The second film in a series of joint screenings by Sierra Club’s Michigan Chapter and Grand Valley State University, “Last Call on the Oasis,” a documentary about the global water crisis, will be screened tonight at 7 p.m. at the Loosemore Auditorium on the Pew Campus.

The film examines the critical issue of our dwindling clean water options through stories highlighting water quantity and quality problems.

“Grand Valley joined with the Sierra Club to screen this film because we believe that the water crisis is an extremely important issue that needs to be talked about and brought attention to,” said Yuliya Kuznetsova, public relations chair for the Student Environmental Coalition at GVSU.

The SEC has worked on water issues in the past, particularly with the Students on Tap campaign, which succeeded in getting water filters put into drinking fountains on campus.

In April 2011, Grand Valley was named a “Green College” and listed as one of the country’s most environmentally responsible colleges in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 311 Green Colleges.

The film, which opens nationally May 5, illuminates the vital role water plays in everyone’s lives, exposes the defects in the current system and shows communities already struggling with its ill-effects.

“It is imperative to be environmentally conscious in order to make sure we have a healthy, safe earth for us and our children to live in,” Kuznetsova said. “It is our responsibility as part of the earth to take care of it and live cooperatively with our environment.”

Kuznetsova said that getting educated is the first step in getting involved to raise awareness about clean water.

“Attending this film can broaden a student’s horizon and help students learn about the issue” Kuznetsova said. “Once the student is well educated and aware, then she or he can raise awareness and spread the word.”

Gail Philbin, assistant director of the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, said that the Sierra Club has student groups on campuses around the country, but not at GVSU just yet.

Following the film there will be a Q&A session with Sierra Club Water Sentinel Lynn Henning. To attend the free preview screening you must RSVP to Gail Philbin at [email protected] or 616-805-3063.

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