This week through April 15, the entire Columbia community is celebrating Earth Day during a series of events including panel discussions, an outdoor fair, planting and clean-up in Morningside Park and live music concerts. Earth Day has been stretched to Earth Week. In addition to raising awareness about environmental issues as they relate to both Columbia University and the world at large, the week's programs will give all interested a chance to learn about the diverse issues that relate to the environment, such as urban activism, spirituality and politics, and to celebrate Columbia's academic community.

In organizing Earth Week 2000, the student-run organization Columbia Earth Coalition envisioned creating a campus-wide forum in which issues such as urban activism, politics and spirituality are creatively acknowledged and critically examined as fundamental elements of the greater theme of environmentalism.

Panel discussion participants include Columbia faculty and administrators, President George Rupp speaks on Wednesday, New York City officials and representatives of environmental organizations.

Thursday, April 13th: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion: "A Crisis of the Spirit? Environmentalism, Spirituality, and Religion"

Columbia University, John Jay Lounge

Panel contributors:

• Robert Thurman, Jey Tsong Khapa Professor of Indo-Tibetan Studies at Columbia University
• George Rupp, President of Columbia University and former Dean of Theological Studies at Harvard University
• Richard Foltz, Columbia Professor of Environmental Ethics
• Rev. Golliher, St. John the Divine Cathedral
• Student Moderator, Seth Shames

Friday, April 14th: 4:00- 6:00 p.m.
Panel Discussion: "Environmental And Ethical living in N.Y.C"

Columbia University, Lerner Hall, Room E567

Panel contributors:

• Kay Zias, Director of New York City Economic Development Corporation
• Emily Lloyd, Executive Vice-President of Columbia University and former Sanitation commissioner for the City of New York
• Bruce Fowle, founding partner of Fox & Fowle Builders, Green Builder
• Marc Matsil, Director of Natural Resources, NYC Parks Department
• Fiona Watt, Head of Forestry New York City Parks Department
• Candida Bido, Outreach Coordinator, West Harlem Environmental Action
• Student Moderator, Simon Fischer Baum

Friday, April 14th: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
VanAm Jams

• Columbia Campus, VanAm Quad
• featuring Ron Patrides, Jazz Band
• BBQ Dinner with vegetarian options

Saturday, April 15th: noon - 3:00 p.m.
Earth Week 2000 Fair: Internship Opportunities, Activism, Vendors and Live Music

Columbia University, Furnald Lawn
(Rain location and time: Columbia Campus, Earl Hall 1:00- 4:00pm)

Saturday, April 15th: 3 p.m.- sunset
A Day at Morningside Park, in association with Friends of Morningside Park

Morningside Park, 110th St. and Morningside Drive (near Columbus Ave)

Bring plastic bags (i.e. Ziplocs or Baggies) for the vegetables & herbs we'll be collecting and drinking water. Digging tools are optional. Dress for the weather. No smoking allowed. Additional information on this event can be found at http://www.bigfoot.com/~wildmansteve

The Columbia Earth Coalition founded in the 1970's, is one of the oldest student organizations on the Columbia campus dedicated to advocacy, education and community building surrounding environmental issues. Earth Coalition existed even before Community Impact, the university's umbrella organization for volunteer organizations. Earth Coalition is dedicated to the protection of the environment through advocacy. The organization strives to education the Columbia community about issues regarding environmental ethics and to promote environmental awareness and enthusiasm on campus and to build effective coalitions with the local, national, and international levels in order to create positive environmental change.