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		Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula March 17, 2007 Guest Column © 2007 Katie Schalk. Logo © 2006  and Poster © 2007 courtesy Michigan Tech Students for Environmental Sustainability (SfES). Photo of Alan Weisman © and courtesy Alan Weisman and Michigan Tech University. Reprinted with permission.

A Week-Long Revolution: Earth Week 2007 

By Katie Schalk

HOUGHTON -- Just when you thought winter would never end, spring is right around the corner and things are heating up for Earth Week 2007. Michigan Tech's Students for Environmental Sustainability think you'll be pleased with this year's exciting Earth Week festivities. Earth Week will be celebrated the week of March 19 - 23 in correspondence with the internationally celebrated Earth Day, which falls on the day of the vernal equinox, when spring officially begins. This year it's March 21.

Did you know that "a gallon of gas burned by a gas powered auto adds roughly 19 pounds of carbon dioxide to the air”? You’ll learn this and other disturbing facts on Monday, March 19, when we kick off Earth Week with a special presentation of the Sony Pictures Classics film Who Killed the Electric Car? starting at 7 p.m. in Fisher, Room 135. After the film, Kate Alvord, author of Divorce Your Car, will lead a discussion. Perhaps by the end of the evening we’ll be able to answer the burning question, "Who or what really killed the electric car?"  You may even want to participate in a postcard writing session. Postcards and addresses of senators, representatives and CEOs of pertinent corporations will be available. Refreshments will be provided.

If you can't make it to the first showing of Who Killed the Electric Car? you'll get a second chance at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 25, in Room U115 of the M and M Building on campus. Once again, a discussion will follow. 

Poster for Michigan Tech's Earth Week 2007 lists activities throughout the week of March 19-23. Click on poster for larger version. (Image © 2007 and courtesy MTU Students for Environmental Sustainability. Reprinted with permission.)

On Tuesday, March 20, at 12 Noon in the Memorial Union Building (MUB) Ballroom  B, there will be a free brown bag lunch session on tie dye and clothing reuse. Bring your lunch and learn how to patch up your tattered wardrobe. Then try your hand at dying bandanas with our safe, non-toxic dyes. All supplies will be provided. 

Interested in research on sustainability and wondering what kind of research has been going on here at MTU? Join us from Noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday in MUB Ballroom B for a lunchtime faculty and graduate student panel discussion on sustainability research at MTU. Drinks and snacks will be provided; bring your lunch and your questions and come, listen and learn.

Have you heard the buzz about Gaviotas? Find out what it’s all about at the presentation starting at 7 p.m. Wednesday in MUB Ballroom B. Come learn about sustainable development in one of the world's harsher regions when we delve into Alan Weisman’s world and his inspiring book, Gaviotas: A Village to Reinvent the World. You'll also get a perspective of community members’ experiences in the Peace Corps. This is the perfect way to gear up for Alan Weisman’s visit to Michigan Tech on April 12. Mark your calendars!

Alan Weisman, author of Gaviotas: A  Village to Reinvent the World, will visit Michigan Tech on April 12. To prepare for his visit, Earth Week activities on campus include a presentation on the book at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, in MUB Ballroom B. (Photo © and courtesy Alan Weisman and Michigan Tech University. Reprinted with permission.)

Could your household cleaners be making you sick? On Thursday, March 22, Annie Bond -- author of four books on healthy and toxin-free homes and lifestyles and executive producer of Care2.com's Healthy Living Channel -- will offer a workshop on toxin-free, healthy household cleaners. The session will take place from Noon -1 p.m. in MUB Ballroom B. Bring your lunch! Following a brief presentation by Annie Bond, attendees will get to try their hand at making some safe cleansers of their own. Supplies will be provided.

Thursday evening Annie Bond will be back to tell the story of how she came to do what she does today. She will also share some of her wildest "Ask Annie" questions from her Ask Annie Q&A column at Care2.com. Audience members will have a chance to ask questions as well. Visit our SfES website to submit your questions for Annie in advance.

Are you confused about where, how, and what you can recycle in the Keeweenaw? Get your questions answered! From Noon to 1 p.m. on Friday, March 23, check out the informational session in MUB Ballroom B about local recycling efforts, both on campus and in the Keeweenaw community.

Check out the SfES website for a complete schedule of Earth Week events. All events are free and anyone can attend. Come join in the Green Revolution!

Editor's note: Guest author Katie Schalk will be graduating from MTU this spring with a bachelor's degree in physics. Katie also has an associate's degree in liberal arts from Alpena Community College, which is near her hometown of Hawks, Mich. "I've always been interested in sustainable and green living," Katie writes. "I got involved with the Students for Environmental Sustainability and the Environmental Sustainability Committee soon after transferring (to MTU) and will continue to campaign for these ideals in the future."