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The Daily Wildcat

The Daily Wildcat

 

‘Carbon Down’ on UA Mall

Valentina Martinelli / Arizona Daily Wildcat 

Colin Holmes, 25, a mechanic at Bicas performs a free bike checkup as part of a celebration of Earth Day on the UA mall on April 22, 2010.  Local businesses and organizations took part in this event by selling environmentally friendly products and having raffles and contests.
Valentina Martinelli
Valentina Martinelli / Arizona Daily Wildcat Colin Holmes, 25, a mechanic at Bicas performs a free bike checkup as part of a celebration of Earth Day on the UA mall on April 22, 2010. Local businesses and organizations took part in this event by selling environmentally friendly products and having raffles and contests.

“”Bear Down”” was given a green tweak Thursday. UA students and Tucson community members celebrated sustainability during Earth Day 2010: Carbon Down Arizona.

Students for Sustainability, an Associated Students of the University of Arizona leadership program, organized the event. Booths from UA and community organizations spanned the UA Mall.

The event was held on University Boulevard last year but moved to the Mall “”to increase the accessibility to students,”” according to Lesley Ash, director of Students for Sustainability and veterinary sciences senior.

Earth Day 2010 featured five “”villages”” including UA initiatives, education, products and services,7 a farmers’ market and transportation. The overall idea of the event was to bring together resources from throughout Tucson.

“”One of our main themes is collaboration,”” Ash said.

Event organizers aimed to inform students about the various facets of sustainability.

“”I think a lot of students are oblivious to how they can be sustainable and how their decisions affect sustainability,”” said marketing sophomore Kiley Dumas, a Students for Sustainability intern.

Vendors sold eco-friendly products, while representatives from local organizations answered questions and gave information.

“”I feel it’s been pretty cool. I’ve learned a few different things,”” said public health senior Beatrice Abiero. “”One of the presentations I listened to was definitely skewed, but it was interesting to hear people’s perspectives.””

Various academic departments also showcased their research and projects.

Students from the Consumers, Environment and Sustainability Initiative, a program through the Retailing and Consumer Sciences program, explained their study on bottled water.

“”We’re mainly interested in a consumer’s perspective,”” said Charles Lawry, a doctoral student in the retail and consumer sciences program.

Lawry noted that bottled water is more expensive than tap water and is unsustainable.

“”It can be a rather wasteful resource,”” said Lawry, who encouraged students to utilize reusable water bottles.

Student-led initiatives showing sustainability efforts on campus were also on display.

Students from Posada San Pedro Solar Powered demonstrated the use of solar panels.

“”We’re working to get solar paneling installed in residence halls,”” said Kevin Pounds, an electrical and optical engineering junior.

The group has been working for two years and expects solar panel installation will begin this summer.

Many students who attended the event found it to be educational.

“”I’m glad I stopped by and looked around,”” said Mai Nguyen, an undecided freshman. “”I had never heard of Earth Day before.””

Event organizers hoped people came away from the day with new knowledge and strategies to help them “”carbon down.””

“”Not everyone has to save the world and be completely green,”” said Shelley Thomas, a pre-business freshman. “”There are little things you can do without having to change your entire life.””

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