GVSU Sustainability Week Focuses On Zero Impact Lifestyle

ALLENDALE -- Grand Valley State University challenges the campus community to practice a zero-impact lifestyle during the university's Campus Sustainability Week, which runs Oct. 14-23.

Going on its seventh year, Campus Sustainability Week's theme is "No Impact Experiment" and models No Impact Man Colin Beavan's experiment to see if living a zero-impact lifestyle could lead to a happier life. Each day of the week will focus on a specific aspect of life-like consumption, transportation, energy and food, and will provide challenges to reduce impact in that area. Students, faculty and staff can register for the No Impact Experiment at www.gvsu.edu/csw.

The

week will start with the Sustainability Champions Awards Breakfast on Friday, Oct. 14, from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m. in the Pere Marquette Room in the Kirkhof Center on the Allendale Campus. President Thomas J. Haas and Wendy Wenner, dean of the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies, will recognize and celebrate campus sustainability champions.

CSW participants are invited to share their celebrations and challenges during the week on the CSW Blog, Facebook and Twitter with the hash tag #GVCSW11. A full schedule of events is available at www.gvsu.edu/csw.

* Fair Trade Fair, Monday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Kirkhof Center Lobby, Allendale. Hosted by Students for Fair Trade, the fair will showcase sustainable products and services vendors.

* "Dive! Living Off America's Waste" Film Screening and Panel Discussion. Monday, Oct. 17, 1 to 2:30 p.m., Kirkhof Center, Allendale. Film producer Timothy Vatterott will participate in a panel discussion addressing hunger and food waste in West Michigan on Oct. 17 from 6-9 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew Grand Rapids Campus. The documentary "Dive" explores what happens with the 93 billion pounds of food thrown away in the United States each year.

* Shooting Down the Myths of Climate Denial, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m., University Club, Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Environmental awareness and energy alternatives advocate Peter Sinclair will present on climate change. Sinclair has worked with Al Gore and the world's leading climate experts for more than 30 years.

* Beehive Design Collective: "The True Cost of Coal," Thursday, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., Calder Art Center, Allendale. Maine-based artists and storytellers will present an oral and visual narrative, "The True Cost of Coal."

* Sustainapalooza, Friday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. to midnight, Kirkhof Center, Allendale. Several student organizations will host a concert to kick back, relax and celebrate sustainability.

* Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 22, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Grand River Room, Kirkhof Center, Allendale. Each year students, faculty and staff volunteer their time by performing a variety of projects for local Grand Rapids agencies.