By Allie Highsmith

This past week, NCCU hosted an event called “GreenFest” which brought together many local artisans and NGOs for the common cause of sustainability, emphasizing such issues as vegan/vegetarianism and using less plastic. The goal of the fair, organized by the NCCU Green24 Club, was to attempt to demonstrate the relationship between plant-based lifestyles and environmental issues, and to increase NCCU students' awareness of plant-based lifestyles by combining plant-based food vendors, NGO’s, and good vibes (NCCU Green24 Club). There were roughly 32 organizations present at the two-day event, such as Taiwan Environmental Information Association (TEIA), Harbor Market, and the No More Cry Bunny Alliance. 

The Taiwan Environmental Information Association was founded in 2001, in response to worsening pollution issues in Taiwan. Their goals are to enhance the distribution of environmental information and promote the environmental charitable trust model; "an environmental trust is a means to entrust natural property privately owned to a civic organization for the purpose of environmental protection and sustainable management" (TEIA 2023). As far as environmental trusts are concerned, the TEIA has three principle tasks: "protecting lowland forest biodiversity, building partnerships with the local community, and operating an environmental learning center for people to get involved" (TEIA 2023). The TEIA members working at GreenFest shared with me their website and that they have a daily newsletter, which can be accessed through their site. 

Harbor Market is an artisan vegan food stand which began as a restaurant based in Nangang three years ago which sells vegan and gluten free snacks and desserts. Anthony, one of the founders, explained that they had originally planned to move locations after their lease was up in Nangang because they didn't like the location, but ultimately realized they preferred the flexibility of being able to do events and sell their goods online. Readers can visit their Instagram account, @harbormarket_, for more information. Anthony explained that they were invited to participate in GreenFest and were happy to accept, as they support practicing a more sustainable lifestyle by limiting the consumption of animal products and use of single-use products. 

▲Harbor Market stand/ Photo credit to Allie Highsmith

The No More Cry Bunny-Kind Beauty Alliance is a group which advocates for the limitation of animal testing in beauty products and was formed in association with the Life Conservationist Association which unites "brands that have cruelty-free (non-animal testing) certification" under one banner (NCCUGreenFest), making it easier for consumers to easily locate recommended products. The two organizers representing the No More Cry Bunny Alliance at GreenFest explained that they wanted to participate because many people are simply unaware of issues of animal testing, and they want to bring greater awareness to these issues by participating in all sorts of events.

▲No More Cry Bunny Alliance stand/ Photo credit to Allie Highsmith

▲No More Cry Bunny Alliance's products/ Photo credit to Allie Highsmith