Community

Trouble in the Turkey: How to Deal with Climate Deniers this Thanksgiving

It’s November 25th, and you’re beaming. You don’t mean to, but you can’t help yourself. You’ve gotten over the campus flu, and you passed all of your midterms. Your travelling is over, and now you’re sitting with your loved ones for the first time in what feels like forever. Someone is tending to the dishes; someone is checking the temperature … Read More

A Place for Healing and Gathering

A Healing Garden

“In some Native languages, the term for plants translates to ‘those who take care of us.’” Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants Izhi-Minoging Mashkikiwan, or “Place Where Medicines Grow Well,” is the Anishinaabemowin name of a healing garden inspired by the traditional Ojibwe Medicine Wheel. The garden belongs to the Cheboiganing Burt … Read More

Sustainability Activism at U-M: Then and Now

Sustainability is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days, and it is easy to understand why. If it wasn’t abundantly clear already, the recent release of the 6th report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change shows that we are in a period of unprecedented climate change. Fortunately, we have some history with enacting large changes to … Read More

Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund: Grant Winners Announced for 2021

The Planet Blue Student Innovation Fund (PBSIF), run by the Student Sustainability Coalition, provides grant funding for large-scale, student-led projects that increase sustainability on U-M’s Ann Arbor campus. The grant came into existence in 2011 after emerita U-M President Mary Sue Coleman approved many of the recommendations from the Campus Sustainability Integrated Assessment — a process that looked much like … Read More

Pitching In Together: A Showcase of Student Sustainability Projects

Image of the Energy Team During their Pitch

Two sustainability-focused student programs at the University of Michigan, the Student Sustainability Coalition (SSC) and the Planet Blue Student Leaders (PBSL), participated in a virtual “Shark Tank” style event called Pitching In Together in April of 2021. Over the academic year, the PBSLs piloted creative environmental behavior-change campaigns with students across campus, and at this event, SSC heard pitches from … Read More

Watching and Reflecting on the Animated Film Princess Mononoke

Princess Mononoke movie graphic

On Thursday April 15, join the Planet Blue Ambassador program and the Center for Campus Involvement for a drive-in movie screening of Princess Mononoke! Yes, we said drive-in, and yes, we highly encourage carpooling with your housemates! If you haven’t yet registered your car, click this link to learn more about the COVID safety measures and secure a spot for … Read More

Plogging Our Way to a Cleaner Campus

Brian plogging around campus.

Coming back to campus in the fall amid a pandemic was scary. I will be the first to admit I was uncertain how the school year would look or if it would be as fun or rewarding as my previous semesters. One thing I knew for sure was that to get through these difficult times, I would need to stay … Read More

Community Justice Style: What Action Should You Take Next?

Oftentimes, when we talk about sustainability we talk about the individual choices we make to contribute to a better planet, but it is also important to give our attention to environmental justice and social justice as well because these go hand-in-hand. Many environmental challenges are unique and tend to affect BIPOC communities the most. Luckily there is so much shared power…

Sustainabilibuddies: Connect with Your Peers

Sustainability Buddies

Sustainabilibuddies is a new peer-mentorship program open to all Planet Blue Ambassadors. The aim is to foster a sense of community among our Ambassadors across campus. We hope to introduce Ambassadors to others in the campus community who are passionate about sustainability, with the idea that participants will make new connections, share success stories and challenges, and learn from each … Read More