Two green groups on campus are hosting a new environmentally focused film series to promote sustainability awareness.
The Resource and Environmental Management Program and Take Back the Tap, are using the film series to shed light on environmental issues surrounding water, fracking and sustainability.
Senior Emily Shaw, an eco-representative for REMP, said she hopes the films will inspire students to get involved with environmental advocacy.
“Film is such a powerful medium,” she said. “We hope kids will take the action further after watching the films.”
The film “No Impact Man,” which will screen Sept. 19, is a documentary by Laura Gabbert and Justin Schein that addresses sustainability and personal awareness. The final film, “Dirt” by Bill Benenson and Gene Rosow, which will screen Sept. 26, will highlight soil and composting.
Activities that engage students in environmental issues, such as a water tasting and composting lessons, will follow the film screenings.
REMP is a campus group that works to promote sustainable living and ideas. Take Back the Tap is an environmental student organization that targets misconceptions surrounding the consumption of tap water.
Shaw said she began planning the film series over the summer.
“I was trying to think of something I could do to get people from all different spectrums involved with environmental causes,” she said.
During the summer, Shaw contacted junior Jessica Wunsch, vice president of IC Take Back the Tap, about hosting the film series together.
“It’s a really great partnership,” Wunsch said. “Together we can see what’s going on in the world and then bring issues back down to things that students can do to help out.”
Senior Juliet Barriola, an eco-representative who organizes the environmental events, said the film events will be an important part of educating the public.
“We need to get environmental issues out to the public, because people leave them to the environmentalists, but environmental issues have to deal with everything,” she said.
While the film series ends in September, REMP and Take Back the Tap plan to continue themed events each month for the remainder of the semester. October will focus on food, and November will be about consumption.
“We hope to make people think about the products and resources they are consuming,” Barriola said. “If you have the option to make the better choice, do it.”
The film screenings will take place at 7 p.m. in Textor 102 every Wednesday in September. The events are free to students and the public.
