DeKalb | The inaugural Earth Week will be offering a selection of environmentally-focused activities from today to Saturday.

Fifteen organizations have come together to coordinate the week, which was proposed by Stuart Nissenbaum, Student Association director of Environmental Affairs. Planning began on April 3 during a meeting dedicated to Earth Week.

“What this week is really doing is hitting every aspect of environmentalism,” Nissenbaum said. “This is supposed to bring attention and change the culture here at NIU.”

For a full list of Earth Week events, go to bit.ly/20NSSVA.

Today

The Anthropology Club will be screening “Indigenous Voices on Climate Change,” a collection of short documentaries that focus on the global impact of climate change.

The film highlights the impact of climate change on more vulnerable cultures, such as more powerful natural disasters and rising sea levels, Nissenbaum said.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in DuSable Hall, Room 206.

Tuesday

The Committee for the Preservation of Wildlife will be working with Incredible Bats, an organization from the Chicagoland area that focuses on the conservation of bats, to hold the Live Bat Show.

The multimedia presentation will feature live Egyptian and African straw-colored fruit bats. Bat boxes, which can be used to offer homes to local bats, will also be on sale.

Bats are being featured due to their endangerment, a threat to humans because they are pollinators who also help to reduce the insect population, Nissenbaum said.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. in Montgomery Hall, Montgomery Auditorium.

Wednesday

Supporting Opportunities for Latinos; Sustainability, Environment and Recycling Management Association and the SA will be holding an #OurHealthMatters panel discussion, which will focus on environmental racism and justice.

Environmental racism is the disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color.

Three students and two faculty members will be on the panel. They will discuss instances of environmental racism, such as the contaminated waters of Flint, Mich.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. in Cole Hall, Room 100.

Thursday

Communiversity Gardens will be holding the Garden Prep Party, which will engage students in preparing the garden for planting season.

The Vegetarian Education Group will be at the event holding a vegetarian potluck and promoting the idea that meat has a large ecological footprint, Nissenbaum said.

The event is intended to provide information about the benefits of locally grown food, which include preventing food deserts and providing fresh food to low-income communities, Nissenbaum said.

The event is at 4 p.m. in Anderson Hall, Communiversity Gardens.

Friday

Green Paws Environmental Alliance will be holding the third annual Green Bash, which will feature food, live music, games, local vendors and information about environmental problems and solutions.

The event aims to advocate for an environmentally-friendly lifestyle, Nissenbaum said.

The event is at 10 a.m. in the Martin Luther King Jr. Commons.