The College of Arts and Sciences is kicking off a month of events that focus on the environment today.
The second annual EarthMonth@OU begins March 20 with a lecture about the country's water shortage from Peter Gleick, president emeritus and chief scientist of the Pacific Institute, at 5 p.m. in the Oklahoma Memorial Union's Beaird Lounge, according to a press release.
Events will be held on campus through April 22 and include a distinguished speaker series, the Native Crossroads Film Festival and a responsibility and sustainability fair, among other events, according to the website.
EarthMonth@OU began in 2016 as a way to advertise OU’s environmental studies program and the fact that OU has a large group of faculty who are interested in environmental issues, said David Hambright, chair of the EarthMonth@OU committee and director of environmental studies.
“It just turned out to be a really great way of getting all of campus together and involved,” Hambright said.
Hambright said other universities around the nation hold similar Earth Month events in April, but OU’s event is planned mainly between March 22 and April 22 to include both World Water Day and Earth Day.
Several student groups are involved with events this year, including Sooners Without Borders and OUr Earth, Hambright said.
“I think students have a vested interest in their future and environmental sustainability is a big part of that," Hambright said. "This is one thing where I think everyone on campus can find something in common."
In 2016, OU events recognizing Earth Month were recognized in an article by USA Today College and with an Environmental Excellence Award from the Earth Month Network.
Earth Month is sponsored by the OU College of Arts and Sciences, College of Architecture, and Housing and Food, among other departments.
For more information and a full list of events, visit the EarthMonth@OU website.
