Environmental groups gathered Monday to celebrate Earth Day and Wisconsin’s role in protecting the environment.
The Earth Day Expo, sponsored by WISPIRG, brought over 20 organizations together, ranging from the Sierra Club to Americorps, to discuss how students and citizens can make a difference in the environment.
The theme of the Earth Day Expo was “Words into Action,” and it highlighted the idea that one person can make a difference.
“You get people together like that and you really see you’re part of a movement,” Brian Bourke, WISPIRG intern said. “It’s really easy to get disconnected and lose focus. You realize other people do care.”
U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, addressed the attendees of the Earth Day Expo and said each individual’s effort is important.
“One of the things so meaningful to me about Earth Day is it really emphasizes the power of one person with the power of another and all working together to join their abilities to change the world and to change the policies we disagree with,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin said it is important to take action and not continue to abuse environmental resources.
“No matter what social, economic or political programs we put forth, all plans we make for our own future won’t matter if we don’t have a safe and clean environment in which to live,” Baldwin said. “I believe now more than ever this nation is at a crossroads regarding the environment. I still remain quite optimistic, because we really do have the ability to make better earth friendly choices today.”
Many activist groups were excited about having the chance to get the word out about their campaigns.
“Instead of saying this is what’s wrong with the world, we’re bringing out ideas to help improve it,” said Sarah Langford, UW-Greens member.
The Center of Wisconsin Strategy, a non-partisan group affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, has several campaigns relevant to Wisconsin residents such as the environment, campaign reform and labor issues, a spokesman said.
The group provides information and education to voters and interested parties around the state.
“People are very happy to see the university is taking [its] knowledge and bringing it out to the state to help the citizens,” Brian Gumm, policy analyst for COWS said.
The events of the Expo moved into the Union due to cold weather, but spirits were not dampened as music from bluegrass bands and DJs filled Great Hall, giving the event a celebratory atmosphere.
Earth Day events are not restricted to just one day. Rather, they are being spread throughout the entire month of April and into May.
An Earth Week concert with Dana Lyons and Vicki Guzman will be held Thursday.
Talks to be held later this month and through May include: “Permaculture Agroforestry” and “Trading Wilderness.”
Critical Mass, in a demonstration against motorized transportation, will be reclaiming the streets with costumes and human powered transportation on Friday.