Earth Day Festival Student Speaker Competition

The Environmental Affairs Committee of Student Government will hold auditions to select engaging and energetic student speakers for the annual Earth Day Festival. Students are invited to share stories, spoken word pieces, or monologues that express a personal tie to a current environmental issue. Content can range from climate change to environmental injustice and pieces should be limited to 10 minutes. Apply by midnight on March 24. Selected speakers will be featured at the annual Earth Day Fest, on April 22, 5-7pm, at the Bell Tower Amphitheater. Mark your calendar to join together and celebrate our dedication to environmental issues on campus.

Carolina Environmental Film Festival

Students and filmmakers are encouraged to submit short documentaries on environmental issues and sustainability for the Carolina Environmental Film Festival. The festival, sponsored by the UNC Institute for the Environment and UNC Sustainability Office, will be held at the Varsity Theater from 7-9pm on April 22. Documentaries should be less than 10 minutes in length and recently produced. A panel of judges will award prizes to the top submissions. Read more »

Join A Drink For Tomorrow's Leadership Team

A Drink For Tomorrow (ADFT) encourages students who are interested in water issues, public health, social justice, advocacy, and international development to join their team. The student organization, dedicated to raising funds and awareness to combat the global water crisis, has open positions related to publicity, major events, finance, outreach, and more on their Executive Board. Apply by application and send your resume to adftunc@gmail.com by March 11 at 5PM. Apply here »

Green Corps Internship Network

Sign up to receive bi-weekly internship announcements from Green Corps and alumni representing over 350 groups, including Greenpeace, Food & Water Watch, the Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, and more. Email Jasmine Ruddy with questions and subscribe to the listserv. Sign up here »

UNC Athletics #TurnItGreen

UNC Athletics recently released a comprehensive report outlining sustainability initiatives throughout the department and across campus. The report highlights UNC Athletics’ sustainability efforts, including:
 • More recycling bins at athletic events
 • Using reclaimed water for athletic fields, with a projected savings of 10 million gallons of potable water annually
 • Installing low-flow toilets that reduce water consumption by up to 30 percent per flush
 The Smith Center took on a different look during the January 30 men’s basketball game as students, the pep band, dance team, cheerleaders and Rameses all donned “#TurnItGreen” REPREVE® t-shirts, which are each made from 15 recycled plastic bottles. UNC and North Carolina-based Unifi, Inc., makers of REPREVE, have been collaborating since 2014 to raise awareness among students, faculty, fans and alumni about recycling and how Unifi transforms plastic bottles into REPREVE-based products. Read more »

UNC Hosts Clean Tech Summit

The 3rd Annual NC Clean Tech Summit will be held on February 18-19 at the William and Ida Friday Center for Continuing Education in Chapel Hill. This year’s event will highlight the latest innovations and recent trends of the clean tech industry and challenges ahead. Students will have the opportunity to engage with clean-tech industry leaders through one-on-one mentoring, networking sessions, and a panel discussion. Conference registration is $250, with special rates for one-day participants, students, and others. Read more »

Learn to Lead Staff Sustainability Efforts

“Making the Workplace More Sustainable,” an interactive staff sustainability workshop, helps participants identify, measure and promote sustainable practices in their work areas. Participants learn about UNC sustainability goals and initiatives, become “green events” certified, and learn how to conduct a Workplace Sustainability Assessment. The upcoming, two-day training will be held Tuesday, February 23, and Thursday, February 25, from 8:30am - 12:30pm, at the Administrative Office Building on Airport Drive. Register soon through ConnectCarolina for “Workplace Sustainability 1,” space is limited. Read more »

Carolina Environmental Film Festival

Students and filmmakers are encouraged to submit short documentaries on environmental issues and sustainability for the Carolina Environmental Film Festival. The festival, organized by the UNC Institute for the Environment and UNC Sustainability Office, will be held at the Varsity Theater from 7-9pm on April 22. Documentaries should be less than 10 minutes in length and recently produced. A panel of judges will award prizes to the top submissions. Read more »

Learn to Lead Staff Sustainability Efforts

“Making the Workplace More Sustainable,” an interactive staff sustainability workshop, helps participants identify, measure and promote sustainable practices in their work areas. Participants learn about UNC sustainability goals and initiatives, become “green events” certified, and learn how to conduct a Workplace Sustainability Assessment. The upcoming, two-day training will be held Tuesday, February 23, and Thursday, February 25, from 8:30am - 12:30pm, at the Administrative Office Building on Airport Drive. Register soon through ConnectCarolina for “Workplace Sustainability 1,” space is limited. Read more »

Sign up for EcoReps Spring Training

EcoReps are Carolina’s trained peer-to-peer sustainability outreach team. Learn about campus sustainability initiatives that advance ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and societal well-being. Then, learn the skills needed to effectively engage other students. Spring semester training will be held on Sunday, January 31, from 11am-4pm in the Student Union, room 3209, and counts as a Public Service Scholars Skills Training. Register now »

New Dual Degree Program in Environment and Science Communication

Students now have the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a master's in mass communication over the course of five years at Carolina. The program is a unique partnership between the School of Media and Journalism and the Curriculum for Environment and Ecology, with support from Honors Carolina. An information session about the program will be held on Thursday, January 21, from 5-7pm in the Freedom Forum Conference Center (room 305) of Carroll Hall. Faculty from the Curriculum for the Environment and Ecology and the School of Media and Journalism will provide information and a current program student will share her experience. Register here »

UNC-Chapel Hill Signs the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge

Carolina joined more than 200 colleges and universities across the nation in signing the American Campuses Act on Climate Pledge. Announced by the White House just ahead of the Conference on Climate Change in Paris, the pledge demonstrates the signatories’ commitment to “accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy while enhancing sustainable and resilient practices across campus.” Read the full pledge and list of signatories here.

Carolina specifically pledged to build on existing investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and public transportation, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by: 

 • Transitioning to burning more natural gas instead of coal as an interim fuel strategy at our award winning 32 megawatt combined heat and power plant. 

• Investing in more LED lighting and demand responsive HVAC systems. UNC-Chapel Hill has already reduced energy consumption by 29% per square foot since 2003, thus avoiding $260 million in energy costs and associated greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Examining opportunities to expand our use of GHG-intensive methane gas to generate electricity. UNC already operates a 1 MW generator that produces electricity from landfill gas. 

• Working with the town to implement our recently developed bicycle master plans. UNC already sponsors a fare-free transit system, along with the town, that provides 7 million rides annually.

Campus Community Plants First Edible Campus Garden

The new Edible Campus project promotes a landscape of fresh produce and herbs accessible to all. Over 80 students and community members recently participated in the first planting day, facilitated by Grounds Services employees. Volunteers planted over 300 edible plants around campus, including blueberry bushes, persimmon trees, and artichoke plants. Read more »

Think Outside the Box at Global Entrepreneurship Week

Launched by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) is the world's largest celebration of innovators and job creators who bring ideas to life, drive economic growth, and improve human welfare. UNC will host a weeklong series of events from November 16-21 to reach across all disciplines and the Triangle community. This event is free and open to the public and features workshops, competitions, networking, and more. Read more »

Be a Part of the New Edible Garden Project at UNC

Imagine taking a study break from the library to harvest a snack. The new edible campus project promotes a landscape of fresh produce and herbs accessible to all. Emily Auerbach, Chancellor’s Fellow and recent UNC graduate, is leading the project with Facilities Planning and Design and members of student government. Volunteer to plant the first seeds of the edible garden on Saturday, November 21, at 2pm. Email Emily Auerbach (emily.auerbach@unc.edu) for more information. Read more »

UNC-Chapel Hill Ranks 15th Globally for Innovation

Thomson Reuters recently ranked the “Top 100 Innovative Universities.” Stanford University was ranked 1st globally, UNC-Chapel Hill was ranked 15th, and Duke University followed at 17th. Carolina received $792 million in research grants and contracts in fiscal year 2014. Students and faculty have launched more than 150 businesses, creating 38,000 jobs worldwide and generating more than $7 billion in annual revenue. Read more »

Carolina Listed in “75 Best Colleges for Food in America”

Carolina Dining Services (CDS) serves more than 4 million meals a year and is always on the look-out for food from local and organic producers. Nearly 30% of all food served comes from within 150 miles of campus and nearly 20% is ecologically sound, fair, and humane. Local foods purchased from within 250 miles of campus are available daily and include fresh produce, dairy products, and baked goods. CDS was also recently awarded a Gold Medal from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) for outstanding performance in sustainability education and Grand Prize for Excellence in Sustainability for its inaugural “Feeding the 5,000” event. Other CDS sustainability initiatives include a reusable container program, tray-free dining, fryer oil recycling, and weekly food donations to food banks. Read more » 

New Rankings Showcase UNC's Commitment to Sustainability

Colleges and universities across the state are making sustainability a top priority. In the Sierra Club’s “Cool Schools” rankings, five NC institutions are among the top 65 greenest colleges and universities nationally. Carolina leads the way at No. 15 out of over 150 participating colleges, followed by Appalachian State at No. 23, Duke at No. 27, Warren Wilson College at No. 54, and UNC Greensboro at No. 63. UNC-Chapel Hill and Appalachian State University also both hold a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS). UNC-Chapel Hill’s ranking recognizes the long-term success of its many sustainability initiatives. Carolina has reduced water use by 60% per square foot since 2000 and energy use by 31% per square foot since 2003. Read more »

Share Your Pilot Project Ideas for Campus Sustainability

Gathering input to inform the University’s new Strategic Sustainability Plan began in Spring 2015. Throughout the summer, six working groups identified UNC’s sustainability goals and priorities. An overview of their suggestions is available here. To learn more, please come out to Polk Place from 11:30am-2:30pm on Tuesday, September 15. Rain location is the Carolina Union Aquarium Lounge. We’re also hosting a Carolina Green Pledge Drive for reusable bags. Take the pledge in advance at Carolinagreen.unc.edu to grab your bag and avoid the line. Join via facebook and invite your friends.

What Pilot Projects would you like to see emerge from the plan? Please submit your ideas here.

Carolina Dining Services Wins Grand Prize for Excellence in Sustainability

Carolina Dining Services earned a Gold Medal from the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS) for outstanding performance in sustainability outreach and education. In addition, CDS won the overall Grand Prize for Excellence in Sustainability for its Feeding the 5,000 event that demonstrated how frequently unused food products can feed thousands of hungry people. (The second annual, free-of-charge Feeding the 5,000 event will occur Tuesday, September 29, from 11-2 in the Pit and Top of Lenoir.) The NACUFS Sustainability Awards recognize and honor institutions that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in environmental sustainability. Carolina Dining Services offers sustainable menu items daily, including, but not limited to, “Meat ‘Less' Mondays,” grass-fed beef, organic yogurt, humane chicken and cage-free eggs, and healthy, delicious and nutritious vegan and vegetarian offerings. Read more »