Campuses nationwide held environmentally focused activities on the inaugural Earth Day in 1970. At Ship, students participated in film screenings and presentations, demonstrations, trips, and contests.
Shippensburg University celebrated Earth Week in 1970 with its own teach-ins, contests, demonstrations, and field trips. Although the events and activities have changed over the years, students continue to hold a week in April focused on sustainability and stewardship on campus. This year—even though the platform was different—they did so with renewed energy under the newly organized Green League, which encompasses three environmentally focused student groups. “I wanted this year’s Earth Day to be a celebration of hope,” said Paige Steffy, a senior geoenvironmental major and Green League president. “We should remember how far we’ve come and what we can do now. We want to reinvigorate students.”
Keeping the Momentum
Fifty years ago, people united from coast to coast for rallies, demonstrations, and teach-ins that protested against and educated on our deteriorating environment. Their efforts led to major change through the formation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passing of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts. This new legislation called on states and the EPA to solve environmental problems through science and technology.
Now, the international Earth Day Network strives to activate and educate a worldwide environmental movement. The initial event made great strides. In 2020, new challenges and opportunities require a renewed energy around climate action, which was the theme of Earth Day 2020. EarthDay.org states, “As an individual, you yield real power and influence as a consumer, a voter, and a member of a community that can unite for change. Don’t underestimate your power.” And that is exactly what the Ship community drove home during StewardSHIP Week. “The biggest thing is awareness—what does it mean to us as a student body?” said Becky Hansen, a senior geography/earth science major and outgoing coordinator of SEAS. Students for Environmental Action and Sustainability (SEAS), one of the organizations under Green League, is an advocating body for environmental change and sustainable practices on campus. SEAS organizes the annual StewardSHIP Week and Earth Day recognition. This was the first year that Ship celebrated Earth Day virtually. In line with state and federal guidelines, the university made the difficult decision to close campus due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resume
activities through remote learning. But climate action can't take a break, so neither did Ship. The day continued in a virtual setting. Events included recorded and live talks, Earth Day challenges, at-home tips, and more. From the Geography/Earth Science Department, faculty shared videos on gardening tips, the significance of bees, container gardening, and water quality. Another piece of the newly formed Green League is the Geography/Earth Science Organization (GESO), a group that focuses on action and stewardship more than advocacy. Although much of the work between the two groups overlaps, GESO commits to stream and trail cleanups, tree plantings, and education. The third arm of the league is the SU Farm Club. “Last year, the decision was made to bring together these organizations under the umbrella of the Green League,” said Dr. Sean Cornell, professor of geography/ earth science. “They still have separate
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