News Releases

There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth.  We are all crew  - Marshall McLuhan

By Chantal Moore

Student, Environmental Science

‌It is not always easy being green, that why Saint Mary’s University is calling on students, faculty, staff and the entire University community to come aboard! We invite you to join us in celebrating Sustainability Week 2013, March 11 - 14.

The Sustainability Week calendar of events for 2013.

 On Monday, March 11, SMUdent of the Year Competition 2013 event will take place at the Gorsebrook from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. This event is open to all SMU students willing to compete for the title! Do you have what it takes?  A sustainability trivia match, a timed sorting competition, and a recycled- goods fashion show will decide! Come out for a good time and compete. Prizes will be given away including a brand new bike! If you are interested in being a contestant please email smues@smu.ca.

 On Tuesday, March 12, Minds on Mining event will take place in the Scotiabank Theatre from 7 p.m.- 9 p.m. Listen as some of Halifax's brightest minds share their perspectives on the mining industry and it's impacts on the environment. Local refreshments will be served!

On Wednesday, March 13, a Sustainability Expo will take place in the in the Student Centre Building from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.. This event will provide an opportunity for the Saint Mary’s community to explore showcases from various organizations and businesses and to learn about their role in promoting and actively working towards sustainability. Confirmed participants so far include:

• HRM Alliance working with the EAC
• SMU Garden Society
• SMU Environmental Society
• Recycling Facility
• Common Roots Urban Farm (Community Garden by QEII)
• Farmworks
• Enactus
• Anti-Bottled Water Campaign
• Dump and Run

In the evening, the public is invited to campus for a Sustainability lecture series co-sponsored by Bullfrog Power. Sustainability in Action will feature presentations by three Saint Mary’s alumni detailing how they have made sustainability a key feature of their business. Richard MacLellan BComm’95, Manager, Energy and Environment at Halifax Regional Municipality, Glen Bowie BComm’90, Director of Sales and Marketing, Westin Hotel Nova Scotia and Karen Miner, Managing Director Co-operative Management Education, Sobey School of Business.

On Thursday March 14, The Good News on the Environment event will take place in the Scotiabank Theatre from 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Students will hear how their professors and other University researchers are helping change the world through their sustainability research efforts.

The week wraps up in the evening  with  the University’s first  PechaKucha : “Organically Speaking…” event, , 7 p.m. -9:30 p.m. in the 4th floor Executive Lounge of the Sobeys School of Business (Room 422).

PechaKucha is a Japanese term for “Chit Chat” and consists of worldwide creative speaking events originally started in Japan! PechaKucha events are global, informal and fun gatherings that aim to bring creative people together. This event is a series of quick-fire, visual presentations a multitude of speakers. The official 20x20 PechaKucha format is 20 images with each shown for 20 seconds. This makes it 6 minutes and 40 seconds per presenter. Please join us in supporting this creative global community. All are welcome. Cash bar and local refreshments will be served.