Green Wednesdays perfect for movie buffs with an environmental side

By Catherine Thompson
[contributor]

If you think environmentally-conscious get-togethers involve incense burning, organic hors d’ouerves and tree-hugging, then you have yet to attend one of Kwantlen’s Green Wednesdays. The event, held the second Wednesday of every month at Langley campus, features an eco-themed movie which is then followed up by yummy treats and sometimes discussion. The event begins at 7:00 p.m., with doors opening at 6:30 p.m., Green Wednesdays are free but donations are encouraged to offset the cost of the delicious baked goods.

“[Green Wednesdays] was born out of a pilot I ran some time ago called The Environment Around Us, a short series of three public lectures here at Langley,” says Gary Jones, regarding the event’s beginnings.“Around that same time I was approached by the Green Ideas Network who had been running environmental themed movies in Surrey, but was looking for a new venue in Langley area. Hey, presto; Green Wednesdays were born and we started the idea of informal movie nights for the public, and a couple of sponsors got on board.”

Admittedly, I am a Green Wednesdays fan girl and, with bated breath, I eagerly await each event as a chance to get informed and rub shoulders with the environmentally enlightened.

If you’re not a horticulture, geography or environmental studies student, or you aren’t one to passionately pursue pottery or lust after logistics in your spare time, that’s fine, you are still welcome to join the group. Especially if you think a hoe is something other than a gardening tool and you don’t fear mockery or scornful disapproval, then you should definitely come out and learn a thing or two. Gary Jones, Green Wednesdays’ coordinator, welcomes all, noting that, “events are open to everyone, not just students.”

Even if you’re more of the volunteering type, or if Green Wednesdays conflicts with that Biochem class, you can still lend a hand by putting up posters around campus, or by setting up the room beforehand.

Jones says that there are many benefits of attending Green Wednesdays: “[Learning] about environmental issues, [connecting] with like-minded others and [being] part of the wider community.” His final remark being most tempting to any student on a shoe string-budget is, “Win great door prizes! Have a free night out in a nice warm room, watching great movies.” And as for Jones’ favorite Green Wednesday so far, “Always the next one…”

The upcoming Green Wednesday is Feb. 9, and will be showing the film Chemercial. Come for the environmental education, snacks and good company or, at very least, to demolish any stereotypes of eco-friendly gatherings.  Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and donations are appreciated for the yummy food.

It’s not all about Birkenstocks and bean sprouts, my friend.