From the Office of Sustainability |
Sometimes it feels pretty grim out there, particularly when climate change is accelerating and seemingly outpacing the policy development needed to stop it. Yet alongside these doom loops, somewhat counter-intuitively, progress is happening including the transition away from fossil fuels to clean, greenhouse-gas-emissions-free energy. The change is already underway and is accelerating every day! This transition has become an enormous, sprawling meta-story. It spans the entire economy, from heavy industry to tech to retail. It’s unfolding at every level of government, from local zoning boards to the federal government to international treaties. It involves technology, politics, policy, psychology, even philosophy. There’s so much to track and dozens of ways to get involved.
Within all this complexity, we need voices that help cut through the noise. Nobody brings clarity to this multiplicity as well as David Roberts at Volts, a twice-weekly podcast, substack, and community “focused on the technology, politics, and policy of decarbonization.” Roberts follows the news, reads the trade publications and research reports, talks to the engineers and policy staffers, and thinks hard about the larger political and social context. He sifts through the flotsam for what matters and then goes deep on it. It’s inspiring. Volts listeners have changed their majors, sponsored legislation, or integrated Volts into their syllabi.
Now all University of Oregon faculty, staff, and students can get full access to Volts through an institutional membership sponsored by the Office of Sustainability. Signing up is easy. Complete this short form and allow 5-7 business days for processing. Once you are signed up, you’ll receive new Volts episodes (in your inbox and/or wherever you get your podcasts) and have access to their back catalogue.
Curious about Volts before signing up? These are some favorites from UO’s Director of Sustainability and of Utilities and Energy, Steve Mital:
- What’s the deal with Perovskite Solar?
- Electrolize Everything!
- Are Markets the Right Tool for Decarbonizing?
- What’s Up with Electric Aviation?
Happy Listening!
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Changes at the Office of Sustainability
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Sarah Stoeckl has been promoted to Associate Director! This change reflects the taking on of additional responsibilities as a result of Director Steve Mital’s promotion to have leadership over both the Office of Sustainability and Utilities and Energy. Congratulations, Sarah!
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Mark your calendars for the Fall 2024 Sustainability Open House on Wednesday, November 20th from 2:00-3:30pm in the EMU, Room 119 (Diamond Lake Room)! This time, we're all about hearing your ideas for future events—whether it's new topics, fun ways to engage, or fresh formats. It’s the perfect opportunity to help shape what’s next while connecting with sustainability-minded folks around campus. Refreshments will be provided.
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WRNA work ramping up this fall
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The summer season is ending, but the work at the WNRA is only beginning to ramp up! Sustainability Associates Ifeoma Odogwu and Andrew Leider presented on the culmination of their summer work with Natural Areas Steward Emily Hamblen, which included extensive invasive species mapping and removal, social media networking, informatics, and budget analysis. Their work was instrumental in kickstarting the WRNA’s 5-year Action Plan and getting prepared for future efforts. The upcoming fall season is buzzing with anticipation, as several events, projects, classes, and volunteering opportunities are lined up and will contribute to the WRNA’s ongoing mission of restoration, engagement, and research. Use the QR code below to follow the WRNA Instagram and to stay up to date on the happenings this fall.
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Green Office orientation October 23rd
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The Green Office orientation marks the beginning of the 2024-25 program, an initiative designed to empower campus offices to enhance their sustainable practices through the completion of a scorecard. Join the orientation on Wednesday, October 23rd, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. in the EMU Gumwood Room, with lunch provided. The cost is $10/person, to be covered by your department. Office representatives will gain insights into each scorecard category, learn the timeline for completion, and have the chance to ask questions. Up to two members from each office can attend, but only one needs to complete the sign-up form. Sign up by Monday, October 7th.
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Sustainability campus tours are back
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Curious about how UO's campus is leading the charge in sustainability? Join a campus sustainability tour. Our first tour of the year will be on Wednesday, October 16, from 10:00-11:00am. Limited to just 20 guests, these tours are designed for prospective students and their families, as well as any in our community who want to learn more about sustainability at the university. Sign up using the button below.
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ARC students join UO community
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Fall is in swing, and students have returned to campus! This includes the Office of Sustainability and University Housing welcoming the Environmental Leaders Academic Residential Community (ARC), a living-learning community for first-year students who want to make a difference for a just and sustainable world. These students begin their time as Ducks with an orientation camping experience led by former ARC students. For a couple examples of what they did this year, the Willamette Wanderings group learned about the Willamette River Natural Area from campus Natural Areas Steward Emily Hamblen and helped with placing some ground cover in preparation for fall. The Coast Conscious group took some volleyball downtime on their visit to the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology. They wrapped up their experience volunteering to support recycling during the biggest days of campus move-in. Welcome to the Environmental Leaders and all UO students!
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The Sustainable Labs pilot is here
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The Sustainable Labs pilot officially launched on October 1st with three labs on campus taking part. This exciting program introduces a modular badge system, where labs can earn recognition and rewards for making sustainable changes, without needing to follow a set order for completion. The current focus is on waste management and energy consumption, identified as key priorities by our working group. Stay tuned for updates and visit the Sustainable Labs webpage to learn more!
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UO recognized as an AASHE top performer
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Each year, the Associate for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), nominates top performers from the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) for inclusion in their Sustainable Campus Index. This year, University of Oregon was recognized as a top performer in the Coordination and Planning category, which reflects UO’s strengths in this area. Of particular note was the expansive and complex process of learning, engaging, and gathering feedback on options to transition campus heating away from natural gas undertaken by the Thermal Transition Taskforce. The result of that work was a formal recommendation to UO’s President Karl Scholz and the Board of Trustees. Congrats to all of the campuses recognized in the report! Check out the full Sustainable Campus Index using the button below.
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What happens to yard debris on campus?
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This month one user asked: “What happens to yard debris on campus?” Yard debris or “green waste” includes plant matter, such as fallen limbs, grass cuttings, and hedge trimmings. All yard debris at UO is managed by one of our Landscaping teams. Some plant matter, such as leaves, is often left in place to mulch and replenish the soil. You may also see “nurse logs” left in place, such as on the south grounds of Unthank Hall. Other plant matter is collected and ground up to compost in an aerobic “hot pile” (aerobic, meaning decomposition with oxygen using bacteria to break down the plant matter). The hot pile compost is reused around campus. If you live off campus, the Oregon State University Extension Service offers a master gardener program with advice on yard waste composting.
The waste corner is inspired by your questions to the sustainability hotline. Text us your questions or a picture of an item you are uncertain what to do with to 541-999-4173.
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What’s up with UO’s greenhouse gas emissions?
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UO’s Sustainability Data Dashboard has been updated with the newest available data on campus greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These emissions contribute to global warming and measuring them supports campus researchers, decision makers, and advocates in understanding our emission sources. The newest data highlights the impact of the pandemic on our GHG emissions, and a new graphic also situates UO within the larger institutional landscape of Oregon. We welcome students and researchers to dig in and play with this data on the dashboard.
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Give feedback on campus cycling experience
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Help improve cycling on campus by taking the survey below! UO is a Gold-Level Bicycle Friendly University—your anonymous feedback will help maintain and improve the campus cycling experience.
The survey will close on Thursday, October 10th at 11:59pm PT.
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UO Surplus has Fall term hours |
Open Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday from 3-5:30pm
Location: Romania Warehouse (2020 Franklin Blvd)
Surplus constantly receives new items. New additions include incubators, a centrifuge, and rubber exercise matting! Common items regularly in stock are tables, chairs, file cabinets, and buckets. These items are free for department reuse on campus or to non-profits. Anyone can buy them at public sales. Tell your friends and neighbors about the good deals at UO Surplus!
Check out all our items, come down to the warehouse! If you want a new “roll” in your office, keep an eye out at surplus for fancy chairs!
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Other events and opportunities in October |
Have a story for the newsletter? Email your idea to Katie Lucca (klucca@uoregon.edu).
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