Raising awareness of environmental issues from ecofeminism to temperate rain forests, the Student Environmental Council is hosting a number of events today through Thursday to celebrate Earth Week.

“We’re hoping to provide a forum for awareness and discussion of very important environmental issues that face all of us,” said Mark Pitula, member of SEC. “We want this to be a celebration to energize and motivate people — to change the world for the better.”

Pitula, senior in environmental science and Spanish, said this week is the 30th anniversary of Earth Day, which began April 22, 1970.

“That date is a critical turning point for contemporary environmentalists who brought awareness and changed people’s mindset on how to relate to nature,” he said.

Pitula said much has been accomplished since then, but there’s still a lot to be done, which makes it important to celebrate Earth Day.

Ecofeminist Chaia Heller will be speaking at noon today in the Gallery of the Memorial Union in a presentation titled, “Ecofeminism 2000: Creating New Ecofeminist Politics.”

Pitula said ecofeminism, which is a branch of radical feminist studies, makes the connection between ecological destruction and oppression of women.

“Both of these issues go hand in hand,” Pitula said. “It is important to recognize the role of women in social-change movements because women have made major contributions but have not been recognized.”

Heller also will be providing an introduction to international ecofeminism and theoretical orientation that cuts across race, class and national boundaries, Pitula said.

Later that evening, Dave “Sky” Danstrom will be speaking about temperate rain forests at 7 in the Oak Room of the Memorial Union, and on Wednesday, Rachel Hein, senior in graphic design, will be leading a presentation and discussion on overpopulation at 7 p.m. in the Oak Room.

Kelly Wilkening, co-president of SEC, said Hein will be presenting an open discussion on overpopulation issues that are a burden in society.

“A big topic occurring right now is the overpopulation in countries such as Asia and Africa,” said Wilkening, senior in hotel and restaurant management. “The issue becomes a problem with how many people can the Earth hold without depleting resources. What’s happening is that we’re using them faster than they can be renewed.”

SEC will then feature its main event to wrap up Earth Week.

From 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, SEC will be hosting EarthFest, a concert featuring Medulla Oblongata, Norman Stagger Band and Sangha in Brookside Park.

“Basically, this is one day of the year to let people know about the realities going on around the world — a reminder to those about the harmful things going on and a push to get people involved,” Wilkening said.

Many clubs have been invited to come and have eco-friendly booths, such as the Vegetarian Club and NORML (National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws), Wilkening said.

All events are free and open for anyone to attend. SEC is always accepting members and anyone who has an interest in joining can contact Wilkening at [email protected].