Georgia Southern to host No Impact Week April 8-15
The Center for Sustainability (CfS) and the University Wellness Program at Georgia Southern will host the University’s eighth annual No Impact Week from April 8 to 15, with more than 50 events, exhibits and activities on the Statesboro Campus.
“Our goal with No Impact Week is to engage the campus community in a week of sustainability awareness, challenges and action, and to provide a wealth of activities to educate and inspire participants to reduce their carbon footprint,” said Lissa M. Leege, Ph.D., director for the CfS. “This immersive experience can motivate a deeper level of sustainability thinking and inspire the campus community to seek green solutions.
Each day will feature a different sustainability theme. Program highlights are listed below:
Sunday, April 8 – Consumption
Sustainable Solutions Exhibit, Georgia Southern Museum hours
Georgia Southern Museum
The exhibit offers examples of how ecological footprints impact the world and offer sound technology and lifestyle choices for a greener world. The exhibit will be on display all week.
Sustainability Showcase
Zach S. Henderson Library (1st Floor)
View 13 student projects that showcase how Georgia Southern is reducing its environmental impact. The exhibit is open during Library hours.
Monday, April 9 – Trash
Reuse, Reduce, Recycle, READ,
Zach S. Henderson Library (1st Floor)
Books not added to the Henderson Library will be given away for free throughout the week (or until supplies last). The exhibit is open during Library hours.
Exhibits and Activities at the Rotunda, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Russell Union Rotunda
Activities, workshops and info tables at the Rotunda will include Art from Trash, Natural Dyes, Forever Flowers, Recycling Do’s and Don’ts, Make Your Own Paper, Leave No Trace exhibit and campus waste reduction and recycling projects.
Joseph LeConte Lecture: “Arsenic in Water and Food: What Might it Mean for You and Your Family?” 7 p.m.
1119 Natural Sciences Building
Kathryn Cottingham, Ph.D., Dartmouth professor of arts and sciences, will discuss how chronic, low-level exposure to arsenic is associated with skin lesions; skin, lung and bladder cancer; vascular diseases; low birth weight; increased susceptibility to infection; and reduced IQ. Cottingham’s presentation will also highlight her recent collaborative work, including cohort studies that recruit pregnant women who drink water from private wells.
Tuesday, April 10 – Food
Farmers Market Festival, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Russell Union Rotunda
Join dozens of local vendors for delicious produce, baked goods, honey, ready-to-eat food, crafts and more. Festivities will include live music, nutrition education, cooking workshops with celebrity chefs, herb planting, campus community garden tours, composting stations, local food samples and Health Hut with Project Mason Bee, among others.
“Dynamic Earth” film showings, 1-4 p.m.
Georgia Southern Planetarium
Narrated by Academy Award-nominated actor Liam Neeson, the award-winning short film “Dynamic Earth” explores the inner workings of Earth’s climate system. With visualizations based on satellite monitoring data and advanced supercomputer simulations, this cutting-edge production follows a trail of energy that flows from the sun into the interlocking systems that shape our climate: the atmosphere, oceans and the biosphere. Audiences will ride along on swirling ocean and wind currents, dive into the heart of a monster hurricane, come face-to-face with sharks and gigantic whales, and fly into roiling volcanoes. Run time is 25 minutes. Showings will be every half hour.
Wednesday, April 11 – Water
Yoga in the Garden, 8:30 a.m.
Botanic Garden Pavilion
Bring your own mat and start your day off right with centering yoga.
Guest Lecture: “The Emergence of Industrial Ecosystems,” 7-8 p.m.
1004 IT Building
Brian Thorn, Ph.D., Rochester Institute of Technology, will describe the industrial ecosystem, a useful model for addressing industrial waste.
Thursday, April 12 – Energy
Exhibits and Activities at the Rotunda, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Russell Union Rotunda
Make a smoothie with human-powered blender bikes and visit exhibits Vampire Energy, LED vs. CFL Light Bulbs and Sustainable Materials and Methods for Interior Environments Class Project, as well as campus alternative energy projects.
“Landfill Harmonic” film showing, 7 p.m.
1119 Natural Sciences
“Landfill Harmonic” follows the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a Paraguayan musical group that plays instruments made entirely out of garbage. When their story goes viral, the orchestra is catapulted into the global spotlight. Under the guidance of idealistic music director Favio Chavez, the orchestra must navigate a strange new world of arenas and sold-out concerts. However, when a natural disaster strikes their community, Favio must find a way to keep the orchestra intact and provide a source of hope for their town. The film is a testimony to the transformative power of music and the resilience of the human spirit.
Friday, April 13 – Transportation
Bike to Campus Day, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Rotunda
There will be prizes at the Rotunda for all bike riders. Technicians from Southern Adventures will also be on hand for free bike tune-ups.
Wildlife Center Program of the Day, 3:30 p.m.
Wildlife Center
Join the Wildlife Center for their afternoon program, focused on the theme of the day.
Saturday, April 14 – Giving Back
ArtsFest, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Sweetheart Circle
An annual festival celebrating the arts and arts education through performances, exhibiting and demonstrating artists, and hands-on activities and games. CfS will host an Art from Trash ArtStop.
Sunday, April 15 – Reflection
Sunday is a time to reflect on a week of a no-impact lifestyle and think about what was most challenging and what is sustainable for the future.
No Impact Week registration will take place all week long. Register for a chance to win a T-shirt.
Georgia Southern’s No Impact Week is made possible by Student Sustainability Fees. For more information on events visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu/sustainability/events/no-impact-week/.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 27,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Savannah, Statesboro, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
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