GVSU To Tackle Climate Change, Consumption
GRAND RAPIDS -- Climate change, dumpster diving and biodiesel will be topics of discussion at three events during Grand Valley State University's Campus Sustainability Week.
A viewing of "Dive! Living Off America's Waste," and a panel discussion with film producer Timothy Vatterott, will take place Monday, Oct. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium on GVSU Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The film received 21 awards worldwide and explores what happens with the 93 billion pounds of food thrown away in the United States each year. The panel will include people from local organizations like Feed America West Michigan and Our Kitchen Table, and will address hunger and food waste in West Michigan.
Environmental awareness advocate Peter Sinclair will give a presentation, "Shooting Down the Myths of Climate Denial," Tuesday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. in the Pere Marquette Room of the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus, and at 3 p.m. in the University Club on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Sinclair has worked with Al Gore and the world's leading climate experts for more than 30 years. He is an award-winning graphic artist, illustrator and animator, and manages his own business in Midland.
A panel of local alternative energy experts will discuss the documentary film "Fuel" on Thursday, Oct. 20, at 3 p.m. in room 2215 of the Kirkhof Center in Allendale. A screening of the film will begin at 1 p.m. The Sundance Film Festival award-winning film outlines the problem of dependence on fossil fuels and suggests a solution to increase production of biodiesel, an alternative fuel made from waste vegetable oil. Grand Valley communications professor Joe Helgert founded Green Diesel Inc., an organization that provides a biodiesel additive for vehicles and marine vessels in West Michigan.
Campus Sustainability Week runs Oct. 14-23. Participants are invited to share their celebrations and challenges during the week on Facebook and Twitter with the hash tag #GVCSW11. A full schedule of events is available at www.gvsu.edu/csw.
