The Potomac Highlands Dispatch - the online newspaper

Earth Week
Film to show effects
of natural gas drilling
Event kicks off week-long recognition

For The Potomac Highlands Dispatch
CUMBERLAND, April 19 -- Allegany College of Maryland’s Peace Studies Club has planned a week of activities to recognize Earth Day, starting Monday, April 25, with a showing of “Split Estate,” a film about the effects of natural gas drilling on a community and its people.

The Emmy Award-winning documentary focuses on the impact of shale-gas exploration by hydraulic fracturing in Garfield County, Colo. Filmmaker Debra Anderson, along with her two researchers, won her award in a news and documentary category of the Emmys for 2010.

“Split Estate,” which derives its name from split-deed ownership of surface and mineral rights, will be shown from 7 to 9 p.m. in the College Center Theatre. Discussion of the film and the hot-button issue of “fracking,” as the drilling method is commonly known, will follow. Admission is free and open to the public.

The club will screen a second documentary, “The Story of Stuff,” at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, also in the College Theatre. The film raises the true costs of goods production, especially the effects on the environment.

Before the session concludes at 2 p.m. the audience will be asked to make one commitment to reduce their carbon footprint and lessen their impact on the climate. These ”do-one-thing” pledges will be written and posted in the College Center to underscore the collective action being taken. This event also is free and open to the public.

Club members will present information in classrooms on the contribution that recycling can make to the environment and how individuals can do their part. These recycling awareness activities will take place Wednesday, April 27.

The club is issuing a “Car Pool Challenge” on Thursday, April 28, when it asks students and faculty and staff members to team up to reduce the number of vehicles on the road and miles driven.

Participants will be asked to record their activity so that the club can calculate the social and environmental contributions being made. Members are hoping that friendly competition between student and employee groups will emerge. The club also encourages individuals in the larger community to buddy-up and ride-share this day.

The Peace Studies Club will close out its Earth Week observation with a campus beautification project on Friday, April 29. For more information call Kurt Hoffman, Peace Studies Club faculty advisor, at 301-784-5113.