West Virginia State University (WVSU) will celebrate Earth Day on Monday, April 25, with a full day of activities taking place in and around the James C. Wilson University Union.
The celebration will begin at 9:30 a.m. and will include presentations, movie screenings and a host of exhibitors, including electric cars on display in the area in front of the Union. All events are free and open to the public.
“We are excited to be a part of the international celebration of Earth Day by honoring its educational focus,” said WVSU English Professor Barbara Ladner, who serves as one of the coordinators of the Earth Day event. “Our presentations and exhibits will help the public understand some important issues related to both climate change and also to extractive industries and sustainable development in West Virginia.”
David Marsalek, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Charleston office, will begin the day’s presentations at 9:30 a.m. in room 135 of the Union speaking on “Climate: Then and Now.”
The keynote address will be delivered at 11 a.m. by James Van Nostrand, director of the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development and Associate Professor of Law at West Virginia University speaking on, “New Clean Air Standards and Sustainable Development in West Virginia.”
Van Nostrand’s address will include a panel discussion featuring WVSU faculty members: Ginta Palubinskas, associate professor of Political Science; Steven Richards, professor of Health and Human Performance; and Michael Workman, assistant professor of History.
At 2 p.m. the movie “This Changes Everything” will be shown in room 135 of the Union. The movie tells the story of people and communities who are trying to meet the challenge of climate change. A discussion will follow.
Then at 7 p.m. the movie “Merchants of Doubt” will be shown, also in room 135 of the Union. The movie focuses on climate change and public relations. A discussion will follow.
In addition, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. environmental and student groups will have informational tables and displays located throughout the Union to help people understand different facets of climate and energy issues.
The Earth Day celebration is supported by the WVSU Cultural Activities Committee.
For more information, contact Professor Brenda Wilson at (304) 766-3246 or wilsonbr@wvstateu.edu.