Green Week 2010

A year ago, Molly Rambach, like the majority of students in Norman, didn't think much about everyday tasks like throwing out garbage, taking a shower, buying groceries, or even driving her Jeep Commander. But all that changed when she visited a friend in California last summer, and started learning more about environmental issues and the Green Movement.

"When a lot of people think about going green, they automatically think that it's all just about Global Warming and stuff. We want people to understand that they have the power to ensure our environment and surroundings are there for future generations." Rambach explained, "Everything you do impacts the environment; get in your car, eating beef, turning on a faucet."

She also added, "You know, if everyone in the World stopped eating meat for one day a week, it would help the environment seven times more than if everyone drove an electric car."




Green Week, the week leading up to Earth Day, will take place April 19th through the 22nd at various locations throughout the OU campus. The various different events throughout Green Week are designed to entice students to attend in order to promote the cause and educate students.

Those selected for this year's Green Week Executive Committee have been committed to innovative planning since last Fall in order to successfully make Green Week 2010 a monumental event.

The dedicated individuals behind Green Week hope that appealing to as many people as possible, will spark interest in those who previously may not have been interested in environmentalism.

Green Week is all about teaching people all about the various reasons to go green and informing them of simple ways they can personally have an impact on the environment. Although it only lasts one week, the issues surrounding it are about lifetime commitments for a long-term goal.

All throughout the week, which is actually Monday-Thursday, Grey Owl Coffee(http://greyowlcoffee.blogspot.com/) will be giving away coffee in the South Oval from 8-10AM, and lunches will be brown bag.

Each of the four days has it's own environmentally-conscious theme. Monday's theme is Living Green, Tuesday is all about Transportation, Wednesday will center around Energy, and Thursday's focus will be Water.

The schedule will vary from day to day. However, the week will include movie screen from films like, Tapped, Food Inc., & Tar Creek, as well as speakers like Dr. Lifset, of the OU College of Engineering and Mayor of Norman, Cindy Rosenthal.

More reasons to attend include giveaways such as reusable totes and water bottles, as well as tee-shirts made from recycled plastic bottles, a visit from the exotic animals of Little River Zoo (they rescue animals, are located right off of Highway 9, and even have a porcupine! Check out http://www.littleriverzoo.com/ for more information), and free bike repairs in the South Oval.

The last day of Green Week will feature a Living Green Fair and concert (location and bands TBA).

The many individuals and organizations making Green Week 2010 possible include: OU Student Congress, Green Week Executive Committee, OU Housing and Food, plus sponsors like Tom's shoes and Victoria Secret Pink.

Going Green as well as Green Week itself, is not only nationwide, but global. As Rambach pointed out, it is "...relevant to every part of our lives and each department at OU."

As new technology is essentially making the world we live in smaller and smaller by connecting us through travel, communication and industry, we as individuals have the opportunity to chose what kind of of impact to leave behind.

Making Earth-friendly decisions, even those involving seemingly small tasks can have a positive impact on animals and nature worldwide.

Living a Green Lifestyle is good for our health, wallets, and ultimately the quality of life for everyone, including future generation.

Behind Green Week is The Green Education Foundation, which was founded in 2008.

GEF is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping schools and communities educate others about environmental awareness.

According to GEF's website (http://www.greeneducationfoundation.org/) two million children are expected to participate in Green Week, which can actually be any week ranging from February 1st to April 13th.

This year's Green Week will actually be leading up to the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day.

It is expected to be the biggest Green event ever held on the OU campus.

The Green movement has been in the works and gaining momentum slowly throughout the last 20 years or so.

Great strides have been made toward improving sustainability within the OU community and City of Norman especially within the last 5 years.

Groups like OUr Earth, OU's student environmental organization, school-wide recycling programs, and the community garden are just a few examples of how concerned professors and students are uniting to build a more Green campus.

Those especially interested in the Green Movement actually have the option of majoring or getting a minor in Interdisciplinary Perspectives on the Environment, established by the College of Arts and Sciences.

The IPE's website contains links to various campus, local, statewide, and national organization for those who want to learn more or find out how they can get involved (http://ipe.ou.edu/resources.htm).

Professors like Deborah Dalton, Director of the IPE Program, and other dedicated leaders with the OU community are working hard to try and spread their message to the greater student body.

The message Green Week wants to get out is one of hope.

We as individuals, children, grownups and college kids alike, all have to ability to make earth conscious decisions on a daily basis.

By tweaking personal routines when it comes to transportation, water use, and even turning off lights and appliances, everyone can and should do their part to preserve this Earth.