September 15, 2008

Today: Sustainability

Sustainability at Purdue focuses on measurable efforts such as energy conservation, responsible use of land, water and other environmental resources, a commitment to pollution prevention and waste minimization, and increasing awareness and acceptance of personal responsibility for Purdue and its surrounding communities.

According to former Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland, sustainable development is defined as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." The scope of sustainability efforts may be quite broad and include economic, social, and political issues.

The Purdue Sustainability Council was formed in 2007 to bring faculty, staff, and students together to share ideas on sustainability.  The Council hosts a series of educational forums that are open to Purdue people and members of our community.  Learn more about the Council by clicking here.

If you’d like to participate on the Sustainability Council or would like to be added to the e-mail list please contact Robin Mills Ridgway of Radiological and Environmental Management.

Choose CityBus during Green Week/Alternative Transportation Challenge

CityBus is encouraging the community to "go green" by trying CityBus during Purdue Green Week's Alternative Transportation Challenge. The event is hosted by Purdue's Boiler Green Initiative.

The public, especially Purdue students and staff, are encouraged to choose alternatives to driving the week of Sept. 15-19. Walking, bicycling, carpooling, and riding CityBus are being promoted as green alternatives to driving.

Participants may register online to be eligible for prizes, and so event organizers can track savings in miles traveled and carbon emissions. Register here: http://www.purdue.edu/dp/environment/ATC/

TODAY'S EVENTS:

* Recycling truck, sponsored by Coca-Cola, located next to Bell Tower to encourage recycling. All day Monday and Tuesday.

* "Campus-wide Sustainable Stormwater Modifications." 10 a.m. Room 206, Stewart Center. 

* "Carbon Economics." College of Agriculture Brown Bag Lunch.  Speakers: Agriculture economists Jerry Shively and Otto Doering. Noon. Dean’s Auditorium, Pfendler Hall.

* "Alternatives to land filling solid food waste." Housing and Food Services. 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. Room 118, Purdue Memorial Union.

* "Green Workforce Development for the Manufacturing Sector."” 6–8 p.m. Room 170, Electrical Engineering.
* Alternative Transportation Challenge.
* Kick off of "100 Ways to Go Green."”

Additional resources:

Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education - As a member institution, all Purdue faculty, staff, and students with a @purdue.edu address are eligible to establish an account.

National Association of College and University Business Officers Campus Sustainability

For more about Green Week, go to www.purdue.edu/green.