“The air here always tastes like chalk.” I would joke to myself, tightening my N95 mask as I stepped into the narrow, dingy lanes of Chattarpur, where I taught my young, passionate dreamers. The distinct, metallic taste in the air of our classroom was a perpetual reminder of the environmental toll we were paying. Even with the windows sealed tight, … Read More
If you’ve walked across campus, you’ve probably noticed them: bikes sitting forgotten at racks, slowly rusting through the seasons. Worse, those with missing seats and wheels. Some have been there so long they’ve become part of the landscape. But what if those abandoned bikes could get a second life—and help build a stronger transit community in the process? That’s exactly … Read More
Carnivals have been speckled across campus over the past few years, but have you ever attended one centered on the climate crisis? Carnival Built in H&!! brings together collective learning, sustainability initiatives, food, and joy into a space that gamifies mutual aid values. Such values include building long-term community relationships, redirecting resources and services within community, and creating a network … Read More
The University of Michigan Lab Reuse Program is a testament to the university’s commitment to being environmentally sustainable through redistributing unused laboratory materials. This initiative aims to reduce lab waste and increase the utilization of resources. As a large research institution, lab work has a huge environmental impact on our campus and on campuses around the country. Previously known as … Read More
This is not my first Michigan winter. And yet, I feel more bothered this year than others. I recently got a memory on my phone from last year where it was an abnormally warm day in February and I ran in shorts outdoors and seeing this made me long for the freedom of summer months. But unfortunately, I cannot rush … Read More
What sparks joy and inspires you? Is it taking a deep breath in a forest, laughing with friends, or dancing to your favorite music? When we consider how to prepare for climate change, we often focus on physical infrastructure, like flood-resistant buildings or emergency shelters, but overlook the mental health impacts of climate change. By taking time to recognize joyful … Read More
In 2016, the University of Michigan set an ambitious goal to achieve zero waste at home football games and divert 90% of game day waste from the landfill. The Zero Waste Stadium Program launched in the 2017 season as a collaboration among Athletics, the Office of Campus Sustainability, U-M Waste Management Services, campus sustainability partners, volunteers, and stadium concessions. Now … Read More
Nervous for Winter? We all live in Michigan and as we all know, Michigan winters can be cold and long! With less sunlight and less green, we miss the freedom of summer and warmer weather. But did you know that nature, something we see everyday as we commute to campus, can help you through these winter months? Research done here … Read More
Welcome (back) to campus, Wolverines! A new semester makes it a great time to try new habits that are healthy for both you and the planet! Biking is a perfect place to start and a wonderful way to explore low-emission recreation and transportation. The University of Michigan and Ann Arbor community is home to many new bike lanes, resources, and … Read More
It goes by many different terms, “Swag,” “Merch,” and “Promos” to name a few, but no matter what you might call it, promotional material given out by organizations across the world, or swag as I will call it in this blog post, has established itself into a global industry. Swag is one of the most popular methods of showing our … Read More
