by Dawn Quirk
Earth Day at Tufts was especially well-celebrated this year thanks to ECO’s week of events leading to April 22nd, culminating with a UEP-sponsored talk by civil rights activist Van Jones. An extremely animated and inspirational speaker, Van best described his Green For All program with the simple and logical point, the idea is to “bring people who desperately need work to work that desperately needs to be done.” Providing green collar jobs for low-income families will allow a restructuring of a green economy while providing jobs for those who most need them. He inspired a hopeful audience as he urged everyone listening to work towards the most extreme social changes imaginable, that this is the time for change. Joining the Tufts students and faculty in the audience was the Green Team, an interactive educational program for high school students and teachers focusing on environmental leadership, advocacy, and community service. Thank you Van for coming to Tufts and showing us what is really is to pursue a vision.