Butler University (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As Earth Week officially launches around the nation today, Butler University planned a week of events and vowed to a binding commitment to promote sustainable, responsible and eco-conscious living.
To ignite Earth Week, Butler University President James M. Danko — in a pledge to create a long-term strategy to curtail the campus’s greenhouse gas emissions — signed the American College and University President’s (ACAUP) Climate Commitment.
The Climate Commitment will set BU on a journey to become a cleaner, less dependent on fossil fuels while cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions.
More than 670 heads of higher education intuitions have already signed the Climate Commitment — a pledge to complete a comprehensive inventory of all campus greenhouse gas emissions.
The university plans to have a deadline for achieving climate neutrality — reducing fossil fuel energy use or offsetting the use of fossil fuels by retaining gasses like planting trees.
Monday, April 16 — Tree Day — was marked by an 11 p.m. seed paper giveaway, an informational session of the campus’s tree inventory and the President Danko signing of ACUPCC.
Tuesday, April 17 — Sustainable Foods Day — will consist of a reusable bag giveaway, as well as propagating the most effective ways to eat sustainably. Both be hosted from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Starbucks and cafeterias on campus.
Wednesday, April 18, will usher in Water Day. There will be a Brita hydration station promotion (Irwin Library lobby, Jordan Hall first Floor, Gallahue Hall second floor, Lilly Hall main floor). There will also be a presentation on water facts and a water bottle giveaway from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the on-campus Starbucks.
Thursday, April 19, Energy Day will provide Green roof information at, a wind turbine demonstrations and a green roof tour hosted from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., beginning at Starbucks.
Recycling Day — Friday, April 20 — will showcase a recycling video, information on what to recycle and a “Real Dawgs Recycle button giveaway. All events will be hosted in the Starbucks from 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The winner of the RecycleMania competition will be announced and awarded a hand-shaped chair made out of recycled materials at noon at Starbucks
Saturday, April 21 will be Center for Urban Ecology Day where CUE interns will present projects beginning at 11 a.m., going to 1 p.m. at the Center for Urban Ecology.
The CUE Day will also signal the “Keep Indy Beautiful” service project starting at 9 a.m. at Fountain Square and venture into surrounding neighborhoods until noon.
The final day of the Earth Week. Sunday, April 22 — Earth Day — will close with a celebration. Other than partying, the day will also be used to announce a new sustainability council. Both events will be hosted from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Reilly Room on campus.
