Eco Honesty

Green consumers will feel they're doing Mother Earth proud when they grab their reusable tote bags and drive their hybrid cars to Earth Day events this week. To Derrick Jensen, such celebrations are like singing "Kumbaya" while your house is burning — the flames sure are pretty, but your grandma's still inside. Jensen is an environmental author and activist. His latest book, Endgame, is based on a dire premise: "Civilization is not and can never be sustainable." In his writings, Jensen argues that our industrial society is built on a violent system that exploits all species, including human beings. For all his scary insights, though, Jensen isn't a depressing speaker. He talks passionately about his interactions with wildlife and is more likely to sit on top of a table than preach from behind a lectern. Tonight he presents Ottawa University's Earth Day lecture at 7:30 in the University Chapel (1001 South Cedar in Ottawa, 785-242-5200). The event is free. Derrick Jensen
Fri., April 18, 7:30 p.m., 2008