Sustainability
Leadership in Action
Happy Earth Month! There's a ton of momentum in support of a thriving planet as we head into the final month of spring classes. During the past couple weeks, will and WGSS brought internationally known activist and organizer Rinku Sen to campus to speak about climate and racial justice. A panel of local experts gave advice to dozens of community members on how to adopt a more humane and environmentally friendly diet. The Law School hosted a fascinating statewide Symposium on Environmental Justice. Just yesterday, UR announced that leaders in Undergraduate Admissions have made it possible to offset the carbon emissions of campus visits. And for the first time, students are able to register to be in the brand new Sustainability Minor. Each of these actions are reminiscent of the advice given by one of Richmond's most famous native sons, Arthur Ashe: "Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." Alone, as individuals, there is little we can do to solve the wicked challenges before us. But if we take action within our sphere of influence in alignment with our values - like so many people at UR have done this year - there is very little we cannot accomplish together.
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Support Spider Sustainability Today!
Sustainability at the University of Richmond means taking care of people and the environment, near and far, now and into the future. On campus you can see sustainability in action when our students generate innovative ideas in the Sustainability Solutions Challenge, when Management students crunch data to determine whether battery-operated landscaping equipment is a better choice financially and environmentally (it is!), and when our facilities and dining staff introduce a comprehensive composting initiative a year ahead of schedule. Sustainability is an all-hands-on-deck endeavor and everyone has a role to play. You can help out by making a contribution through Thursday, April 7. With your help, we can further weave sustainability into the University of Richmond and demonstrate what true leadership in sustainability looks like. Thank you for helping our students create positive change on campus.
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Celebrate Earth Week: April 18-22
While we believe Earth Day is every day, we are also big fans of sending some extra love to our home planet during the third week of April. Here are some easy ways to fly your green flag this Earth Week.
G.O. means Get Outside. The Office for Sustainability and campus partners will offer outdoor yoga, mindfulness activities, gardening tips, and tours in the Eco-Corridor. Keep an eye on Spiderbytes for dates and times.
Prioritize Plant-Forward Meals. Dining Services staff are planning innovative vegetarian and vegan specials at 8:15, Lou's, and Passport during Earth Week. Now's a great time to try eating lower on the food chain.
Shop Responsibly. The Spider Shop will feature items from sustainability-minded companies and certified B Corps, including products from 4ocean and Soapbox. Don't forget to bring your reusable shopping bag!
Support the Local Environment. Learn what's brewing in the community at Green Drinks at Legend on Friday, April 21, get out to Henrico County's Earth Day and Energy Fair on April 22, and head to Belle Isle at noon for the Cozy Ol' Earth Day cleanup on Sunday, April 24.
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We have a Sustainability Minor!
This Fall marks a major milestone in education for sustainability at UR. The brand new minor in Sustainability, offered by the Department of Geography, Environment, and Sustainability, will empower students to shape a just and sustainable world. Students in the minor will study core concepts in sustainability, research the impacts of human actions on people and the planet, and try their hands at developing effective solutions to complex challenges.
For more information about the minor, please email Dr. Todd Lookingbill at tlooking@richmond.edu.
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Spiders in Sustainability News
University of Richmond will offset the carbon footprint of campus visits
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Heat-mapping study found major temperature swings within Virginia localities
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MVP Pipeline project, 94% complete, halted by rogue court
Read the full article
Climate justice is the weapon against racism we need now
Read the full article
Redlined neighborhoods have higher levels of air pollution, study suggests
Read the full article
Waste Management's 'bait-and-switch' continues to harm communities
Read the full article
Appeals court won't revisit decision to reject Mountain Valley Pipeline permit
Read the full article
Supreme Court conservatives may slash EPA's authority on climate
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8,000 potential gravesites identified at East End Cemetery using drone and hydrology mapping software
Read the full article
Big environmental questions await Supreme Court pick Jackson
Read the full article
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