On April 22, 2024, the world celebrated the 54th annual Earth Day, a momentous occasion dedicated to advocating for environmental protection and honoring the remarkable qualities of our planet.
Villanova’s Earth Day was sponsored by the Office for Sustainability in Mission and Ministry. According to the University website, “[Earth Day] is an opportunity to celebrate our planet as well as critically examine our relationships with the natural environment.”
The Villanova community celebrated this event by hosting a Care for the Earth Mass in the Corr Chapel. The message of Earth Day aligns closely with that of the Catholic Church, as explained through Pope Francis’s Laudato si. Additionally, the LePage Center organized a virtual lecture titled “The Genius of Earth Day,” which explored the origins of the 1970 teach-in that unexpectedly sparked the emergence of the First Green Generation.
The campus community spent the day coming together to express gratitude for the planet. These Earth Day events serve to underscore the significance of sustainability and inspire action towards fostering a more sustainable world.
Sophomore student Natalie Hurtwich, majoring in environmental studies, emphasized the significance of this day to her.
“Earth Day is important to me because it creates a sense of community around a shared recognition of Earth’s beauty,” Hurtwich said. “In our daily lives, we often neglect to appreciate the gifts of the Earth. A day of recognition is the first step—and the bare minimum—in our duty as stewards of Earth’s resources.”
Dr. Lisa Rodrigues, professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment (GEV), signified the importance of Earth Day as giving others the opportunity to think about environmental and sustainability issues.
“For me, Earth Day is a day for people to think about something that I think about all of the time,” Rodrigues said.
Lauren Lynch, a GEV professor, also demonstrated a profound dedication to the Earth Day movement.
“I think that the most interesting thing about Earth Day to me is that it started as a protest and that the actions taken at the first Earth Day are associated with some of the pretty important environmental successes of the 1970s related to legislation around pollution,” Lynch said. “To me it’s an example of what we can do collectively when we recognize and take our power. It gives me hope that we have the capacity to solve big problems.”
Villanova’s dedication to environmental awareness goes beyond just Earth Day, as it extends celebrations throughout an entire “Earth Week.” Starting on Tuesday, April 16 and running through Saturday, April 27, the University is committed to promoting sustainability and conservation efforts.
There are many events that students and faculty alike can look forward to this week.
The Sustainability Fair will be taking place on Wednesday, April 24 located at the Oreo. This event will include vendors, activities, student research presentations and free giveaways. Also, on Wednesday, Michael Weilbacher, the Executive Director of the Schuylkill Environmental Education Center, was chosen as the Earth Day Keynote Speaker, giving a presentation on climate change in Philadelphia located in the Connelly Center Cinema. On Thursday, April 25, students can participate in a yoga and sustainability mindfulness session led by the University Sustainability Manager, Allie McAllister. The Wildcat Thrift store, organized by the Student Sustainability Committee, returns on Friday, April 26, offering students the opportunity to rent tables and sell their clothing items.
These events are just to name a few. One can check out the full listing of opportunities to get involved on the Office for Sustainability’s website.
