READING, Pa. — The Penn State Berks Sustainability Team, led by Mahsa Kazempour, associate professor of science education, is hosting a variety of activities and events in April for the college’s second annual Sustainability Month celebration. These activities and events, planned and coordinated by various faculty, staff and students, will focus on raising awareness and encouraging personal and community action.
During Earth Week, the college will hold an “Earth Fest” from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, on the Perkins Student Center lawn. The event will feature educational activities, engaging and informative demonstrations, information stations, and much more. This event is free and open to the public. Various community organizations will be represented, including Berks Gas Truth, Kittatany Sierra Club, and Nolde Environmental Education Center, as well as several college departments and student clubs.
In addition, the Sustainability Film Fest, will host a screening of "Dirty Business: 'Clean Coal' and the Battle for our Energy Future," at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 17, Room 5, Luerssen Building. The screening is free and open to the public.
In the digital age, half of our electricity still comes from coal. "Dirty Business" reveals the true social and environmental costs of coal power and tells the stories of innovators who are pointing the way to a renewable energy future. Guided by Rolling Stone reporter Jeff Goodell, the film examines what it means to remain dependent on a 19th-century technology that is the largest single source of greenhouse gases. The screening will be followed by presentations by Karen Feridun, founder of Berks Gas Truth, and Jayné Park Martinez, coordinator of the Office of Planning, Research and Assessment and instructor, Division of Science, Penn State Berks. Light refreshments will be served.
For more information, contact Kazempour at 610-396-6312 or via e-mail at [email protected].