Green Careers Panel – February 29, 2024

January 30, 2024

What: An interdisciplinary panel of experts, designed to inform students on the ways in which their desired career path can intersect with sustainability and the environment. A green career does not have to be one solely in the environmental field! Green careers are found in business, art, science, education, government, and more. The GCP will help you as a student find a career that connects your unique talents and interests with sustainability. This is also an Honors event! (Categories:  Social Change, Service, & Sustainability; Career, Professional, & Personal Development- #UHLevent10700)

When: Thursday, February 29th, 5:30 to 7:30 pm (Check out the Eco-Involvement Fair from 4:30 to 5:30 in the Atrium before the panel!)

Where: BPB (Bio Physics Building), room 130

91 N. Eagleville Road, Storrs CT 06269

Who: Students of any and all majors are encouraged to attend. Green careers are not limited to environmental majors! We want to show you all how your majors can be related to a green career.

Why: The Earth is facing an imminent crisis: climate change. We will need all hands on deck to make progress in our goals as a global community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save our planet. We at the OS want to show YOU, all the students here at UConn, that ‘green’ does not have to mean strictly environmental science. Our panelists include engineers, businesspeople, and more – sustainability initiatives can be incorporated into any job! There is a place for all of you in the fight for sustainability and environmental justice; you all have a role to play, big or small.

Eco-Involvement Fair (4:30-5:30 pm in the BPB Atrium): Join us before the GCP for a meet and greet among environmental clubs on campus. Learn more about what students like you are working towards on campus and find out how you can get involved with the many environmentally-minded student orgs!

RSVP HERE 

Environmental and Social Sustainability Grant Applications OPEN

January 10, 2024

Are you a UConn student with an idea that can push environmental and social sustainability forward at UConn and in Connecticut? Then apply for our Environmental and Social Sustainability Small Grants!

Projects must advance strategic sustainability goal areas AND related social challenges.

Deadline is March 1, 2024 at 4pm.

Winners will be selected by April 1, 2024.

Grant amounts may be up to $10k.

All projects must have a faculty or staff member acting as a mentor, and must have the ability to accept funds on behalf of your project.

Projects must be completed by the end of December 2024.

For all the details, deadlines and materials visit the grant info page.

Environmental and social sustainability grants logo

Share Your Sustainability Event with the Office of Sustainability

December 20, 2023

Is your student organization or department hosting an event related to sustainability? Need help getting the word out at UConn?

Fill out our new form and we may be able to share it on our social media channels, digital dashboard screens, and in our monthly newsletter.

Please give at least 2 weeks notice and know that we may not have the staff power to share all events, depending on our existing obligations.

Sustainability Event Form

 

*Note – don’t forget to add your event to the University Event Calendar and tag it “sustainability” for even greater viewership.

Sustainability Action Student Org Meet and Greet on Nov 16

November 1, 2023

Is your club involved with suSustainability student org meet and green on Nov. 16 2023 from 5:30-7pm in McHugh 102.stainability issues like environmental justice, agriculture, energy or more? Does your club want to be more involved? Let’s connect!

Meet with other clubs and the UConn Office of Sustainability between 5:30p and 7pm on Thursday November 16 in McHugh Hall, room 102. Pizza and beverages provided.

RSVP Here

Not part of a club yet? You’re invited too – see how you can get involved with the many UConn student organizations working on saving the environment.

Letter from the Director: World Vegan Day

Dear UConn Campus Community, 

Today, November 1st, is World Vegan Day, a day to recognize and celebrate the benefits of a vegan lifestyle. Word Vegan Day also helps raise awareness of the ethical and environmental implications of animal agriculture. 

For several years I worked with some of California’s largest dairies to advance energy and water conservation efforts. My time on these farms was enough to convince me to stop eating dairy products and drastically cut my meat intake. Many of the operations that I encountered housed 5,000-10,000 dairy cows. These large scale confined animal feeding operations (CAFO’s) are drastically different from the many small farms here in CT but they supply some of the biggest food distributors and restaurant chains in the world with an unsustainable and unethical product.  I urge you to shop local and think about the impacts of these CAFO’s before visiting your local chain for a burger. Here is why. 

Family farms vs industrial-scale dairy and meat production 

There is a significant difference between family farms and industrial-scale dairy and meat production. Family farms are typically smaller, more diversified, and more sustainable. They often raise animals on pasture and use fewer antibiotics and hormones. Industrial-scale dairy and meat production, on the other hand, is characterized by large-scale CAFOs, where animals are too-frequently raised in crowded and unsanitary conditions. CAFOs have a very large environmental impact, sucking up precious ground water (especially in the case of Central CA) and are a major source of air and water pollution. Additionally, these industrial facilities contribute to climate change and antibiotic resistance. 

Social impacts of industrial-scale dairy and meat production 

There are also significant social impacts of meat and dairy production. For instance, workers in the meat and dairy industry often face poor working conditions and low wages. They are at increased risk of exposure to hazardous chemicals and diseases. Communities near CAFOs often suffer from air and water pollution, and they may also experience decreased property values. Sadly, many farm workers are food insecure and live in food deserts. 

Environmental impacts of industrial-scale dairy and meat production 

Industrial-scale dairy and meat production is a major contributor to climate change, water pollution, and biodiversity loss. It is also a major consumer of land and resources. 

So….. What can we do? 

There are a number of things we can do to reduce the negative social and environmental impacts of dairy and meat production. One is to choose to buy meat and dairy products from family farms whenever possible. We can also reduce our overall consumption of meat and dairy products. And we can support policies that promote sustainable and ethical agriculture. 

I encourage you to learn more about the social and environmental impacts of dairy and meat production, and to make choices that support a more sustainable and ethical food system.  To start, you can check out: 

https://sustainablefood.uconn.edu/ 

https://portal.ct.gov/DOAG/Marketing/Marketing/Organic-Farms-Listing  

https://ctgrown.org/ 

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut 

Letter from the Director: Indigenous Peoples’ Day

October 9, 2023

Dear UConn Campus Community, 

On Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I write to you to honor and celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across our nation and around the world. I see Indigenous Peoples’ day is an opportunity for reflection, mindfulness and unity, to acknowledge and support Indigenous communities.

Before I go on, however, please take a moment to acknowledge the land on which our university stands. The University of Connecticut is located on the traditional lands of the Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Nipmuc, and Lenape peoples. Especially as an Office dedicated to cultivating a healthy relationship between humans and the environment, we honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these Indigenous nations and their ancestral lands.

In the spirit Indigenous Peoples’ Day, the Office of Sustainability encourages all members of our community to learn about Indigenous history, culture, and contemporary issues. On campus, one of the best resources for this is the Native American Cultural Program: https://nacp.uconn.edu/.

In the coming months and years, we will engage deeply with the critical issue of environmental justice and will be sharing resources that provide opportunities for education, dialogue, and celebration of the many vibrant cultures and valuable perspectives of our community, including that of indigenous peoples.

I’d like to take a moment to encourage everyone to support Indigenous communities through acts of solidarity and allyship. One simple act is to understand the historical lands upon which you, your loved ones now stand: https://native-land.ca/

Also, I encourage participating in local events, supporting Indigenous-owned businesses, and advocating for Indigenous rights and environmental stewardship. A good place to start is here: https://career.uconn.edu/blog/2020/11/24/native-american-owned-small-businesses/

Indigenous Peoples’ Day reminds us to reflect and take action for an equitable, just and sustainable world. Let us use this day to honor the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous peoples while also acknowledging the challenges they continue to face.

Thank you for joining us in recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and for your ongoing support in our shared commitment to sustainability and inclusivity at the University of Connecticut.

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut 

Haunted HEEP 2023

October 3, 2023

I survived Haunted HEEP October 2023

Prepare to be scared at the annual Office of Sustainability Haunted HEEP (Hillside Environmental Education Park)! This thrilling 1 mile walk through the woods is sure to scare.

Date: Wednesday, October 25

Time: 7-9:30pm

Free! Do RSVP in advance though. We will have a VIP line for quicker access for those who pre-registered.

Rain date will be Thursday, October 26.

First come, first served, and we need to close promptly at 9:30pm. First 100 students will get a limited edition Haunted HEEP shirt.

Where: Entry will be at the HEEP Trailhead off of Discovery Drive and behind the Innovation Partnership Building. You can take the blue line, walk, or park your car in the IPB lot.

HEEP Trail Parking is behind the Innovation Partnership Building.

Volunteers Needed

We are currently recruiting volunteers to help put on the event. We need people willing to scare, and also to help with entry/exit. If you’ve ever wanted the chance to jump out of the bushes and scare your fellow UConn students, this is the opportunity you’ve been waiting for!

Does your club want to host a scary scene? Sign up here.

Do you want to volunteer on your own or with friends? Sign up here.

Volunteers will receive a limited edition Haunted HEEP shirt and pizza.

You must be able to be present from ~5pm onwards on October 25th.

You must attend a pre-event trail walk through to get oriented with the site. A walk through will be hosted on Saturday, October 14 from noon-1pm, and a second option on Saturday, October 21 from 2-3pm.

 

 

Letter from the Director: Suicide Prevention Month

September 19, 2023

Dear UConn Community, 

As many of you know, September is Suicide Prevention Month.  

Along with our colleagues throughout the UConn community, the Office of Sustainability is committed to raising awareness about the importance of mental health and suicide prevention. 

In 2020, suicide was the 12th leading cause of death in the United States, and it is the second leading cause of death for people ages 25-34. It is a serious issue that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences.  Each of us has a role to play in preventing suicide and having the following information handy could save a life: 

  • If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text988 immediately. 
  • If you are uncomfortable talking on the phone, you can chat the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.  
  • You can also text NAMI to 741-741 to be connected to a free, trained crisis counselor on the Crisis Text Line. 

 

Of course, many factors can contribute to suicide, including mental health conditions, substance abuse, and difficult life circumstances. That’s why, as part of our work to support mental health here at UConn (and beyond) we use trauma informed principles: 

CDC Trauma Informed Principles include safety, trustworthiness and transparency, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, voice and choice and lastly cultural, historical and gender issues

Here at the OS, we aren’t clinicians, and we don’t offer therapeutic services, but we do see it as our responsibility to be informed about, and supportive of, our mental health service teams and capabilities.  

Here on campus, the best place to learn more about mental health services and get the care you need is through Student Health and Wellness: https://studenthealth.uconn.edu/  

In addition to reaching out for help, there are also things that we can do as a community to prevent suicide. We can: 

  • Talk about mental health openly and without judgment. 
  • Challenge the stigma around suicide. 
  • Be supportive of our friends, family, and colleagues. 
  • Create a culture of caring and compassion. 

Please join us as we work together to create a campus community where everyone feels safe and supported. 

Thank you for your time. 

Sincerely, 

Joe Fullerton 

Director of the Office of Sustainability  

University of Connecticut 

Faculty/Staff Interested in Attending COP28 in Dubai?

July 17, 2023

The steering committee for the UConn@COP Fellowship Program is pleased to extend a call for expressions of interest by UConn faculty and staff members who are interested in joining the UConn@COP28 contingent as it travels to Dubai, UAE from November 30th – December 7th, 2023 to attend the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP28) climate change conference.

Critically, participation in the formal Fellowship Program and travel with the group require all travel expenses, including flight and hotel fees be self-funded.  The UConn contingent will be staying at the Aloft Me’Aisam in Dubai.

Due to space limitations, only two faculty and staff members will be able to stay with the group as part of the official delegation. Nonetheless, anyone already planning to attend the conference is more than welcome to meet with the UConn delegation in Dubai.

Please note, conference passes are scarce and not guaranteed. Priority for passes will be given to students before faculty or staff members. We encourage applicants to seek alternative sources for obtaining an official UN conference badge.

Opportunities to contribute to the program include:

  • Leading topic-specific “breakfast club” conversations in the mornings at the conference with the UConn@COP fellows
  • Participating in group cultural immersion excursions
  • Leading or participating in pre-travel educational meetings
  • Participating in the COP@UConn Symposium (formerly called Climate Change Café) after returning to campus

To submit your expression of interest, please email the UConn@COP steering committee at sustainability@uconn.edu by July 24th.  Please be sure to address the following questions in your email:

  1. What contributions to the UConn@COP Fellowship Program might you offer the students?
  2. What will you gain professionally by joining the UConn delegation attending COP28?

Please feel free to email the UConn@COP Fellowship Program steering committee with any questions, at:  sustainability@uconn.edu