Just yesterday, people all around the world celebrated the importance of taking care of our planet. However, Earth Day is more than a day. It is a holistic concept dedicated to inspiring innovative and environmentally-friendly initiatives, and to continuing a global dialogue about how to live and work together in a conscious and sustainable way.

At Ringling College of Art and Design, we strive to develop new generations of environmentally conscious and globally aware artists and designers. Our curriculum in fact is a fusion of studio courses and required liberal arts classes. So often when we discuss art and design education, we focus on the studio courses, but our liberal arts curriculum provides the comprehensive, worldly view for studio coursework. These courses create an awareness and a sense of responsibility by challenging our students to consider the historic, scientific and mindful value behind their work and to inspire new ways of thinking. For example, all of our students are actually required to take a science course to fulfill the liberal arts science component of their education. At Ringling, the courses offered in science are focused on environmental science with the aim of broadening their perspectives and encouraging them to consider the potential impact of their work beyond the classroom. How can they use their creative passion to solve larger, farther reaching issues that can ultimately help protect our precious planet?

An important and timely book, entitled This Spaceship Earth, was published just last year by our Professor of Environmental Science Tim Rumage and the Ringling College Futurist in Residence David Houle. The collaboration examines the role every human being plays in protecting the health of our planet. This dynamic duo argue that we are, in essence, a crew—a crew that has the opportunity to work in tandem toward a common goal of living sustainably. This is but one example of the culture of creative problem-solving and environmental awareness that we strive to instill in our burgeoning creatives.

Yes, the creative community indeed has a power. That is the power to question, to challenge and to flat out doubt the status quo. Furthermore, creative individuals can do something about it. Ringling College students, art and design students worldwide and practicing artists and designers themselves seek out new ways of thinking and then implement effective solutions. They write, build, sculpt, paint, carve and design change. They have the power to see the problem, bring it to light and inspire others to help move the needle.

There’s a beautiful quote by Bruce Mau in This Spaceship Earth:"The fundamental idea of design is to make the world a better place."  May we carry this notion with us beyond Earth Day and into our every day.

Larry Thompson is the president of Ringling College of Art and Design and a board member of the Science and Environmental Council of Southwest Florida.