Climate change, dumpster diving and biodiesel will be topics of
discussion at three events during Grand Valley State University’s
Campus Sustainability Week.
A viewing of “Dive! Living Off America’s Waste,” and a panel
discussion with film producer Timothy Vatterott, will take place
October 17, from 6-9 p.m. in the Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew
Grand Rapids Campus. The film received 21 awards
worldwide and explores what happens with the 93 billion pounds of food
thrown away in the United States each year. The panel will include
people from local organizations like Feed America West Michigan and
Our Kitchen Table, and will address hunger and food waste in West
Michigan.
Environmental awareness advocate Peter Sinclair will give a
presentation, “Shooting Down the Myths of Climate Denial,” October
18 at 11 a.m. in the Pere Marquette Room of the Kirkhof Center on
the Allendale Campus, and at 3 p.m. in the University Club on the
Pew Grand Rapids Campus. Sinclair has worked with Al Gore
and the world’s leading climate experts for more than 30 years. He is
an award-winning graphic artist, illustrator and animator, and manages
his own business in Midland, Mich.
A panel of local alternative energy experts will discuss the
documentary film “Fuel” on October 20, at 3 p.m. in room 2215 of the
Kirkhof Center in Allendale. A screening of the film will begin at 1
p.m. The Sundance Film Festival award-winning film outlines
the problem of dependence on fossil fuels and suggests a solution to
increase production of biodiesel, an alternative fuel made from waste
vegetable oil. Grand Valley communications professor Joe Helgert
founded Green Diesel, Inc., an organization that provides a biodiesel
additive for vehicles and marine vessels in West Michigan.
Campus Sustainability Week runs October 14-23. Participants are
invited to share their celebrations and challenges during the week on
Facebook and Twitter with the hash tag #GVCSW11. A full
schedule of events is available at www.gvsu.edu/csw.
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