Every year, hundreds of Syracuse University students and Syracuse community members gather in Thornden Park Amphitheater to take part in Earthfest. While this is might be an exciting event, it is important to note the reason it is happening. We live in a world that rarely likes to acknowledge the effects of climate change, let alone the effects it has on our communities. With festivals like Earthfest, we can raise awareness regarding the new environmental initiatives, like Reforming the Energy Vision (REV-NY) and student action to promote sustainability and renewable energy on campus. The speakers will be talking about a variety of topics, not all pertaining to the environment but all with one goal in mind: to get people who can (and want) to make a change to listen.

All the bands, the tabling, the speakers, the yogis, the face painters in the world may not be enough to convince you to care about the environment or how it is slowly deteriorating. Yet, attending Earthfest will already be a step forward. By making an appearance, you are already one step ahead in the process of making a change. With the leadership of New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG), Students of Sustainability (SOS) and Syracuse University Sustainability (SUS), this event was put together with the goal of raising awareness about current environmental issues while having a fun environmentally friendly good time. Yet, do not let Earthfest be the last stop on your way to environmental change. Take in what you learn and what you experience into your everyday life. Compost, recycle, garden, do the bare minimum but do something.

Earthfest is a free, community-wide, sustainability-themed music and art festival celebrating our Earth! This year, Earthfest takes place April 24th from 12 to 6 p.m. It features art installations, local food and craft vendors, community and student organizations, prominent speakers and live bands that help shed light on important environmental issues. NYPIRG, SOS, SUS, Democracy Matters and many other organizations will be present at Earthfest to talk, help you get involved, and just have a good time with you! Earthfest is not just a day for the people; it is an earnest call to save our planet — because we only have one.

Sarah Epelman 
Political Science at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs ‘19