GreenFest: Celebrating sustainability, diversity and SDSU pride

GreenFest, a program of San Diego State University’s Associated Students (A.S.), is organizing various educational and entertainment events for the SDSU community, all centered around promoting three core values: sustainability, diversity and SDSU pride. 

GreenFest’s events aim to raise awareness about environmental issues, emphasize the importance of adopting a sustainable lifestyle and encourage the incorporation of sustainable practices in daily life — all while making the experience enjoyable.

From March 11-15, a diverse range of events — from fashion, cuisine, music, film, business and entrepreneurship opportunities, to name a few — are designed to attract a broad audience to the environmental movement. The primary goal of this year’s theme is to showcase the universality of sustainability concerns. GreenFest extends its invitation to students of all majors, encouraging everyone to join the path toward sustainability.

Izzy Wolf, a senior at SDSU and chair of GreenFest, said that while initially planning to pursue a degree in English, she recognized a growing passion for environmental topics, especially climate crisis. Wolf made the switch, establishing herself as a sustainability major with a minor in English. 

“Sustainability really does start in your own backyard. It starts in your local community. If you would like to make a difference in the climate crisis, the reality is that you should start in your local community, and for us, our local community is this really great campus,” said Wolf.

Wolf is looking forward to the Sustainable Career Fair, an event with more than 41 businesses, organizations and companies that value sustainability. This event will offer a chance for students to network with companies that align with GreenFest’s values.

“And I’m really excited for that one,” said Wolf. “I really want to drive the point that in order to solve the climate crisis, we’re going to need people in every different career. I want to stress the idea that it’s not only going to be sustainability majors and environmental science majors who are going to help the environment in their careers. We’re also gonna need engineers, business, marketing majors…why not work for a business that values sustainability in one way or another?”

That was the case for Janine Ezomo, A.S. student diversity commission designee on GreenFest. The junior political science major actively contributes to the committee and initiative.

“Like for me, a poly major, I have nothing to do with sustainability,” said Ezomo. “You can still be connected to sustainability; you can always find your unique reason to be a part of sustainability, which is one of those things that can change the world. It's the small practices that are going to contribute to the betterment of the world.”

Ezomo found herself drawn to GreenFest after participating in a politics of the environment class. Coincidentally, she began attending GreenFest meetings around the same time she enrolled in the course. 

The closing event of the week is the GreenFest Concert at the Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre. This year’s lineup features Denzel Curry as the headliner and local band Kocean as the student opener. Kocean earned this opportunity to perform through last year's Battle of the Bands event, where student bands competed to be the headliner for the GreenFest concert. 

“The reason for the concert and to have such a big name headlining is to draw more attention to GreenFest and to our other events, all of which showcase sustainability…primarily with the hope that people see our name and become interested in it and then go to check out other events,” said Wolf. “Maybe they are like I had so much fun at the concert. I'd like to know more about GreenFest and then word of mouth increases our attendance to our events and people’s knowledge of our overall mission statement.” 

GreenFest EVENTS

Mind, Body, Soil
11 a.m. to 1 p.m., March 11
Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Discover the Soil-Health Connection: Learn how the health of our soil directly influences our lives, food and environment. Chef Alec will demonstrate soil-friendly recipes and share samples for you to taste. Interactive Activities: Engage in our 'Soil Positivity Future Board,' where you can share your visions for a sustainable future and see how they intertwine with soil conservation. Educational Insights: Gain valuable knowledge on zero-waste practices and effective waste sorting, especially around our catering areas, to embody the principles of sustainability in everyday life.

Discover Your Roots
4 p.m. to 6 p.m., March 11
Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Explore the intersectionality between cultural diversity and sustainability. "Discover Your Roots" is an opportunity for students to connect with their cultural backgrounds, learn from each other, and embrace the ways in which different communities contribute to a sustainable future. Be a part of GreenFest's mission to celebrate diversity and foster a deeper understanding of sustainability through the lens of various cultural viewpoints. Free L&L and Flavors of East Africa will be served.

Sustainable Career Fair
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., March 12
Montezuma Hall, 2nd Floor, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Featuring a diverse array of organizations and companies, the fair is an opportunity to network and discover how different fields are integrating sustainability into their operations and ethos. Whether you're starting your career or looking to direct your professional path toward sustainability, this fair is an opportunity to learn, engage, and find your place in the growing green economy. Join us in shaping a sustainable future, one career choice at a time. All majors are welcome.

Green Lunch Bag Series: Learn how to be a Sustainable Baddie
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., March 13
2nd Floor, conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theatre
Meet Jazmine Rogers, content creator @ThatCurlyTop, entrepreneur, and all-around @SustainableBaddie! Learn about intersectional environmentalism through her fashion and lifestyle journey! Free Plant Power will be served.

Reduce Your  Footprint
2 p.m. to 4 p.m., March 13
Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Take a step toward a more sustainable lifestyle! Learn practical ways to minimize waste, understand the importance of proper recycling and composting and recognize the impact of your daily choices on the environment. Participate in a Carbon Footprint Assessment and learn where you make the biggest impact on the environment. Navigate through the obstacle course and correctly sort recycling, composting and trash for a chance to win prizes!

Film Screening: The Lorax
6 p.m., March 14
2nd Floor, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Theatre
GreenFest is hosting a screening of "The Lorax." Be inspired and join us in reaffirming our commitment to the only planet we have - There is No Planet B. Participants will be served Humming Fish, Truffula Seeds and a Truffula Tree Cupcake during the movie.

Concert Kick Off
6 p.m. to 7 p.m., March 15
Lee and Frank Goldberg Courtyard, Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union Kick-off the GreenFest Concert with music, food and games!

GreenFest Concert
7 p.m., March 15
Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theatre
Celebrate the end of GreenFest with a concert at the Cal Coast OAT. For more information, visit the GreenFest concert page.

Currently enrolled SDSU students can purchase tickets for $5.