According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States constitutes 5 percent of the world's population but uses 25 percent of its natural resources.
With Earth Day approaching on April 22, Ball State University students can begin increasing their awareness of U.S. involvement in environmental issues and learn ways they can protect the global environment as soon as tomorrow.
The second annual Earth Stock concert will make its way onto the LaFollette Concourse Saturday from noon to 9 p.m. The concert is held to increase environmental awareness on campus and is sponsored by Knotts/Edwards and Brayton/Clevenger halls, Residence Hall Association and Student Government Association.
"If nothing is done now, our problems will become harder to fix," Ethan Miller, sophomore Knotts/Edwards hall council president, said. "We need to take a more proactive stance with environmental issues if we want to see any progress."
Admission for the event is free, but donations will be accepted to raise the necessary $150 to plant a shade tree in North Quad, Miller said.
The event was originally planned to be at LaFollette Field but was moved because of forecasts for poor weather, he said.
"We're trying to make [Earth Stock] more campus-wide," he said. "Something everyone can come to enjoy and just relax."
Environmental facts and tips on how students can be more environmentally responsible will be read onstage as a tie-in to Earth Day, he said.
Junior Brittany Kusserow, a self-proclaimed "pseudo-hippy folk chick," performed at Earth Stock last year and plans to perform a 45-minute set of original songs at this year's concert.
Kusserow said we can start by breaking old habits and starting new ones, like riding a bike on a nice day instead of driving.
"It's pretty clear what a negative impact our country has had on global environmental issues," she said.
Junior Ciera Walton attended Earth Stock last year and plans to attend again this year. She said she isn't as educated on environmental issues as she'd like to be, and attending Earth Stock is a way for her to give support and be a role model for others and help the environment.
"I believe our country, more so than any other countries, has taken advantage of what our planet has to offer and if we don't start conserving and reusing, there will be nothing left," she said.
Walton said she does the "everyday basics," such as recycling, turning off lights in unoccupied rooms and advocating others to do the same, as well as participating in service projects through NRHH, her residence hall and others around the Muncie community.
"If we take pride in everything else we own, like our cars, our houses, our cell phones, then why not our environment?" she said. "It deserves just as much, if not more attention and care, especially because it's something we all share."
If you goEarth ShockSponsored by Knotts/Edwards and Brayton/Clevenger halls, Residence Hall Association and Student Government Association.- WHEN: Noon Saturday- WHERE: LaFollette Concourse
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