To most ISU students, Earth Day is just another day on the calendar. For others, however, it is an opportunity to spread environmentally conscious messages.

Earth Day, a worldwide celebration to promote environmental awareness, began in 1970 with the hopes of progressive action year-round.

Even with the so-called green revolution under full swing, ISU students find it difficult to make their contribution to the environment.

Eric Ensey, sophomore in liberal arts and sciences-open option, said he sees signs promoting Earth Day but doesn’t pay much attention to them.

“It’s just another day. I think about it for that day, but then I don’t really care,” Ensey said.

Other students would like to see more marketing targeted toward them.

“If it were easier for students, I would totally do it,” said Tiffany Hutchings, freshman in pre-business.

Suggestions from students for an environmentally friendly campus include setting up recycling bins around campus, creating a community trash clean-up day, providing incentives to students for contributing and making students more energy conscious.

Campus cleanup

In honor of Earth Day, Joanne Olson, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, is hosting a trash cleanup day for her students in science teacher education courses. Along with the custodial department, students will collect 100 percent of trash in and around Lagomarcino Hall and see what percent of that waste can be recycled or composted.

“The goal is to take a closer look at waste on campus,” Olson said. “Hopefully, it will bring awareness to ISU students of what they are wasting and if they can prevent some of it.”

Deanne Brill, program coordinator for the Plant Sciences Institute, said she believes garbage on campus is a prevalent issue, and a simple clean-up can be an “easy way to start.”

Memorial Union events

Iowa State is hosting some Earth Day events that are open to all students.

At 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, a four-member forum will discuss ISU energy policy, research and programs on climate change in the South Ball Room of the Memorial Union. The members of the panel will include Warren Madden, vice president for business and finance, Kate Schwennsen, associate dean of the Design College, Gene Takle, interim director of agronomy and of geological and atmospheric sciences, and Pete Englin, director of the department of residence.

“The 11th Hour,” narrated by Leonardo DiCaprio, will be screened at 6 p.m. in the South Ball Room of the Memorial Union.

At 8 p.m., Kerry Emanuel, professor of atmospheric science at MIT, will deliver a lecture titled “Is Global Warming Affecting Hurricanes?”

Events around Ames

Some businesses around Ames are also taking advantage of Earth Day to help spread awareness.

Hy-Vee is holding a two-week long “Small Steps to Going Green” celebration in honor of Earth Day, starting April 22 and ending May 4. The kickoff is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday and will include opportunities for customers to learn “simple steps to preserve the environment,” said Pat Tinder, delicatessen manager at Hy-Vee, 3800 Lincoln Way. The event will include organic food samples and wine tasting.

Other events throughout the week will include a product demonstration by Kalona Organics, a tree giveaway on Arbor Day, a bike rodeo for children and a drawing for free, longer-lasting incandescent bulbs.

Both stores will have tips on going green, buying locally and becoming more environmentally conscious. Alliant Energy will share advice on saving money, the Hy-Vee Garden Center will provide tips on where to plant trees and the Curb It program will offer information on managing waste. Hy-Vee’s Sunday ad contains coupons for a free reusable bag after a $10 purchase, as well as a $5-off coupon for a Nalgene bottle to promote less use of bottled water.

Surprising recycling

Verizon Wireless started a recycling program called HopeLine that not only benefits the environment, but survivors of domestic violence, as well.

Although the program is available year-round, Verizon uses Earth Day to remind people who are thinking of recycling their phones about the program said Karen Smith, spokeswoman for the Verizon Wireless Great Plains Region.

“Many people may not realize their phone can be put to good use. Recycling provides a way to help the environment with proceeds that can also help so many people,” Smith said. “Most people hold onto old phones as a backup but aren’t aware that only 25 percent need to be recycled, the rest can be refurbished and resold. This is an easy way for people to contribute, if they are interested in being green,” Smith said.

Swaptree.com, a Web site that allows users to trade books, CDs, DVDs and video games with other users, is donating $1 to the Sierra Club for every trade made on Earth Day. Swaptree’s goal is to reduce the waste created by throwing away books and old media discs.