People involved with Knox Sustainability couldn’t let Earth Day go by without a celebration, and online circumstances didn’t slow them down this year. Here’s a little peek into a video chat that left everybody feeling loved by the Knox community and feeling love for the Earth.

Organized by Director of Sustainability Deborah Steinberg, Earth Day Live brought Knox folks together from many different time zones to celebrate the environment. They videoconferenced on April 22 by calling in from homes, backyards, and porches, sometimes with houseplants within reach. 

The Office of Sustainability works year-round to maintain an on-campus farm, composting and recycling initiatives, a food security network, and other projects. 

Here’s a recap of this year’s Earth Day Live:

Steinberg started things off with a reading of The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. Tina Hope, food systems coordinator for the Office of Sustainability, gave a talk about edible backyard weeds, such as dandelions, chickweed, and violets. Tina was the first of three Hopes to contribute; Associate Professor of Anthropology & Sociology William Hope and Knox student Marina Hope '23 performed a heartwarming musical set together later in the evening.

Ben Farrer, assistant professor of environmental studies, sang two songs—one from the musical Cats and an original composition—and Knox students Isaac Hughes '21, Lily Lauver '21, Fiona Munro '20, and Soleil Smith '20 each read their own writing or read from a favorite environmental text. Sachika Goel '20 took everybody outside for some live sketching (as pictured in the gallery below).

The contributions to Earth Day Live were creative and aimed to share what people can do to acknowledge the environment in their daily lives.

Nearly 30 people attended the online event, often making jokes and offering compliments to one another. As everyone prepared to log off for the evening, people sent messages of their love for each other and their reaffirmed love for the planet.

When Knox people get together, there is a palpable joy and down-to-earthness that comes through—even on a computer screen.