republicans, Earth Science Academy, MASSPIRG, SGA, Sunrise, Michael Corley, Samantha Giffen, Raymond Harris, Luke Otwell, Maddie Poirier, Ash Wolfe, Joey Wolongevicz
Community Partners
Lynn Nadeau, Healthlink