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Scranton Hosts Earth Day Fair
In an initiative organized by the University’s Sustainability Taskforce, more than 200 students, faculty, staff and community members visited the fair and learned about some simple life changes that can be made to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Visitors at the fair had the opportunity to learn about the dangerous effects of nuclear radiation in wake of the Japan earthquakes; conserving natural resources; sustainable transportation options; biodiversity; ecological consumption; reducing carbon footprints; and electronic recycling.
More than 20 student groups hosted booths with interactive displays and demonstrations at the fair, including students representing social psychology classes and a marine ecology class. The Department of Communication senior seminar classes created presentations targeting different aspects of sustainability and “going green.” One group promoted a campus “powerLESS Hour” for sustainability.
“According to the Department of Energy, 40 percent of energy is used while appliances are turned off,” said Ellen Genello, a senior communication major from Dunmore, currently in the senior seminar course. “We wanted to make students aware of this, so we are promoting a ‘powerLESS Hour’ on campus that will encourage students and community members to unplug any nonessential electronics for an hour.”
The campus “powerLESS Hour” was held from 5 to 6 p.m. on April 19.
Eleven local and regional businesses also hosted informational booths about sustainable business practices and “green” initiatives at the fair. Business owners in attendance included Heather Murphy, owner of ReaDo, an out-of-home business that takes old books and repurposes them into purses. Also participating was Jean Cavazzini, a business leader for Shaklee, a green corporation dedicated to producing environmentally safe cleaning products.
“At Shaklee, we are committed to selling products that are always safe, always work and always green” said Cavazzini.
Aside from visiting information booths, students, faculty, staff and community members were given the opportunity to test out environmentally friendly “Segways,” personal transportation devices, sponsored by Segway of Scranton, a local company new to the Electric City.
