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PBSL Pod

The Planet Blue Student Leader Podcast is back for a second season! Tune in on Spotify to hear from Armaan Patel, Jessica Middleton, Meera Kumar, Jade Whittaker-Mitts, and Cameron Wilson as they discuss local and global environmental issues and implications here on campus. The first episode of Season 2 is all about student engagement in sustainability and the groups on campus advocating for and working toward big changes.

Carbon Neutrality Updates

Last month, U-M President Schlissel commented on the recent IPCC report and U-M’s new carbon neutrality commitment. As Planet Blue Ambassadors, you know what’s at stake when it comes to the climate crisis, but this article provides a helpful summary of the work going on across campus to address climate change and reduce the impact of our operations, discontinue investments in fossil fuels, and educate and engage our campus community on this important issue. 

Sustainable Period Products

If you menstruate and you're interested in spending less money and producing less waste on account of your period, check out our recent blog post about sustainable period products and their availability (for FREE!) at the Maize & Blue Cupboard and University Health Service. 

Movie Review: The Lorax

Background photo by GR Stocks of UnsplashCheck out the latest blog post from Planet Blue Student Leader Olivia Woodring. She re-watched a favorite movie (The Lorax) and shared her thoughts and reflections. If you haven’t seen the film, it’s on Netflix or available for rent from the Shapiro and Ann Arbor District Libraries.

CSG Airbus

If you plan to fly out of DTW for Fall Break or Thanksgiving, take the CSG Airbus to save money and carbon emissions! The Airbus will be available for rides from Ann Arbor to the Detroit Airport ($9) and from the Detroit Airport to Ann Arbor ($11). Check out the Airbus Website for specific information on run times and how to sign up!

Sustainability Honors Cord

Background photo by GR Stocks of UnsplashThe deadline for December graduates to apply for the Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cord is coming up! Click here to learn more and apply for the graduation cord that recognizes students who go above and beyond to advance their knowledge, skills, and practice of sustainability ethics while studying at U-M.

Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment

The largest gift in SEAS' history was announced last week! The funding will establish the Tishman Center for Social Justice and the Environment and will help enable SEAS and U-M to expand the scope of environmental justice programs and integrate environmental justice more effectively into all solutions for the planet. Learn more.

GET INVOLVED

U-M Earth Fest '21

Campus Farm Volunteer Day

Join the PBA program on October 24 from 10am to 1pm for a volunteer day at the U-M Campus Farm. Volunteers will help with weeding, planting, harvesting, and more. Lunch and a tour of the farm will be provided. Ambassadors from the Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor campuses are welcome. Due to limited space, priority will be given to people who have not yet visited the Farm. Register here.

Sustainability Project Incubator Workshop

On Thursday, October 21, from 6 to 7pm, in 2336 Mason Hall, the Student Sustainability Coalition will host a workshop to help U-M students generate ideas for potential sustainability-related projects on campus. The goal is to identify key opportunities, brainstorm project ideas, and lay the groundwork for projects, which could receive funding from SSC’s grant programs down the road! Register here.

Peter M. Wege Lecture

Each year the Center for Sustainable Systems at SEAS invites an internationally recognized expert to deliver the Peter M. Wege Lecture on Sustainability. This year, that expert is Gina McCarthy, the country's first National Climate Advisor. Having also served as the 13th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and then as President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, McCarthy is one of the nation's most trusted and accomplished voices on climate. This virtual event will take place on October 14 from noon to 1pm. Learn more and reserve your free seat here.

Office Supply Garage “Sale”

The Office of Campus Sustainability and Property Disposition have collected gently used but no longer needed office supplies from U-M departments and will make them available for free at their Garage “Sale” for U-M departments and local non-profits on October 21 and 22. Share this with your offices and friends at local NGOs in case someone you know is looking for supplies.

Environmental Career Chats

Join this informal networking opportunity for U-M students to connect with environmental professionals about their career journeys. October's virtual chat is focused on Conservation Science & Management and Environmental Mapping & Technology with U-M alum Kaitie Benedek, Forestry Technician and will take place on October 27 from 4 to 5pm on Zoom. Register here.

Coffee Chats


The Student Sustainability Coalition is matching up students for 1:1 coffee chats once a month. The purpose is to create connections between students who are eager to make a difference in environmental and social sustainability, especially those who might not otherwise interact with each other. Complete the interest form ASAP to participate. 

UMSFP Working Groups

The U-M Sustainable Food Program working groups are creative, free-thinking collaboration networks for students of all academic backgrounds to work together on visionary food justice initiatives. Working groups are low-commitment and high impact, meeting twice per month for an hour. You're welcome to get involved in any capacity you can -- come once or come to every meeting! View the interest form to learn more about the focus of each working group and meeting times.

I spy with my little eye...

... something that will make the Diag even more sustainable. That's right, for the next month there will be a compost bin on the Diag! This effort is part of the "adopt a compost bin" pilot program run by the Office of Campus Sustainability. The bin will be monitored for contamination by the Planet Blue Student Leaders daily, so make sure to compost properly!

Dear Rufus,
What’s a community solar bulk-buy program?

These are programs that enable neighbors and friends to form a group and use their collective buying power to save on the total cost of going solar. The Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations Solarize initiative is one of these programs, and it recently achieved 2 MW of new solar installed in under two years! Solarize participation is open to anyone in Washtenaw County. Details are available at www.a2gov.org/solar.

Stay Up-to-Date

Between newsletters, visit the PBA Blog! You can also find information and updates on the ECO at U-M Facebook Group.


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