In support of AQ’s participation in RecycleMania, the Center for Sustainability (C4S) and Students Striving for Sustainability(S3)  present The Story of Stuff,  a 20-minute film that takes viewers on a provocative and eye-opening tour of the real costs of our consumer driven culture—from resource extraction to disposal.

Annie Leonard, an activist who has spent the past 10 years traveling the globe fighting environmental threats, examines the real cost of extraction, production, distribution, consumption and disposal, and she isolates the moment in history where she says the trend of consumption mania began. The Story of Stuff examines how economic policies of the post-World War II era ushered in notions of “planned obsolescence” and “perceived obsolescence” —and how these notions are still driving much of the U.S. and global economies today. Leonard’s inspiration for the film began as a personal musing over the question, “Where does all the stuff we buy come from, and where does it go when we throw it out?” She traveled the world in pursuit of the answer to this seemingly innocent question, and what she found along the way were some very guilty participants and their unfortunate victims.

Colleges and universities have a significant impact on the built and natural environment and are under increasing pressure from governments, students, and community members to carefully mitigate their environmental footprint. This comprehensive symposium features sessions and workshops on smart growth and sustainable practices that serve the economy, the community, and the environment. Topics include institutionalizing sustainability, operational solutions, smart growth and campus planning, and assessment and measurement.

If you watched FOOD INC., you’ll want to know the next steps to improve local food systems. Presented by AQ’s Students Striving for Sustainability (S3) and sponsored by St. Thomas Social Justice Advocacy Group (SJAG) and the West Michigan Co-Op. Project FRESH--the Movie will be shown on April 7th beginning at 7:30pm. In addition, local produce vendors will be in attendance to talk about their businesses and have fresh produce for sale.

FRESH celebrates the farmers, thinkers and business people across America who are re-inventing our food system. Each has witnessed the rapid transformation of our agricultural system into an industrial model, and confronted the consequences: food contamination, environmental pollution, depletion of natural resources, and morbid obesity. Forging healthier, sustainable alternatives, they offer a practical vision for a promising future of our food and our planet.

Among several main characters, FRESH features urban farmer and activist, Will Allen, the recipient of MacArthur’s 2008 Genius Award; sustainable farmer and entrepreneur, Joel Salatin, made famous by Michael Pollan’s book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma; and supermarket owner, David Ball, challenging our Wal-Mart dominated economy.

Join us for a provocative evening and celebrate our local producers!