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Tara Gallagher, sustainability and EH&S coordinator
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Salem State University celebrates the 52nd anniversary of Earth Day with a series of in person and virtual events beginning on April 5 and running through April 19. This year’s event is themed “Climate Crisis: Actions for a Just and Livable World” and will provide opportunities for the community to learn about the science and impacts of climate change and engage in conversation focused on solutions.
Among the events are a forum on the promise of offshore wind featuring Seth Lattrell, Port Authority Deputy for the City of Salem; a conversation about climate reporting with Boston Globe columnist Dharna Noor; a discussion on the role of museums in the climate crisis with Peabody Essex Museum curator Jane Winchell; and a conversation about climate risk and the politics of adaptation in Massachusetts with Associate Professor of Global of Studies Rob DeLeo (Bentley University). All events are free and open to the public. Learn more at salemstate.edu/earthday.
Salem State’s Earth Day celebration will be observed by faculty, students and staff across campus. In addition to the student research poster competition, which is the university’s only judged undergraduate research competition, this year there will be a student art competition and for the first time, a student writing competition.
“It is exciting to see how Earth Day has evolved into a whole campus event, with more departments engaged than ever before, befitting the interdisciplinary nature of the climate crisis,” said event co-organizer and Salem State Sustainability and EH&S Coordinator Tara Gallagher.
On April 14 the Earth Days Planning Team will present two Friends of the Earth Awards in recognition of outstanding environmental stewardship. This year’s honorees are HEET, for their leadership with initiating projects and partnerships to transform Massachusetts’ energy systems, and Nathan Phillips, climate activist and associate professor of environmental science at Boston University for his research and advocacy on gas leaks and a clean energy future.
Earth Day was founded on April 22, 1970, when 20 million Americans took to the streets to protest environmental pollution. This national protest is widely cited as the catalyst for the modern-day global environmental movement.
Salem State University is committed to sustainability year-round. In May 2018 the university announced its divestment from Carbon 200 (fossil fuel) companies and added investments in solar and renewable energy companies. In March 2022 the campus added its sixth rooftop solar array to Meier Hall on North Campus. Five campus buildings have achieved LEED-certification and the campus parking garage received a Parksmart award for its sustainable features. Other campus initiatives include hosting a Bluebike bike share hub, 19 EV charging spots, promoting green commuting, reuse and recycling programs, and food composting. Its 34 water bottle refill stations across campus have helped to eliminate over one million single-use water bottles. To learn more about sustainability at Salem State visit https://www.salemstate.edu/sustainability.