CSM Marks October as Sustainability Awareness Month

October is Sustainability Awareness Month at College of Saint Mary.

Dr. Ganesh Naik, director of chemistry and the environmental sustainability program, along with the institutional sustainability committee on campus, has planned several events to raise awareness.

Events include:

Electronic and metal recycling collection

10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Oct. 14

Cross Electronic Recycling will help dispose of items, which include computers, laptops, televisions, printers, keyboards, cell phones, stereos, power tools, batteries, appliances, and more. There are fees for TVs, microwaves, large exercise equipment and batteries.

Engaging Mercy’s Critical Concerns

1-2 p.m., Oct. 14 , Gross Auditorium

Michael Poulin, justice resource manager for the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas, will speak on the Sisters of Mercy’s Critical Concerns of Earth, immigration, racism, women and nonviolence.

Now or Never: Wine, Equity and Regenerative Viticulture in the Napa Valley

1-2 p.m., Nov. 1, Gross Auditorium

Climate change, wildfires, social injustices and more threaten the future of Napa Valley. Dr. Mark Gudgel, assistant professor of education, presents a conversation about how many in the wine industry are taking strides to correct these issues and what we, as consumers, can do to aid them in their efforts.

Other events include the showing of the documentary “Kiss the Ground” on Oct. 25, a cooking workshop on Oct. 27 and a composting workshop on Oct. 28.

Five CSM students will spend their fall break at the 2022 Growing Sustainable Communities Conference on Oct. 17-18 in Dubuque, Iowa.

On Oct. 4, students in Dr. Naik’s Earth Wisdom class volunteered at the Food Bank for the Heartland.

Dr. Naik said sustainability is an important concept.

“Consumption has increased to the extreme that many of the resources which are easily available in nature may not be available to our next generation,” he said. “It’s important for everyone to realize that there is a limit to the available resources, and we want to make sure it is available to future generations.”

The library will have sustainability-related books and films on display. Dr. Nicole Chipy, assistant professor of occupational therapy, has written a blog on composting. It is posted to the CSM sustainability site.

The committee hopes to make this an annual awareness month.