Virtual Earth Week Celebration

In honor of Earth Day's 50th anniversary, The University of Miami is hosting its first-ever, virtual Earth Week celebration from April 18 to April 24 and is counting on your participation. Tune in and be part of the week-long celebration that brings together inspirational conversations from the University Community to explore the future of the University and the planet.

To attend a talk or event, you will need to download Zoom, a free remote conferencing platform. When it is time for the event you want to join, click on the link provided below. Most events are free and open to the public. 

For more information about the speakers and panelist, visit the Earth Week panelist page

ONGOING

Letters to the Future - Earth Week

In order to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, University of Miami Professor of Practice Xavier Cortada invites you to write an open letter to a University of Miami student living in 2070 and submit it using the link below.  It will be posted online for the public to read, contemplate and act on. 

Although these letters are written for people not yet born, our true audience is those breathing in the present and, based on their actions, capable of delivering a better future.

• Write an open letter to a student attending the University of Miami in 2070. 
• Tell them who you are (e.g., your name, age, UM affiliation, and where you’re from).
• Tell them what you see (e.g., how our society is responding to environmental degradation and climate change).
• Tell them why you are writing to them (e.g., tell them what you will do to make Earth Day 2070 worth celebrating). 

SATURDAY, APRIL 18

National Water Dance  

Dancers around the country will join together for National Water Dance on April 18th at 4 pm est, streaming live on social media. We are dancing for our lives, reimagining our future through dance, embodying the possibility of what we can achieve when we merge art with political action. In 2020 we are dedicated to inspiring action on climate change through simultaneous, live-streamed dance performances throughout the US. No matter where we are, we can all join together in dance. We invite you to dance with UM Frost School of Music Professor Carol Kaminsky’s students!

Time: 4 p.m.   
Recording of the event available here

MONDAY, APRIL 20

Eco-Eats: Sustainability- Rosenstiel School 

The Eco-Eats series are daily lunch talks from 12-1 pm, each with a different theme, where students and members of the community provide informative talks relating to sustainability-based topics. 

Climate Change and Sustainability, the Opportunity

An intersection of where science meets sustainability and how, as scientists, we can utilize sustainability to bridge the gap between climate and society. Led by Kayla Besong, graduate student, Rosenstiel School, Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Chair of the Sustainability Initiative, Marine Science Graduate Student Organization

Sustainability and Community Awareness

Environmental education and sustainability are increasingly important areas of knowledge for communities. Learning and teaching this information is paramount to maintaining a viable, ecologically friendly society. Led by Rumya Sundaram, UM Ph.D. Student, Department of Marine Ecosystems and Society, Key Biscayne Community Foundation

Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Zoom link can be found here

Debris Free Ocean Zoom Workshop

Local nonprofit, Debris Free Oceans will host a presentation on Plastic Pollution led by Sofia Mesa, UM undergraduate student, incoming Chair of ECO Agency, and Debris Free Oceans Internship Director. The presentation will cover the history of disposable plastics, the qualities that make them durable and a threat to our planet, and tips on living sustainably during this pandemic.

Panelists: Sofia Mesa, Sophomore at the University of Miami, Incoming Chair of the Student Government ECO Board - Bio

Time: 1 – 2 p.m.
Recording of the event available here

Water Conservation Workshop with Miami Dade County - UF Extension 

Our daily water usage has spiked up to 317 million gallons per day in Miami Dade County. This is a very challenging time for our water resources. Come learn about how you can stay safe, stay home and still do your part in addressing water conservation best practices.

Panelist: Barbara McAdam, Urban Horticulture Program Specialist at the Florida Yards & Neighborhoods division of UF/IFAS/Extension Miami Dade County - Bio

Time: 4 p.m.  
Recording of the event available here

Pure Barre Workout

Pure Barre is a low impact, a high-intensity technique that focuses on strengthening and lengthening all major muscle groups of the body. Led by Ashley Cook, Pure Barre, Coral Gables Rosenstiel School Alumna. No equipment needed, mat suggested.

Time: 5 – 6 p.m.
Zoom link can be found here

TUESDAY, APRIL 21

What will be the impacts of COVID-19 on the way we address the Climate crisis?

Panelists will address the emerging complex questions regarding our relationship to the natural world, to wildlife that the COVID-19 pandemic has unveiled. They will try to show how the response to this public health crisis may hold lessons for future responses to the Climate crisis.

Moderator: Jessica Brumley, Vice President for Facilities Operations and Planning
Panelists: Kenneth Broad, Director of the Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy; John Van Leer, Associate Professor in the Department in Ocean Sciences Department of the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science; Gina Maranto, Co-director of the undergraduate program in the College of Arts & Sciences’ Ecosystem Science and Policy Department - Bios

Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Recording of the event available here
 

Eco-Eats: Sustainability- Rosenstiel School 

The Eco-Eats series are daily lunch talks from 12-1 pm, each with a different theme, where students and members of the community provide informative talks relating to sustainability-based topics. 

The Forgotten R: Navigating the Second-Hand Market

Discussion on different ways to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle by reshaping purchasing habits. Led by Giovanni Penagos- Former Florida State Park Ranger (FDEP)

Pros and cons of bicycle commuting in Miami: fitness, health, and sustainability

Presentation on the essential resources for people interested in taking up bicycle commuting as a means of sustainable transportation in Miami, including safety recommendations, route options, bicycle maintenance, and community resources. Led by Michael Connelly, fourth-year graduate student, Rosenstiel School, Department of Marine Biology and Ecology.

Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Zoom link can be found here

COVID-19 and lessons for a Sustainable World

Our panelists will explore the global implications of the COVID-19 pandemic on the United Nations' commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals. This public health crisis forces us to understand the complex synergy between the ecological world, the social fabric, and the globalized economy. Each of the 17 SDGs were designed to create a roadmap to a better world. This roadmap is more relevant than ever and our panelists will tell us why.

Moderator: Teddy Lhoutellier, Sustainability Manager at the University of Miami 
Panelists: Shouraseni Sen Roy, Professor in the Department of Geography and Regional Studies, College of Arts & Sciencesi; Diana Ter-Ghazaryan, Lecturer in the Department of Geography and Regional Studies and Director of the Geospatial Technology Certificate Program at the University of Miami; Justin Stoler, Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Regional Studies and in the Department of Public Health Sciences; Dina Moulioukova, Lecturer of International Studies and Master of Arts in International Administration at the University of Miami - Bios

Time: 1 – 2 p.m.   
Recording of the event available here

Make & Meditate: Creating an earth-friendly, recycled t-shirt tote bag

Have an old t-shirt that doesn't fit anymore, or has some wear and tear, but can't bring yourself to throw it out? Come learn an eco-friendly craft, find a new activity to keep your hands, and talk about dealing with anxiety and other mental health issues while self-isolating. Materials needed: old t-shirt(s), scissors. Led by Sara Purdue, third-year graduate student, Rosenstiel School, Department of Atmospheric Sciences.

Time: 6 p.m.
Zoom link can be found here

Student films on Planetary Health

The short films that will be screened are the works of UM students in Global Issues and Filmmaking- A Transdisciplinary Approach (INS 569/669, CCA 402/602), an innovative course offered jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences Department of International Studies & the School of Communication Department of Cinematic Arts. This course provides an opportunity for students to embrace the complexity of various global challenges by undertaking multi-disciplinary and multi-perspective research and analysis into key issues, policies, and ethical considerations of topics such as climate change, human security, globalization, and rise of nationalism while gaining experience on how to develop short analytical documentary films that are fair, accurate and thought-provoking.

Fall 2019 Professors: Sherri Porcelain (College of Arts and Sciences, Department of International Studies); Ali Habashi (School of Communication, Department of Cinematic Arts); Fall 2020 Professors: Dina Moulioukova (College of Arts and Sciences, Department of International Studies and Master of Arts in International Administration); Ali Habashi (School of Communication, Department of Cinematic Arts).  - Bios

Films and credits:

1. “Aviation Emissions - Who takes the lead?” A film by Mariajose Rodrigues; Angelica Former
2. “Newark Water Crisis - A Balancing Act” A film by Adrian Voysey; Jasmine Butler
3. “Walking the Tightrope - Balancing National Interests in Brazil with Global and Local Planetary Health Concerns” A film by: Ines Cabrezio; Gwen Snyder
4. “The Fight for Freshwater - The Balancing Act of Securing Water for Stakeholders in Florida” A film by Lily Marie Parmanan; Isabella Marta Leroy
5. ”Nature-ly iGEN - Is the tech-savvy youth redefining how we engage with nature” A film by Nathalie Janata; Salim Lemond

Time: 7 p.m.
Recording of the event available here

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

All Day Events 

Art, Public Health, and Climate Change

Whenever Humanity goes through an existential crisis, Art has been the way through which we have been able to cope, understand, heal and bring light to the World. The COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Each of our panelists has been addressing in some fashion the relationship between Art and Public Health, between Art and Climate Change, between Art and its unique way of deepening our connection to Nature.
They will shed their sensible light on those difficult questions.

Moderator: Maha McCain,  Senior Lecturer at the College of Arts and Sciences' Department of Theatre Arts - University of Miami
Panelists: Carol Kaminsky, Senior Lecturer in Dance and Dance Program Coordinator at the Frost School of Music; Jenna Efrein, Senior Lecturer in the Art and Art History Department at College of Arts & Sciences in the glass and sculpture studios; Xavier Cortada, Artist and Professor of Practice of the Department of Art and Art History at the College of Arts & Sciences -  Bios

Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.    
Recording of the event available here

Hug the Lake

The Butler Center for Service and Leadership invites you to enjoy the University of Miami Alma Mater in honor of Lake Osceola and Earth Day. The Alma Mater will  be sung by one of the Frost School of Music’s talented students.

Time: 12:10 p.m. 
Link: @umbutlercenter on Instagram and @William R. Butler Center for Volunteer Service and Leadership Development on Facebook 

Do you have a question related to Climate Change, Sustainable Development, and COVID-19? Ask a UM professor

Between clear, pollution-free skies in Asia, pristine canals in Venice or wildlife roaming in the streets of Denver, social media could lead us to think that the Planet is recovering while we are confining. But is this reflecting the reality of the whole picture? Is social distancing really having an impact on our ecological footprint? Those are the many questions you will have a chance to ask our faculty who have been working on Resilience and Sustainability all their life.

Moderator: Talula Thibault, Student, and Chair of the Student Government ECO Board
Panelists: Esber Andiroglu, Associate Professor of Practice in the Department of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering at the University of Miami; Xavier Cortada, Artist and Professor of Practice, University of Miami Department of Art and Art History; Joanna Lombard, Registered Florida architect and Professor at the University of Miami School of Architecture; Brian Soden, Professor of Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science - Bios

Time: 1:30 – 2:30 p.m.      
Recording of the event available here

Want to learn how to build your own garden? 

COVID-19 has made us acutely aware of the fragility of our globalized system. Many people realize that not relying on massive imports of goods and trying to produce locally might be the best way to prevent hardship. It is also one of the solutions advocated by many to fix our climate crisis. That is especially true regarding the food distribution system. Project Draw Down from Dr. Paul Hawken has listed the solutions to Climate Change. Ranking in the top 20 is urban gardening. In what sense can local, community-based, sustainable, urban gardening can solve both public health and a climate crisis? Learn how to grow your own food in the city, and maybe answer those questions by joining us for a Green Thumb workshop.

Moderator: Teddy Lhoutellier, Sustainability Manager at the University of Miami 
Panelists: Terri Hood, Senior Lecturer in the  College of Arts & Sciences' Department of International Studies and and Co-director of the Ecosystem Science and Policy program; Richard Weisskoff, Professor  and Chair Department of International Studies, College of Arts & Sciences; Kathleen Sullivan Sealey, Associate Professor of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami; Dylan Terry, CEO of Ready to Grow nurseries. - Bios

Time: 5 - 6 p.m.     
Recording of the event available here

Sustainability Panel- Rosenstiel School 

This panel aims to highlight how notable members of our local community define sustainability and use tools such as science, communication, art, and business to facilitate this definition on various scales.

Panelists: Patrick Rynne, CEO, and founder of Waterlust; Rachel Silverstein, Executive Director of Miami Waterkeeper; Reverend Houston Cypress, Board of Directors for Love the Everglades Movement; Victoria Cassar, Artist and Science Communicator; Alison Bauer, Marketing Manager, Hungry Harvest; Nicholas Komisarjevsky; Global Science Communicator for Wave of Change - Initiative from Iberostar Group

Time: 5 - 6 p.m.   
Zoom link can be found here

Earth Day Plant-Based Cook-Off

Show us your cooking skills in the Earth Day Plant-Based Cook-Off hosted by Plant-Based Canes! Post your cooking creations on Instagram using the hashtag #UMplantbasedfortheplanet and tag @plantbasedcanes and @umdining anytime before 6:30 EST on April 22nd to be entered. 

During this time of quarantine, get creative with what you have at home and try something new!  If possible, incorporate leafy greens, legumes, grains, vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats to achieve a well-balanced plant-based meal. The winning dish will be chosen based on creativity, presentation, and use of ingredients-bonus points for a creative name!

The winning dish will be featured on the UM Dining Instagram on April 22nd following an hour-long takeover by Plant-Based Canes from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Tune in to learn all about why choosing plant-based ingredients can benefit the planet!

Time: 6:30-7:30 p.m.  

Movie time for the Earth with Richter Library: Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Sequel"

A decade after AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH brought the climate crisis into the heart of popular culture, comes the riveting and rousing follow - up that shows just how close we are to a real energy revolution. Former Vice President Al Gore continues his tireless fight, traveling around the world training an army of climate champions and influencing international climate policy.

Terri Robar, Librarian and Associate Professor at the University of Miami will introduce the movie and the fabulous resources on Sustainable Development Goals that you can find at the Richter library.

This screening is not open to the public. Please login to Zoom with your miami.edu or umiami.edu email to watch the movie. 

Time: 7:30 p.m.  
Visit Richter Library Sustainable Development Goals resource tool

THURSDAY, APRIL 23

Eco-Eats: Sustainability- Rosenstiel School 

The Eco-Eats series are daily lunch talks from 12-1 pm, each with a different theme, where students and members of the community provide informative talks relating to sustainability-based topics. 

Whose Earth is it? Environmental Justice & Cultural Awareness Workshop

What does racism or classism have to do with your work? What does it mean to be an apolitical or neutral actor within science? Tune in for a conversation on these questions and others, as we chat about the problematic roots of sustainability and our collective role in building a new and more inclusive environmental story together. Led by AJ Hudson – UM Ph.D. Student Abess Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy Ph.D. Student, U-Link Predoctoral Fellow

Intersectional Policymaking as an Upstream Solution to Environmental Injustice

The role of law, science, and policymakers in ensuring a clean and healthy environment for all. Lead by Theresa Pinto, Adjunct Lecturer Ecosystem Science and Policy, UM Law Clerk, Miami Homes for All Lay Advocate, Wage Theft Advocacy Project

Time:12 – 1 p.m.
Zoom link can be found here

Coffee with a 'Cane

Coffee with a ‘Cane is a weekly live-streamed virtual event where ’Canes from around the world can interact with each other. Each week, the coffee break chat is hosted by a different member of our ’Canes community and covers a relevant topic such as nutrition, healthcare, sustainability, sports, and music

On April 23, join us for our Earth Day edition, with Debris Free Oceans Program and Outreach Director, Madeline Kaufman, BSMAS ’16, to learn about how to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The chat will be moderated by Raul Velarde, BSENE '15, MSCE '15, Sustainability Manager for Turner Construction and President of the UM College of Engineering Alumni Association.

Time: 2 p.m.    
Facebook Live: University of Miami Alumni Association Facebook 

U Thrift Zoom Upcycling Workshop

Join Sofia Mesa, the Sustainability Director for UM's free pop-up on-campus thrift swap, UThrift as she leads a Zoom workshop on how to turn old t-shirts into reusable tote bags! The only tools required for this DIY are a pair of scissors and an old t-shirt. If you have access to fabric scissors and measuring tape that is also helpful but not at all necessary! This workshop is also 100% zero waste because the excess scraps from cutting the shirts can be used as reusable cleaning rags.

Time: 3-4 p.m.    
Recording of the event available here

Earth Week Bingo 

Earth Day bingo led by By Kurt Hansen, a fourth-year graduate student, Rosenstiel School, Department of Atmospheric Sciences

Time: 7- 10 p.m.    
Zoom link can be found here

FRIDAY, APRIL 24

Eco-Eats: Sustainability- Rosenstiel School 

The Eco-Eats series are daily lunch talks from 12-1 pm, each with a different theme, where students and members of the community provide informative talks relating to sustainability-based topics. 

Unlocking the most powerful solution against the Climate Crisis

While small individual changes - like recycling, eating less meat and using public transportation can help reduce our carbon footprint, our society's increasing use of greenhouse gases continues to accelerate the Climate Crisis. This presentation will show how putting a price on carbon and returning all the money to citizens is the most effective solution to the problem. Led by Greg Koman, fourth-year graduate student, Rosenstiel School, Department of Meteorology and Physical Oceanography.

The Past is Present: Implications of Miami's history on an Impending Climate Future

Sea level rise is increasing extreme sea-level events, including high-tide and storm-associated floods, which can drive migration and displacement of populations within coastal communities. In order to think through what the future of climate change holds for Miami and its 2.7 million residents, we must first examine its past and its implication on climate resilience policy. Led by Nadia Seeteram, FIU dept. of Earth and Environment

Time: 12 – 1 p.m.
Zoom link can be found here

Arbor Day celebration

The University of Miami -Coral Gables Campus is proud to have been designated “Tree Campus USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 6th year in a row. The new Gifford Arboretum Director, Professor Mauro Galetti, College of Arts & Sciences,  will be hosting this virtual event for all Nature lovers to enjoy. - Bios

Panelists: Dr. Mauro Galetti, Director of the Gifford Arboretum under the College of Arts and Science;  Terri Hood, Senior Lecturer in the  College of Arts & Sciences' Department of International Studies and and Co-director of the Ecosystem Science and Policy program; Dr. Michelle Afkahmi from the Department of Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Miami; Ezra Remer, active member of the Student Government ECO Board and current Gifford Arboretum's Curator.

Time: 1:30 p.m.
Recording of the event available here

RESOURCES