In light of Earth Day, the Campus Center will be filled with tri-fold posters and presentations created by Dr. Jim Cooke’s environmental and technological science classes on Wednesday.
They will be in the Campus Center from 10 a.m.-1 p.m., and each presentation will discuss and raise awareness on different environmental issues that are affecting Earth and humanity as a whole.
“So, you’re one person and you think, ‘Well, what can I do?'” Cooke said. “But the reality is a few dedicated, caring people are the only thing that has ever changed the world. So the little things that you do matter. Whether it’s recycling, energy conservation or deciding what your next vehicle is going to be that you buy; all those decisions are important decisions that you make.”
Just as the name of the holiday implies, Earth Day is recognized and celebrated all across the globe. Various cities across the world will be hosting festivals, concerts and activities to honor Earth Day and to celebrate the planet.
ACU celebrated this week by showcasing the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Science students’ sustainable landscape projects on Monday.
“We’re developing a futuristic sustainable landscape that manages water as well as provides food and color without a lot of external energy, as turf would do,” said Billy Kniffen, an adjunct professor in the department. “So we’ve taken out the turf, put in landscaping that complements this environment as well as plants that are adapted to this area. We’ve got native and adapted plants, vegetables that are in the area and three rain barrels that are full of water right now already.”
On Wednesday, as students head to the Campus Center to check their mail and get their lunch, they will inevitably run into Cooke’s classes’ presentations. Each presentation is an opportunity to recognize the earth and take a look at what’s going on right under the nose of humanity.
“This creation has been given to us, from my faith perspective, by a loving God,” Cooke said. “The way we respond to that gift has a lot to say about how we respond to the creator, the giver of that gift.”
