By Aaliyah Butler
To kick off Earth Month, the Howard University Department of Environmental Studies hosted the “DC Climate Convergence” in Cramton Auditorium to explore topics such as climate conversations, public health and advocacy.
“We are all engaged in a collective project of calibrating the cold science of climate change causes and effects with the warm inspirational narratives that lead citizens and institutions into action to effect change,” said Rubin Patterson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Science. “This month of events is ideal for one to learn more about climate justice. I look forward to joining others in a series of endless actions for solving possibly humanity’s greatest challenge of the twenty-first century.”
The panel event welcomed environmental experts from seven different colleges in the D.C. area, including:
- Georgetown University;
- Trinity Washington University;
- American University;
- University of District of Columbia;
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Gallaudet University;
- Catholic University;
- George Washington University; and
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George Mason University.
Howard University joins the movement to celebrate Earth Day by creating a month of educational and interactive events – Earth Month@Howard. Earth Month@Howard is designed to increase public awareness of the human impacts and solutions to the planet’s problems.
Earth Month activities will include lectures, films, panel discussions and children’s activities. The month will culminate with campus and community clean-ups and a conservation event at the Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park; curators will provide demonstrations and information about the importance of animal conservation.
Throughout the month, Howard University faculty, students and staff will receive emails with videos and articles about strategies to save the planet and put minority scientists at the forefront of the movement. Additionally, as a result of a donation by Pepsi Cola, 1,867 reusable shopping bags will be distributed to citizens in underserved communities.
The Earth Month Team consists of students, faculty and staff from the Graduate School, College of Arts and Sciences, the Early Learning Program, Andrew Rankin Chapel, WHUT, Howard University Students Association, Graduate Student Association and Auxiliary Enterprises.
Earth Month partners include the Smithsonian Institution National Zoological Park, Association of Minority Zoo & Aquarium Professionals (AMZAP), The Federal City Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Pepsi Cola.
Along with the Federal City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc, the Graduate School and Graduate Student Council will host a screen and panel discussion about the documentary “Brave Blue World,” which explores the technologies and innovations that have the potential to solve the world’s water crisis. The film highlights scientific and technological advancements that have been taking place to ensure the world’s population has access to clean water and safe sanitation services and the environment is protected.
In addition, following the screening, we will engage attendees in a brief panel discussion on awareness of local and international water scarcity concerns, current research initiatives, and what actions they can take to positively impact the access and availability of clean water. We will encourage donations to provide water tanks for programs like the I Can Fly and Muindi Mbinga Schools.
