SFSU celebrates Earth Week with action, optimism and fun

In 2023, Climate HQ — San Francisco State University’s hub for all things climate change — wanted to help better centralize Earth Week events into a campus-wide celebration that was inclusive for all students from all majors, colleges and walks of life. Since that first event, SFSU’s Earth Week has become one of the University’s beloved annual traditions. Earth Week 2025 will be April 21 – April 24, and the event lineup includes returning favorites and some new events. 

“I think our Earth Week has always been a celebration instead of doom and gloom. I think that’s even more important right now,” said Alcides Fuentes, Climate HQ’s program and communication specialist. 

Throughout the year, Climate HQ organizes fellowships, internships, events and more to support students, faculty and staff engagement in climate change and climate justice activities. Most recently, Climate HQ helped lead efforts to incorporate climate justice into SFSU’s graduation requirements. 

One of the popular Earth Week events is the climate and environmental justice job mixer, where students can meet representatives from a variety of organizations offering jobs, internships and advice for those interested in tackling climate issues in different job sectors. This year, there will be over 15 organizations, including prominent groups like Literacy for Environmental Justice, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity and more. 

“It is for the students, but it’s also [created] by the students as well,” Fuentes said, noting that each year the events are refined according to student feedback and interest. Associated Students’ Environmental Resource Center (ERC) is one of Climate HQ’s major collaborators for Earth Week festivities. This year, between Climate HQ and ERC there are five interns dedicated to Earth Week. Each of these students tapped into their own student networks to help tailor festivities for the SFSU community.

A complete list of Earth Week events is available online. A few Earth Week 2025 highlights include: 

Monday, April 21

ERC Flea Market
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Malcom X Plaza
Check out the annual ERC Flea Market featuring all-student vendors. This event is hosted to support local students and uplift small businesses that promote and encourage sustainable practices.

Tuesday, April 22

Climate and Environmental Justice Jobs Mixer
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Malcolm X Plaza
Network and connect with environmental and climate justice organizations, nonprofits and public sector agencies that are actively hiring. Learn about the diversity of climate-related jobs and find internships available for students and soon-to-be graduates.

Outdoors Appreciation Event
Begins at 12:45 p.m., Quad next to Malcolm X Plaza
Though spending time outdoors has been proven to have various physiological and psychological benefits, many Bay Area residents face barriers to accessing green spaces. Bringing these organizations together doesn’t just highlight the importance of getting outside — it empowers students with the resources and inspiration to do so. 

Wednesday, April 23

Meditation for Global Peace and Healing Earth Mother
11:15 a.m. – noon, SFSU lawn
This campus-wide meditation event will focus on global peace and healing Mother Earth.

Networking with outdoor organizations
2:15 – 3 p.m., Jack Adams Hall
Connect with outdoor and environmental organizations dedicated to equity and climate justice that are offering jobs, internships and outdoor summer adventures.

Climate HQ’s Third Annual Earth Week Film Festival, Day 1
4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knuth Hall, Creative Arts
The first evening of this annual film festival will offer a selection of inspiring student films followed by a special screening of the powerful new film “Basandja” (2025), directed by Congolese filmmaker Petna Ndaliko, who will also be in attendance to talk about his film and his activist work.

Thursday, April 24

Don’t Waste, Create: An Upcycling Craft Fair
11 a.m. – 2 p.m., Malcolm X Plaza
Celebrate the endless possibilities of often discarded materials and meet environmental activism organizations and student clubs. Ignite your creativity by making various upcycled crafts, learning about chalk drawing and screen printing, and listening to student speakers and local activists raising awareness about waste and climate issues. 

Donut Litter: Campus Clean-up 
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Mashouf Wellness Center
Take action to keep litter off our campus, out of our waterways and away from the environment and then treat yourself to some donuts. This campus clean-up will be led by SFSU students and RefuseRefuseSF, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization that aims to motivate fellow San Franciscans to take actions needed to clean our streets and beautify our neighborhoods. 

Earth Week art and fix-it party
5 p.m. – 7 p.m., HSS 289 (Map Library)
Join a hands-on sustainability event celebrating creativity and repair. Instead of tossing out worn or damaged items, give them a new life with some DIY magic. Check Climate HQ’s Earth Week schedule for more information about what to bring. 

Climate HQ’s Third Annual Earth Week Film Festival, Day 2
4 p.m. – 7 p.m., Knuth Hall, Creative Arts
Join Climate HQ for a special screening of the feature film “POWERLANDS” (2022) followed by a discussion and audience Q&A with director Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso and producer Jordan Flaherty.

Follow Climate HQ for more Earth Week 2025 updates and climate-related activities year-round.