TUCSON, Ariz. — Earth Day came and went this year, and people were once again reminded of how important it is to keep our planet healthy. More and more people are taking steps to become more environmentally friendly, but do they really care?

At the University of Arizona, numerous events around campus gave students and others in the community a chance to tour the campus, listen to almost 40 brief presentations on environmental research, and attend "Carbon Down Arizona," a block party on University Boulevard.

Earth Day 2009 was put on entirely by students, according to Lesley Ash, Associated Students of the University of Arizona sustainability director and veterinary science senior.

Vendors from all different kinds of eco-friendly companies set up shop as well as a farmers market to talk to people about their services.

However, it didn’t seem as if University Boulevard was as crowded as the student planners had hoped.

One student attended the block party mostly because she wanted to see the weekly farmers market, which was also a part of the day's festivities.

“I came not because of Earth Day, but because I wanted to see the festivities,” said Bethany Lynch, a dance senior.

Chapman Honda, one of the vendors at "Carbon Down Arizona," contracts with local TV and radio personality "Mrs. Green" to work on environmental issues.

“Honda is known worldwide as the greenest car manufacturer in the world,” said Fred Hall, fleet manager of Chapman Tucson.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency the 2009 Honda Civic is the greenest vehicle.

Part of the street was lined with eco-friendly vehicles, which can cost up to $4,000 more than a regular car, according to Hall.

The Campus Sustainability Committee, as well as ASUA Sustainability, had booths set up to educate people about what they can do to be more eco-friendly.

"Carbon Down Arizona" was focused around being more eco-friendly on the campus, but the weekly farmers market also took up half of University Boulevard.

“It’s been cool to come down here and see all the different people selling food,” Lynch said.


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Other companies and nonprofit organizations such as The Solar Store, Aveda Institute Tucson, Paradise Bakery, Allwest Energy, Lovolution, Sky Island Alliance, Supreme Master Television, Tucson-Pima Metropolitan Energy Commission, Vy and Elle, Save the Scenic Santa Ritas and Peace Supplies participated in the block party.

Posada San Pedro Solar Powered was also at the block party, promoting their student club and Posada San Pedro’s efforts to become a green dorm.

“Some people are in it because it’s the new big thing," said Cheryl Blomberg, a chemical engineering freshman, but, she said, "our group specifically is in it through the long haul.”

“If (the trend) is what gets people out there, then that’s half the battle,” Ash said. “If they want to come out here because it’s cool to be green, and that gets them out here but that also causes them to learn and get excited ... then it’s completely worth it.”