How BU Honors Earth Day, Every Day
BU Sustainability helped coordinate a month-long series of events

How BU Honors Earth Day, Every Day
BU Sustainability helped coordinate a month-long series of events
April 22 is the 53rd celebration of Earth Day worldwide, and BU has big plans. To mark the occasion, the University has launched Earth Day 365, an event series highlighting the importance of protecting the planet every day.
“One thing that we preach in our office is that the celebration of the planet and sustainability shouldn’t just be dedicated to specific moments in time,” says Sam Moller, assistant director of communications at BU Sustainability.
This year’s program, which began March 18 and runs through April 27, includes more than 30 happenings on both the Charles River and Medical Campuses. Events are hosted by various partners, including the Institute for Global Sustainability, BU Arts Initiative, the School of Social Work, and BU Athletics.
Moller says he hopes this initiative will be the gateway for more regularly scheduled sustainability events in the future. “There’s lots of events that people in our BU community can get involved in,” he says. “We can really increase awareness of the great work that’s going on at the University across departments and programs related to this topic.”
Events taking place from now until the end of April include a film screening, cooking demonstrations, panel discussions, and “Lax-A-Palooza” (a BU double-header lacrosse game with free giveaways). And the University’s commitment to the planet will continue long after Earth Week: BU’s Climate Action Plan aims to have the University be carbon-neutral by 2040.
Here is a sample of the Earth Day 365 events; the full list can be found here:
Waste Audits, University-wide
Check the website for days and times.
Help the BU Sustainability team investigate the contents of the trash, recycling, and food waste bins at the Dental School and the Center for Computing and Data Sciences. They will track data on what is thrown into the bins, create a baseline to compare to in future audits, and help the University stay on track for its Zero Waste goals.
Screening of Entangled
April 11, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Questrom Auditorium
Join David Abel, a College of Communication professor of the practice of journalism and Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter, for a screening of his film about climate change and endangered species. Register here.
Center for Career Development Professional Clothing Closet
April 11, noon to 2:30 pm at the Yawkey Center, room 613A
The fashion industry is the number two polluter in the world. Donating clothes keeps them out of landfills and benefit cash-strapped students. BU’s Center for Career Development’s Professional Clothing Closet accepts donations of gently used professional clothing. At this event, students may select up to four free items of clothing and bring items to be mended by expert sewers. The event will also offer resume and cover letter review sessions.
Sustainability Tour of the Center for Computing & Data Sciences
April 12, 11 am at the Center for Computing & Data Sciences
Take a tour and learn about the new building’s geothermal heating and cooling systems in addition to its Zero Waste initiatives. Sign up here.
Campus Climate Lab Spring 2023 Project Presentations
April 12, 1 to 2:30 pm at the BUild Lab
Hear about the latest BU Climate Lab projects and how they are supporting the goals of the BU Climate Action Plan. Registration is required.
Jacques Pepin Lecture Series: Grain and Fire
April 13, 6 to 7 pm at BU School of Hospitality
Join BU Gastronomy for a conversation about how three global food traditions—Indigenous American, European, and African—merged economies, cultures, and foodways to create the Southern baking tradition. Register here.
Sargent Choice Nutrition Center Cooking Demonstration for Students, Faculty, and Staff
April 19, various times and locations
Learn how to make healthy, sustainable dishes. Find dates, locations, and times here for students and here for faculty and staff.
Lax-a-Palooza
April 22, 11 am to 6 pm at Nickerson Field
Support your Terriers during the BU double-header lacrosse games and enjoy food and drinks from local food trucks and a beer garden. This is a Zero Waste event, where BU Sustainability will have increased recycling and food waste bins onsite. Bring a reusable beverage container for soft drinks (there will be no cups at this event to reduce waste); beer (for those 21-plus) will be served in cans. There will also be games, giveaways, and more.
BUA Earth Day Panel
April 23, 1:30 to 3:30 pm at the George Sherman Union
Attend BUA’s Earth Day panel and hear from various speakers including professors, environmental lawyers, and local politicians. Buy tickets here.
Shred + Recycle Events Across BU
April 25 to 27, various times and locations
Safely and securely dispose of documents, harddrives, textiles, batteries, pens, lightbulbs, toner, electronics, and more.
“We really wanted to elevate all these different things that are happening across campus and make BU, which is such a big place, a little bit smaller when it comes to sustainability initiatives,” says Moller. “There’s a little bit of something for everybody.”
More events continue to be added. A complete and updated list of events and information can be found here.
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