USC goes virtual for Earth Day with lineup of online sustainability activities

Many beaches and trails might be closed, but Trojans can still revel in the natural world through USC’s online Earth Day festivities starting Wednesday.

Anyone with a computer, smartphone or tablet can register for virtual interactive forums, panel discussions, a career fair and even a special sustainability-themed meditation session using Zoom and other video technology.

“Although we can’t gather in person to celebrate, our students, faculty and staff can join the USC Office of Sustainability and our partners to observe the 50th anniversary of Earth Day with virtual activities and online resources,” said Ellen Dux, associate director at the USC Office of Sustainability. “We’ll be talking about the causes of climate change, what USC is doing to be more sustainable and a lot more.”

See the event lineup on USC’s sustainability website. Here are a few highlights from the coming week:

Online Earth Day celebration features science, sustainability and socializing

Earth Day #50 — What’s Earth Telling Us?
Wednesday, April 22, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Faculty experts from the USC Price School of Public Policy and USC Rossier School of Education discuss the causes of the climate change crisis, solutions to the disruption and USC’s sustainability efforts. Watch the event live on Facebook.

Spring Sustainability Forum
Wednesday, April 22, 3 to 5 p.m.
Sustainability-minded Trojans gather for an informal talk about the university’s sustainability goals, progress and challenges. At 4:30 p.m., participants unwind with an Earth Day meditation session, led by Mindful USC.

Spring Career Fair, featuring Green Employers
Thursday, April 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This virtual career fair held by the USC Career Center gives students an opportunity to meet and network with employers in Southern California and across the country, including companies with a sustainability focus.

USC Student Sustainability Innovators Panel
Thursday, April 23, 3 to 4 p.m.
Current USC students and recent graduates describe their efforts to create sustainability-focused and environmentally responsible companies.

City Nature Challenge X USC
Friday, April 24, to Monday, April 27
USC joins a global effort to document biodiversity in our natural surroundings using a community science application called iNaturalist.

USC joins other organizations worldwide to celebrate Earth Day online

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, USC is among many organizations across the world that shifted their Earth Day festivities online. The university joins other groups this month to share sustainability knowledge, discuss solutions to climate change and host political demonstrations.

USC students, instructors and staff members can learn more about ways to protect the planet from the Earth Day Network. They can take the Earth Day 50th anniversary challenge with 50 sustainable actions like upcycling old household items or reducing time spent in the shower.

Many other Earth Day activities are available through the end of the month. For a full list, including archived recordings of discussions, visit the USC Office of Sustainability’s events page.