With Earth Day right around the corner, No Impact Week has

been in full swing at Georgia Southern University. Events have been held every

day to help students learn sustainable practices.

Earth Day started in 1970 as an effort to bring awareness to the United States about the environment and how to preserve it. In 1990, the effort expanded to an international platform and is celebrated in over 141 nations.

All week, activities have been held in honor of Earth Day. Events included turning trash to treasure and viewings of the lunar eclipse at the planetarium.

“It’s fun and environmental all in one and I’m glad that Green Ambassadors pulled through with the idea,” Alexcia Taylor, Green Ambassadors member, said about the Trash to Treasure event.

Other events held over this past week were a campus farmer’s market on Tuesday and an all-day biking event on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, GSU also hosted Dr. Steven Chu, former U.S. Secretary of Energy and Nobel Prize Winner. Dr. Chu spoke to the crowd about ways to become more independent through sustainable energy.

GSU is celebrating Earth Day early with a sustainable feast tonight. The feast will be held at the GSU Botanical Gardens and served potluck style. Bring a sustainable dish and eating supplies and enjoy dishes others have brought.

There are still many ways to get involved with No Impact Week. Today, specifically, there are opportunities at the Rotunda including DIY sustainable crafts and music provided by the Pladd Dot School of Rock.

GSU also is hosting tours of the new sustainable buildings on campus today starting at 1 p.m.

On Friday, No Impact Week is hosting a Campus Watershed Clean Up to help reduce the amount of litter on campus and in the surrounding waters.

“No Impact Week has been a great success so far with a record number of participants at events and many people registered for the week,” said Dr. Lissa Leege, director of the Center of Sustainability for GSU.

With a record high number of participating students this year’s No Impact Week has taught GSU all about ways to reduce its footprint.