WCU Climate Emergency Week
WCU is providing many opportunities this week to learn about and to take action on the climate crisis. Join us and other WCU students, faculty, and staff as we learn more about the challenges posed by the climate crisis at home and around the globe.
WEDNESDAY
Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar
Join us this semester in welcoming scholars and practitioners from across campus as we explore the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. This week we'll be hearing from the Dr. Karl Hausker from the World Research Institute on Zero-Net Emissions by 2050: Climate Realities and Challenges. The Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar is held weekly on Wednesdays from 12 pm to 12:50 pm in Sykes 255 A/B. Students, faculty, and community members are all welcome. Refreshments will be provided.
Live Streaming of the presentation will be provided by Kristin Herman of WCU’s Distance Education Office via a Zoom website connection at https://wcupa.zoom.us/j/8729284546.
THURSDAY
The 3rd Annual Environmental Sustainability Film Series
BIKES VS CARS
Coming up on Thursday of this week, the first film in a series of four will be screened in the Sykes Student Union Theater as a part of the 3rd Annual Environmental Sustainability Film Series. This first film will be Bikes vs Cars, a story about the struggle for space and rights on the road by cyclists and motorists alike. The film screening will begin at 6pm and admission is free. This event is open to the public and is sponsored by the WCU Office of Sustainability, the West Chester Green Team, and members of the Chester County Environmental Alliance.
FRIDAY
Rally to Support the Climate Strike
Friday, a rally will be held at the Chester Country Courthouse to stand together with climate strikes taking place across the globe that same day. These strikes have been organized to fall just three days prior to the UN Climate Summit being convened in NY City on September 23rd. The rally in West Chester will take place at 11am, but for those on campus, RUCCAS (Rustin Urban Community Change Axis) will be walking down with a group leaving from the entrance of Main Hall at 10:45am.
FRIDAY
Park(ing) Day
On Friday West Chester University will participate in an international Park(ing) Day event where urban parking space is reimagined. From 8:30am to 4p on Church Street near Rosedale Ave, a parking space will be creatively transformed into small scale parks. Walk over and check it out and maybe find inspiration for how urban space could be utilized!
SATURDAY 12 PM
International Day of Peace
The theme for the 2019 International Day of Peace is "Climate Action for Peace," and the United Nations is calling on everyone to take action. In West Chester, a commemoration of the International Day of Peace will be held at the Chester County Courthouse from 12pm to 1pm, sponsored by the Chester County Peace Movement.
SATURDAY 2PM
March for Peace & Climate
Directly following the official commemoration of the International Day of Peace, a March for Peace & Climate will be taking place, leaving from the Chester County Courthouse and continuing on for 4 blocks to the Unitarian Congregation. Speakers at the march will include Senator Andy Dinniman, Pipeline Activist Ginny Kerslake, former Mayor Jordan Norley, Environmental Activist Isaac Harte, Clean Water Activist Maurice Sampson II, Peace Advocate Jen Karsten, members of the Sunrise Movement, Sierra Club, & powerful Youth Leaders from across Chester County. Mayor Dianne Herrin will give a welcome and there will be live music provided by Rev Dan Schatz. Refreshments will be provided by the West Chester Cooperative.
AORE Campus Challenge
Brought to you by WCU's Outdoor Adventure Pursuits, the AORE Campus Challenge is kicking off today and running through October 13th! The challenge is aimed at simply getting people outdoors, which is especially relevant as we enter into a week long series of events to raise climate change awareness. 98 schools across the country are competing and you can be a part of helping put WCU on the map! Just download the AORE Campus Challenge App and post your outdoor activities any time during the next four weeks. This could be as simple as your morning walk or bike ride to work, a weekend hike or stroll with your dog, or as adventurous as joining the OAP program on their fall Mountain Biking Trip on September 28th. Just get outside!
AORE Campus Challenge - 24 Hour Adventure Race
As part of the month long AORE Campus Challenge, WCU's Outdoor Adventure Pursuits is hosting a 24 Hour Adventure Race this Friday evening from 6pm to 9pm at the Quad. There's going to be live music, games, and food as participants go head to head with schools across the country to see who can get the most people outside and active. Contact outdoorpursuits@wcupa.edu with questions.
Perils of Plastics
with Dr. Sherri Mason
The Stroud Water Research Center will host a fascinating lecture on Sunday, September 22, 2019 by Dr. Sherri Mason titled Perils of Plastics. Dr. Mason will present her groundbreaking research at this time on the identification of the presence of microbeads and microfibers in fresh water, and the associated dangers of these findings. Doors will open at 4 pm at the Stroud Water Research Center's Meetinghouse and the lecture itself will begin at 4:45 pm. This event is free and open to the public. Contact Jessica Provinski with questions.