This Friday will not be your typical day on campus - in recognition of the 23rd annual Earth Day, UNMPIRG will sponsor a variety of activities and events, all centering on environmental education.
The event will bring in more than 25 environmental organizations both from campus and around the state, informing attendees about issues surrounding preservation, conservation and most importantly, change.
Other participants in the celebration include the band Mystic Vision, Blue Tribe African Dancers and the renowned Great American Indian Dancers. Harlan McKasato from National Public Radio's Native America Calling will be speaking, as well as UNM's Dr. Rinita Mazudmar.
The speakers will address concerns regarding environmental respect and the role of activism in today's political environment. And if it gets too hot, don't fret - Animal Protectors will be handing out free soy ice cream.
UNMPIRG director Shannon Lumpkin, a third-year biology student at UNM, has helped organize the event, along with the assistance of co-director Patrick Gendron.
"The idea is to have a grassroots community event where all organizations that focus on the environment in the community and on campus have the opportunity to come together and find out what everyone is working on and also to educate students," Lumpkin said.
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She added that while no particular issue will be the focus of this year's Earth Day, energy conservation is among the most urgent issues in the state of New Mexico.
"We really need to tap into our resources and stop using polluting materials for energy," Lumpkin said.
According to the organization's Web site, the University of New Mexico Public Interest Research Group is a nonprofit, non-partisan consumer and environment advocacy group. NMPIRG is part of a nationwide network of PIRGs, which bring student activism to 35 states and more than 70 campuses.
Currently, UNMPIRG is busy with credit card education for students and will launch a campaign for clean energy on campus in the fall. UNMPIRG has also served the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, focusing on educating students and research work.
One of the group's biggest accomplishments included their part in helping to pass the Renewable Portfolio Standard, a bill passed by the state's public regulation commission that will fund research on the benefits of alternative forms of energy.
The group is also a part of the coalition for free airtime campaign, which will allow candidates running for office free media coverage. This will enable people who are not wealthy the opportunity to participate in elections as candidates.
"We feel expensive elections are detrimental to the idea of true democracy," Lumpkin said.
With involvement in so many activities, it's a wonder there was enough time to plan for Friday's events.
According to a press release, this year's Earth Day celebration will attempt to "recapture the spirit of the first Earth Day."
Through these celebrations, "the public will send a message to the White House and local state governments that all aspects of our environment need to be protected."
To volunteer for UNMPIRG or for more information regarding the organization, visit the Web site at www.unm.edu/~nmpirg.
