“If we educate ourselves more and more with industry and industry eduates itself more on sustainability, emissions, all that jazz, that’s the only way to bring it together.”
That’s from Teal Randle, who took over as UNBC’s Green Day co-ordinator this year, preparing for the school’s 13th annual event that sets up shop to encourage students towards greener initiatives both personally and across campus.
The 2020 theme is sustainable perspectives, a topic Randle says sends an educational message to everyone in Prince George regardless of industry or sector.
“We have a green university in an industrial town, like, how can those work together?” she said in an interview with PrinceGeorgeMatters following Green Day’s official kick-off this morning (March 3).
“This whole university is funded by forestry and other industries. They have to work together somehow, and a lot of people just blow that off as, like, industry is so separate from sustainability, but I think getting to know different perspectives, listening to your community members and hearing their perspectives, we can come together and really work together with all sides of our community.”
Randle says seeing climate action and environmental improvement from all angles is very important.
“If we educate ourselves more and more with industry and industry eduates itself more on sustainability, emissions, all that jazz, that’s the only way to bring it together,” she added in believing residents and local industries can all do their part in working sustainably.
“Industries have sustainable perspectives, a lot of forestry and energy companies all have small things that they’re doing and if we don’t think it’s enough, then yeah, that’s true. But, as long as we keep educating ourselves, then we’ll get there eventually.”
Green Day is happening right now in the Canfor Winter Garden until 3 p.m. Plant your own tulip/daffodil bulb, make your own lotion or enjoy some sweet baked goods thanks to the UNBC Apiary Club. #ThisIsUNBC #GreenDay2020 pic.twitter.com/vQNZbZ7VpO
— University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) (@UNBC) March 3, 2020
More than 20 local vendors and clubs set up shop at Prince George’s campus for Green Day, specifically ones that promote sustainability through environmentally friendly resources and energy.
UNBC Interim President Dr. Geoff Payne gave a speech for the official kickoff for Green Day 2020, saying the event is also about bringing attention to the ‘unsung heroes’ of campus sustainable initiatives.
“Over the years, UNBC has committed to being a leader in renewable energy through our practice and demonstrating excellence in energy efficiency while providing leadership to our communities and transitioning to renewable energy and resources.”
Randle explained the theme, which came naturally to her during the planning stages in January, is non-specific, meaning it doesn’t limit certain booths from attending the event.
All with the goal of turning Canada’s green university into Canada’s ‘even greener’ university.
“I honestly didn’t think it would be this much,” said Randle.
“I’ve organized smaller events like documentary screenings and stuff through the Students for a Green University Club, but this was a lot more. There’s 21 booths, we’re having all the electric vehicles outside [...] we’re doing a divestment awareness dinner this evening as well.”
That dinner, hosted by Students for a Green University (SGU), is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Northern University Student Centre.
Notable Green Day vendors this year included the City of Prince George’s electric vehicles, the Prince George Fibre Arts Guild, Prince George Air Improvement Roundtable, REAPS, Mackenzie Kerr on behalf of the Green Party of Canada and the Prince George Recycling Club, hosted by Heather Sapergia.
