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Peace on earth, peace with earth
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This holiday season, we're grateful for voices of stewardship and belonging—from conservationist Paul Alan Cox, climate scientist Katharine Hayhoe, Elder Peter M. Johnson, and other university speakers to the BYU students who sparked 44,100 climate conversations worldwide. "Great spiritual blessings are promised to those who love and care for the earth and their fellow men and women," said Bishop Gérard Caussé in the October General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, BYU's sponsoring institution.
In 2022, we held two campus green weeks, with educational events, art and photo contests, nature walks, bike rides, and service projects, such as planting trees to support Provo’s Thousand Trees Initiative. We celebrated new courses, interdisciplinary research, and experiential learning. We conserved resources and promoted sustainable living. We strengthened partnerships. And we worked to protect our beautiful surroundings, from Utah Lake to the newly renamed Kyhv Peak, pictured above. We couldn't have done it without you.
Merry Christmas!
The BYU Sustainability Office
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The power of conversation
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In a recent BYU Forum address, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe invited BYU community members to bring others into the conversation about climate change. "But guess what. You're already doing that here at BYU," she said, revealing a map of 34,200 climate conversations that BYU students had initiated since October. "Isn't that amazing? Every one of those conversations is connecting the head to the heart to the hands, talking about what we can do and why we're doing it."
"Here's the bottom line," she continued. "Caring about God's creation—which includes people and other living things already being affected by climate change today—is a genuine expression of our faith. It is a faithful acceptance of our responsibility, and it is a true expression of God's love."
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- Read Dr. Hayhoe's newsletter: "Utah Tackles Climate Change!" (12/9)
- Listen to an interview with "This Week in Mormons" (12/8)
- Listen to an interview with "Y Life Science" (11/7)
- Watch a webinar with Latter-day Saint Earth Stewardship (10/21)
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Great Salt Lake
There’s no getting around it—the West is drying up. In this excellent piece by Y Magazine, read what BYU experts say needs to happen.
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Provo River
In January, after years of planning and construction, the lower Provo River will be diverted into a renewed delta. Follow the project with this website, video, and map.
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Photo gallery
Missed our Everyday Stewards photo contest? Visit the second floor of the BYU Library to see the winning images. Each was framed in reclaimed wood by librarian Mark Jackson.
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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
In November, we partnered with the BYU Botany Club to weed the native plant garden south of campus. With support from BYU Grounds, we pulled invasive cheatgrass, cleared walkways, collected litter, and learned about Utah’s native plants—ponderosa pine, sagebrush, and more. Follow us on Instagram to learn about future service projects. Thanks to our volunteers!
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Did we miss anything? Share your news and suggestions with us at sustainability@byu.edu.
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