Brandeis U Launches Year of Climate Action

Organized by the Brandeis Sustainability Committee, the Year of Climate Action aims to raise awareness for climate change as a social justice issue. Planned activities and initiatives throughout the year focus on institutional priorities, such as introducing new organic land management practices and a decarbonization study, and curricular programming, including sustainability course development funding and curated teaching resources. Other features of the year include a theater, a climate organizer-in-residence, local environmental justice events, an eco-anxiety support group, and club funding for student-designed programs.

U Sherbrooke Achieves Carbon Neutrality

The university's recent carbon neutrality accomplishment was achieved by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency and renewable energy sources, then offsetting the remainder through certified carbon credits. The announcement comes eight years ahead of the university's carbon neutral goal.

U Illinois Chicago Receives $1.5M for Social Justice Initiative

The university's Portal Project, which launched in 2021 and focuses on abolition, economic democracy and climate justice, has received a $1.5 million grant from the Marguerite Casey Foundation. The grant will be used to expand its work at the intersection of social justice scholarship and social movements, culminating in a national conference and book publication.

U Southern California to Phase Out Single-Use Plastic Beverage Bottles

The university recently committed to eliminate single-use plastic beverage bottles by transitioning to beverage container alternatives, including glass and aluminum, and encouraging the use of water-bottle filling stations, water coolers/dispensers and water fountains.

NWF & Recyclemania Announce Campus Race to Zero Waste Results

Three winners were selected in each major category, representing small, medium and large campus sizes, with individual winners announced for special categories.

U Pittsburgh Publishes Inaugural Climate Action Plan

The University of Pittsburgh’s Pittsburgh campus published recently its first Climate Action Plan outlining its strategy, approach and details to achieve carbon neutrality by 2037.

Tufts U Establishes Indigenous Center

The university recently selected Vernon Miller as the inaugural director of the new Indigenous Center. Miller, a member of the Thunder Clan from the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and Iowa, will develop and implement programming and support mechanisms with and for the Tufts’ Indigenous student population.