Annie Leonard, director of the Story of Stuff Project and author of "The Story of Stuff," will be speaking on campus on Nov. 14 as a part of the Kellogg Distinguished Public Lecture Series and the First Year Experience. "The Story of Stuff" discusses our consumer culture, the life cycle of material goods and how these are affecting our planet.
Leonard has spent nearly 20 years travelling the world, investigating environmental health and justice issues, and was named one of Time Magazine's Heroes of the Environment in 2008. She created a 20-minute animated documentary, also titled "The Story of Stuff," which launched in 2007 and quickly become one of the most successful environmental-themed viral videos of all time. The video has now been translated into 15 languages and viewed by more than 12 million people.
Claudia Pinter-Lucke, associate provost for academic affairs, says the talk has appeal for all audiences.
"She brings the idea of environmentalism and sustainability down to a level that everyone can relate to," Pinter-Lucke says. "She talks about what we eat, what we buy, what we use every day."
The talk ties in with Cal Poly Pomona's core values - a commitment to environmental sustainability and a recognition of responsibility to the global community.
Leonard spoke previously on campus in 2010 as part of the First Year Experience. Sep Eskandari, biological sciences professor, says that even those who attended the first talk have a lot to gain by attending.
"When you introduce new ideas, you need a little bit of incubation time for people to absorb just the facts," Eskandari says. "Once those facts come together they lead to a much higher integrative level of understanding. This talk will also be particularly fitting now that we have an increased commitment to sustainability."
Freshmen in the First Year Experience program are reading "The Story of Stuff," and all freshmen, regardless of whether or not they're in the program, are invited to participate in the essay contest. All students who submit an essay will be invited to a reception with the author before her presentation, and the winner will receive a $150 bookstore gift certificate. Details can be found at on the First Year Experience website.
The talk will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14 in the BSC, Ursa Major. It will be followed by a Q&A and book signing at 8 p.m. The event is open to the public, and registration is required. The event is currently sold out, but guests may wait in the stand-by line on the day of the event. For more information, go to the Kellogg Distinguished Public Lecture Series website.