Many students are increasing their impact by becoming environmental leaders who spread knowledge, change school policy, reduce ecological damage and educate the next generation.
Student efforts are in full bloom in April with more than 70 environmental events planned for Earth Month. Saturday's Eco-Fest will be one of the main events.
Eco-Fest is a public festival that includes multiple bands, speakers, information tables, environmentally friendly vendors, a raffle and workshops.
"There's so much, it's crazy," said Irene Korber, director of the Environmental Action Resource Center.
The student-run center organizes outreach events and offers resources from an environment library.
Korber, who spends about 15 hours a week at the center, said seeing the events and information change people's perspectives validates her hard work.
In the past two years, Korber has witnessed the campus sustainability movement, she said. The involvement of the president and provost have increased student awareness and attracted more attention.
"It's up to our generation to face the consequences of the degradation that's been going on so long," Korber said.
This degradation goes beyond one's backyard and stretches into a global arena.
Nhu Huynh, the co-coordinator of A.S. Recycling Education, said her environmental interest began as a 3-year-old in Vietnam. The severity of the destruction she saw, such as a river running black once a day, is the reason she is interested in climate change and its effects on world health.
Huynh organized the 16th annual Recycling Contest. This year's contest will collect recyclables until Friday. The winner will be announced at Eco-Fest and receive 70 percent of their total donated proceeds. Nu Alpha Kappa received $400 last year for coming in first place. The second and third place winners will receive 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.
Huynh said she is creating a ripple effect that will reduce environmental impact.
"One person could initiate change, like Gandhi, but it takes a collective effort for sustainability," she said.
Benn Davenport, the commissioner of A.S. Environmental Affairs, shares the passion that Huynh has for the environment.
"It's a way of life," he said.
Davenport's impact as commissioner could have lasting effects on the A.S. Food Service purchasing system.
He co-authored a policy that would require A.S. Food Service to give purchasing preference to farms close to campus and require 10 percent of total foods to be made with organic ingredients, according to the resolution. It was passed by the Government Affairs Committee and is being reviewed by the A.S. Business Committee. The resolution also required that 20 percent of all foods be shipped from within California and 25 percent of produce be grown in California and USDA certified organic.
The impact of buying local would reduce pollution and oil dependency, support California's economy and increase energy independence.
Others, such as Cheri Chastain, strive to make an impact through education.
Chastain, the co-coordinator of A.S. Recycling, teaches primarily elementary school children about reducing their waste impact through the Recycling and Rubbish Exhibit.
The exhibit has more than 20 hands-on displays that teach kids about trash, she said.
"The kids just get it," she said. "They haven't been brainwashed by standard consumerism."
Chastain's involvement with children helps her to see a difference in perspectives between generations. She said the 20-something generation is more environmentally aware than older ones, but the younger generations seem to have an even greater awareness.
Shannon Lane can be reached at slane@theorion.com
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