Sustainability

GCSC Seminar: Avoiding Maladaptive Outcomes in Response to Climate Change

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Engagement

By Sydney Murray, Sustainability Office Respondings to climate change has entangled social, cultural, political, and environmental implications. Often, when these implications are overlooked or disregarded, researchers, policymakers, and community members face “maladaptive outcomes,” or consequences of adaptation efforts that don’t go to plan and incur negative outcomes. On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Dr. Amanda Bertana, assistant […]

January 24, 2023

Heat People, Not Spaces!

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Engagement

This article was originally written by Kate Whitbeck and published in @theu on Feb. 5, 2020. It was updated in 2023 by Maria Archibald. Want to stay warm this winter while reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions? Consider participating in our program Heat People, Not Spaces! If you are an employee of the University of […]

January 20, 2023

Hope in 2023: A Letter from the Chief Sustainability Officer

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Engagement

For me, every January begins full of hope. A new year. A fresh start. This will be the year we accomplish our goals–the year we change the world! Then, of course, life happens. We break new year’s resolutions, we experience hardship, we endure tragedy. It gets harder to feel hopeful. But hope is a funny […]

January 19, 2023

Winter Biking

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Engagement

Cold Weather Cranking! It’s winter, and many people don’t have bicycling on the mind. But keeping the cranks rolling during the colder months is a great way to stay active and reduce stress during the holidays. Winter bicycling is not just for the hardcore go-getters. Anyone can enjoy winter biking—if you prepare appropriately. How do […]

December 12, 2022

GCSC Seminar: science communication of coral reef observations for past and future sea levels

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Engagement

By Sydney Murray, Sustainability Office Research shows that disseminating scientific information is, in itself, an insufficient way to prompt meaningful dialogue among the general public. Rather, the way in which science is communicated has more of an impact to promote change. For scientific findings to catalyze social change, they must be communicated in accessible and comprehensible […]

November 8, 2022

GCSC Seminar: Conservation and Development at Odds in the African Savanna

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Engagement

By Sydney Murray, Sustainability Office Achievements in human development often come at the expense of the natural environment. From metropolitan expansion to the development of agricultural land for food production, environmental conservation efforts have historically conflicted with human “progress.” Over the past 20-30 years, however, the field of conservation has adopted the idea that conservation […]

October 12, 2022

Let’s Ride! Thanks for joining U Bike Week

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Engagement

The Sustainability Office celebrated our cyclists with another successful U Bike Week this September. Seven events hosted by campus departments encouraged people to ride together. Promotions included coffee shop discounts and social media contests – there was something for every cyclist! Highlights of the week: Volunteers counted over 1,400 bicycles parked at racks or secure […]

October 12, 2022

GCSC Seminar: Social Equity in Green Spaces

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Engagement

By Sydney Murray, Sustainability Office Green spaces—like urban parks, gardens, and trail systems—have a variety of benefits for human health, ecosystems, and economic growth. Studies show that green spaces can help reduce stress levels, mitigate regional and local flooding from storms, and improve air and water quality. However, not everyone has equal access to green […]

September 28, 2022

GCSC Seminar: An Equitable Response to Climate Change

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Engagement

By Sydney Murray, Sustainability Office Higher education sustainability has changed significantly over the last decade. A field that once supported sustainability for the sake of business and profit has since adopted a more holistic model—one that that centers social equity and inclusion alongside environmental and economic concerns. “I’ve been doing this work for twenty years […]

September 16, 2022

SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS INITIATIVE FUND: YEAR IN REVIEW (2021-22)

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Engagement

By Emerson Andrews, Sustainability Office The Sustainable Campus Initiative Fund (SCIF) funded 19 projects during the 2021-22 academic year. The grants totaled $101,128 and the projects covered a wide range of issues, from bird banding to mural making. Project funding is approved by an allocation committee of students, staff, and faculty. SMALL Grants Little Cottonwood […]

September 8, 2022