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Find your place in environmentalism.
We are a community of students who explore, learn about, and act on contemporary environmental issues on campus and in the Austin area.
Whether you’re looking to take action or learn more about environmental issues, we have countless opportunities to get involved.
Check out one of our five Project Teams! These are student-led initiatives aimed at operating a novel project, program or, service that advances environmental stewardship on the UT-Austin campus. Our teams include Microfarm, Trash to Treasure, Green Greeks, Green Events, and the Environmental Justice Collective. Learn more about our project teams here.
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In this issue, you'll find:
- Recap
- Campfire #1: Female Education and Empowerment
- First Microfarm Workday of the year!
- Upcoming Events
- 2/14, 2/15, 2/17 - Pick up your menstrual cup at the SSB!
- 2/15 - Campfire #2: UT's Green Fund Campfire
- Tabling on Speedway!
- 3/1 - Campfire #3: Nurdles and Plastic Pollution Campfire
- CEC Community
- How to Celebrate Valentine's Day Sustainably
- News in Sustainability - Bikers travel for clean energy advocacy
- CEC Student Spotlight
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Campfire #1: Female Education and Empowerment
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On February 1 during our first Campfire of the semester, the CEC held a student-led talk on the importance of female education and empowerment in regard to climate change. We watched the TED talk "How empowering women and girls can help stop global warming" by Katharine Wilkinson, senior writer of Project Drawdown and co-creator of The All We Can Save Project.
In our subsequent discussion, we considered specific ways female leadership and environmental awareness can be advanced. Some answers included "Promotion of environmental majors towards women before college, equality of education for women in developing countries, more women in leadership positions." For girls across the state of Texas, one suggested to "Join a Texas Master Naturalists local chapter." This program hosts training classes to help volunteers gain education over management of natural resources and natural areas.
We also talked about examples of female climate leadership, to which people replied: "Wangari Matthai - She was the first African woman to win the Nobel peace prize, which she won for her work with the Green Belt Movement planting thousands of trees in Kenya." And, of course, Greta Thunberg, who represents the power of youth activism across the world in fighting climate change.
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Microfarm's First Workday of the Year!
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On February 6, Microfarm had a successful first workday of the year! Over 45 volunteers and 3 different UT student organizations showed up to farm! These volunteers helped build cinder block structures to place throughout the farm, composted, and learned about crop rotation. Oh, and Microfarm started their very own TikTok so you can now see what a day on the farm looks like! Check it out at @utexasmicrofarm and on their Instagram reels, @utmicrofarm.
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Does Microfarm sound like something you'd be interested in? Check out their volunteer workday sessions, hosted every Sunday from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Whitaker IM Fields.
Way to go, team!
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EJC is doing one last round of pickups for period cups! This time, anyone can pick them up, regardless if they've signed up for them before Pickup will be at the SSB in the Campus Environmental Center Office on these three days:
- Monday, February 14th 2-5 pm
- Tuesday, February 15th 3-5 pm
- Thursday, February 17th 2-4 pm
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Join us for our fifth Campfire this upcoming Tuesday at 6 PM! Green Fund Program Coordinator Jill Parrish will speak about the application process and impacts of UT’s Green Fund. The Green Fund, formerly Green Fee, is a competitive grant program funded by UT Austin tuition fees to support sustainability-related projects and initiatives proposed by university students, faculty or staff. Additionally, we will hear from grant recipients such as Farmstand and Engineers for a Sustainable World about how the Green Fund has allowed them to further their sustainability ideas. Click here to access the Zoom link.
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This week on Tuesday and Thursday from 1:30-3 PM, catch Anna tabling on Speedway for our upcoming Nurdles Campfire! We will be talking about plastic pollution and how it impacts the ocean. The CEC is trying to encourage students to do their part and limit Single-Use Plastics, if you see us tabling on Speedway or East Mall come say hi & enter to win our raffle! We will be giving away a Hydroflask, reusable cutlery and grocery bags to our final winner.
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Campfire #3: Nurdles and Plastic Pollution will take place on Tuesday, March 1 at 6 PM over Zoom. Jace Tunnell, Research Director of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve and leader of Nurdle Patrol, will speak about the little known subject of nurdles. According to Nurdle Patrol, nurdles are tiny plastic pellets that are used to make almost every plastic item we use, so they are everywhere. The issue with nurdles is that they are harmful or even deadly for sea creatures, and if we clean them up from beaches, new ones will simply find their way back. That’s why the Nurdle Patrol is determined to make a permanent change. Come learn more about Nurdle Patrol, and how you can make a lasting difference in your own community.
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How to Celebrate Valentine's Day Sustainably
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On Valentine's Day, we want to celebrate love - and that means love for the planet, too!
Like most holidays, Valentine's Day often leads to excessive spending on items that are imported from overseas and often produce waste that can't be recycled. From chocolates and flowers to glittery cards and jewelry, these physical gifts all come with a big environmental footprint.
Check out our #SustainableSunday post from yesterday to see how you can celebrate Valentine's Day sustainably!
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How these bikers traveled 6,000 miles for clean energy advocacy
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Last month, Sushil Reddy and Luiz Fourzan rode their solar-powered electric bikes in Austin. This was near the end of their several month-long journey that had started August 15. Since then, they have rode through large cities and small towns, averaging 55 miles a day, covering more than 6,000 miles across the nation.
Their goal? "[We want] to rase awareness on solar energy, on electric mobility and active lifestyle," said Reddy to Spectrum News 1. The project is called The SunPedal Ride, an apt name for the bike that is powered 50% by the sun and 50% by peddling. Check out more of their story here!
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CEC Student Spotlight:
Education and Outreach Coordinator Anna Alvarez
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Anna is a senior majoring in Sustainability Studies and minoring in Government. This is her first role in the CEC, but you can also find her participating in the JJ Pickle Research Fellowship and other environmental orgs around campus! She is very excited to engage students in environmental activism and sustainability, especially as she heads towards an Environmental Policy Masters after graduation. Until then, she can’t wait to plan fun socials and help increase environmental engagement on campus! In her spare time, she binge watches youtube, listens to podcasts and cooks!
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Thank you for reading this month's newsletter! Stay tuned for more :)
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Follow us on social media to receive updates on the CEC, event reminders, and tips on sustainability!
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Questions? Email Communications Coordinator Kristina Priotto at communications@utenvironment.org
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