Sustainability Office

Explore Sustainability at the U

TRAX air quality study expands

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This article, originally published in @theu, February 26, 2020, was written by Paul Gabrielsen, Science Writer, University of Utah Communications For more than five years, University of Utah air quality sensors have hitched rides on TRAX light rail trains, scanning air pollution along the train’s Red and Green Lines. Now the study, once a passion […]

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EPA ranks U No. 8 for green power use among universities

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This article, originally published in @theu, February 12, 2020, was written by Kate Whitbeck, Communications Manager, Sustainability Office The Green Power Partnership Top 30 College & University ranking, released Jan. 27, 2020, lists the U as No. 8, with 49% of its energy supplied through geothermal and solar power purchase agreements. The U stands out among those […]

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The Wheels of Winter

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By Ginger Cannon, active transportation manager, Sustainability Office It’s snow season and freezing temperatures are the norm but that doesn’t mean you have to hang up your bike. Salt Lake City’s high elevation helps the snow on our roadways melt quickly, leaving the surface dry and largely ice-free for your winter bike commute. Thirteen percent […]

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Are you up for the challenge?

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The inversions that occur annually in many of Utah’s valleys are a natural outcome of our topography. However, the pollutants emitted into the air aren’t natural. In fact, they are dictated by our decisions and actions. No one wants bad air, but unfortunately our lifestyles and transportation choices add particulate matter to the inversion, resulting […]

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Humans of the U: Piper Christian

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This article was originally published in@theu on November 14, 2019. “At the age of 16, I had the opportunity to travel to Paris during the COP 21 climate accords. As a junior correspondent for a Utah news station, I was tasked with reporting the events of the accords back to my home state. I wanted […]

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A bright idea?

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This article, originally published in @theu on September 6, 2019, was written by Paul Gabrielsen, science writer, University of Utah Communications. For low-income families, paying the energy bill every month can be challenging, as energy bills can account for up to twice the percentage of income as for families with median income. Further, converting to […]

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Does public transit reduce pollution?

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This article, originally published September 6, 2019 in @theu, was written by Paul Gabrielsen, science writer, University of Utah Communications. Public transit has long been an answer for people looking to leave their car at home and reduce their air pollution emissions. But now, with better rider tracking tools, the University of Utah and the […]

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What inspires environmental action?

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This is one in a series of stories about a clean air symposium held at the University of Utah on Oct. 3, 2019. The article was written by University of Utah Communications and published in @theu November 8, 2019. There’s nothing like a crisis to motivate people to change their behaviors. But when it comes […]

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When it comes to air quality, stick with the simple, hard truths

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This is one in a series of stories about a clean air symposium held at the University of Utah on Oct. 3, 2019.The article was written by University of Utah Communications and published in @theu November 13, 2019. Here’s what Keith Bartholomew tells his students: When it comes to Utah’s air pollution, it’s your job […]

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Changing Behavior to Improve the Air

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This article by University of Utah Communications was featured in @theu on November 19, 2019. Sometimes even well-meaning people contribute to air pollution (exhibit A: the majority of attendees at the University of Utah’s “The Air We Breathe” symposium arrived by car). So how do you inspire people to change? Take a look at the […]

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