Environmental consciousness Outreach (ECO) is gearing up for EarthFest 2008, which will feature educational activities and film screenings focusing on environmental topics like alternative energy, clean-ups and nature walks.
"It's really important to have the Tufts community aware of what's going on in the environmental sphere and understand how that connects to what they may be doing on a regular basis," said senior Carrie Jones, an ECO officer.
"EarthFest is an annual spring event that happens leading up to Earth Day," Jones said. "It's kind of a collection of events ranging from activities in the dining hall to [others] out by the campus center."
Earth Day, April 22, will mark the grand finale of EarthFest. Activist Van Jones will give a lecture on environmental justice issues. "He is an incredible civil rights leader [and] a strong proponent for green-collar jobs," or working-class occupations provided by companies that seek to improve the environment, Carrie Jones said.
Van Jones will speak at 6 p.m. that day in Cohen Auditorium.
There are many other opportunities off campus to learn about green topics during Earth Month. The Museum of Science in Boston is in Earth Month mode, with new exhibits, programs and films anticipating the arrival of Earth Day.
Throughout April, visitors can learn about the science and technology behind environmental issues, according to Michael Alexander, the museum's director of public programs.
"I think it's pretty clear throughout our society these days that people are getting more and more concerned about our environment," Alexander told the Daily. "When there are possible connections between things that visitors are interested in learning, we try to make those connections," he said.
Two related exhibits are now on display at the museum.
The first, called "Double Exposure: Photographing Global Climate Change," juxtaposes photographs of mountains and glaciers taken in the 1950s by Brad Washburn, founder of the Museum of Science, with recent pictures shot at the same locations. The exhibit highlights the melting of the glaciers and the snow on the mountains' peaks, Alexander said.
The other exhibit, "Lizards and Snakes Alive," is loaded with live animals that Alexander said are intriguing regardless of people's motivation to see them. But they do show how small environmental changes have significant impacts on wildlife, he said.
The museum is also showing films and holding programs where live educators will discuss environmental issues. "There is a broad spectrum of things that we are doing here at the museum that anyone interested in green topics will find useful," Alexander said.
More information on the Museum of Science and ECO events can be found on their respective Web sites, www.mos.org and ase.tufts.edu/eco.
