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Projects Updates for key objective: No name

  1. Sustainable Issues and Opportunities for Handling End-of-Life PV Modules

    According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar power is the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S. and this growth will continue to rise. At the moment, only a few states have adopted solar PV end-of-life handling policies. Thus, a lot of modules may end up in landfills. The panel discussion will be on barriers, policies, and sustainable opportunities for end-of-life PV modules.

    Sustainable Issues and Opportunities for Handling End-of-Life PV Modules

    October 22, 9:30–11 am

    Jennifer Martin • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

    baseline_wifi_black_18dp.png This opportunity is available online.

  2. Research news for BlueWaters Supercomputer

    Applications are now being accepted for time on Blue Waters supercomputer. One of the world's most powerful computing systems, more than 16 million node-hours were allocated to campus projects over the last year. This is the final year of operations; submission deadline is November 2.

    --From: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/1581349436.html

  3. Research News about regenerative ag.

    Associated Project(s): 

    The recently launched Illinois Regenerative Agriculture Initiative (IRAI) brings together Illinois researchers and stakeholders across the U.S. to "create agriculture and food systems resilient to climate change, improve soil and water quality, and enhance food security." IRAI will offer seed grants to interdisciplinary research teams, and an informational webinar will be held on October 30.

    -- From: https://emails.illinois.edu/newsletter/1581349436.html

  4. eweek announcement

    Associated Project(s): 

    Mini-Talks on the Economics of Sustainability

    You're invited to the first ever Mini-Talks webinar from the Center for the Economics of Sustainability (https://ceos.illinois.edu) on October 28th! Join us during the lunch hour for four bite-sized talks on cutting-edge research in sustainability economics. Register here by October 26th. https://go.illinois.edu/ceos-minitalks 

    October 28, 12–1 pm • Register by 10/26 • Online/Zoom

    Isaac Wisthuff • Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics

  5. eweek announcement

    Associated Project(s): 

    Sustainable Issues and Opportunities for Handling End-of-Life PV Modules

    According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, solar power is the fastest-growing energy source in the U.S. and this growth will continue to rise. At the moment, only a few states have adopted solar PV end-of-life handling policies. Thus, a lot of modules may end up in landfills. The panel discussion will be on barriers, policies, and sustainable opportunities for end-of-life PV modules.

    October 22, 9:30–11 am

    Jennifer Martin • Illinois Sustainable Technology Center

  6. iWG Meeting Minutes from 10-9-20

    The iCAP Working Group met for the first time during the 2020-2021 academic year on 10-9-20. The group welcomed new members and discussed the status of the SWATeam recommendations submitted last spring by the teams. The meeting minutes and spreadsheet of the recommendation statuses are attached. 

  7. 10/16 Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting

    Attached are the meeting minutes and chat from the Zero Waste SWATeam meeting on 10/16.

    Discussed were the following topics:

    Reducing Food Waste

    • Post-consumer food waste prevention
    • Post-consumer food waste recovery

    Vending Machine Alternatives to Single-use plastics

    Plastic Recovery

    Single Use Plastics

    Illini Union Shadowbox attachment

    Food Literacy Project

     

  8. iCAP 2020 launched!

    Urbana, Ill. — On Oct. 20, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert J. Jones will approve and sign the newest version of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP). iCAP 2020, developed through broad stakeholder engagement and led by the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE) and Facilities & Services (F&S), commits the campus to divest from fossil fuels, switch to clean energy sources, cut landfill waste, and pursue environmental justice.

    iCAP 2020 is the campus’s strategic sustainability plan to achieve net-zero carbon emissions as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest. This is critical and urgent, as atmospheric greenhouse gases (GHG) contribute to unstable agricultural productivity, food insecurity, and heightened levels of air and water pollution that will particularly affect our most vulnerable communities.

    SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-based) objectives crafted in pursuit of this goal are organized into eight key themes: Energy, Transportation, Land & Water, Zero Waste, Education, Engagement, Resilience, and Implementation. Among the 56 diverse iCAP 2020 objectives:

    • Increase the number of trees on campus
    • Use clean energy sources for 15% of the total campus energy demand
    • Reduce net air travel emissions by 100% by FY30

    “We are proud of the university’s commitment to sustainability and appreciative of Chancellor Jones’s support as we continue to take action. Over the course of this year, campus and community members developed ambitious objectives, and we must work together to see them through,” iSEE Interim Director Madhu Khanna said. “The Illinois family is passionate about sustainability and resilient; each one of our efforts helps to make a difference.”

    iCAP 2020 is the third iteration of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (previously published in 2010 and updated in 2015). A priority this year is fostering a culture of sustainability on campus, with objectives geared toward increasing the visibility of sustainable practices to inspire positive, lasting change. These include:

    • Broaden the availability of sustainability education across the entire curriculum, beginning with first-year student orientation
    • Support programs to develop love of nature and sustainability among children
    • Promote zero waste events, with durable goods instead of disposables, and develop a comprehensive zero-waste messaging campaign

    Student involvement was instrumental to the creation of iCAP 2020. For the first time this year, the chancellor’s letter of endorsement is paired with a “Letter from the Students.” Additionally, students were key proponents of an objective calling for the university’s full divestment from fossil fuel companies.

    The Resilience chapter extends the iCAP’s scope of influence beyond campus borders. It identifies opportunities for collaboration with Champaign, Urbana, and Savoy to implement strategies for urban biodiversity, green job programs, and environmental justice.

    iCAP 2020 will be celebrated and signed by Chancellor Jones at the virtual Campus Sustainability Celebration from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20. Speakers include Khanna, F&S Executive Director Mohamed Attalla, and several student sustainability leaders. RSVP and learn more.

    (For the day of, here is the Campus Sustainability Celebration Zoom link (password 089397) >>>)

  9. Archived info - previous project description

    The SWATeams and iCAP Working Group are now working on development of the 2020 iCAP. Each of the SWATeams will be asked to recommend specific, measurable objectives for the 2020 iCAP.  The actual iCAP chapters will be written by members of the iWG and iSEE staff, based on the input received from SWATeams and campus, for review by the iWG. In Spring 2020, there will be campus and community review of the draft chapters, and the SWATeams will be included as key stakeholders in that review process. Ultimately, the 2020 iCAP with a chapter for each SWATeam, and additional related chapters will be formally submitted to the Sustainability Council for campus approval.

  10. eweek announcement

    iSEE Offering Seed Funding for Interdisciplinary Research Teams

    Up to $30K is available for a team of faculty-level researchers in sustainability, energy, or environment to develop exploratory ideas in multiple disciplines and departments; collect preliminary data; and prepare and submit research proposals for external funding through iSEE. Guidelines, forms, and contact info on the iSEE website.

    Tony Mancuso • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment (iSEE)

  11. eweek announcement

    Eric T. Freyfogle, "Water, Community, and the Culture of Owning"

    Professor Freyfogle is the author or editor of a dozen books dealing with issues of humans and nature, some focused on legal aspects, others reaching to larger cultural and social issues. In this talk he will explore why American legal and cultural systems of water use and ownership make it so difficult to face climate change and other environmental challenges.

    October 14, 12–1 pm • zoom

    Maria Dorofeeva • Center for Global Studies

  12. Red Oak Rain Garden Nears Completion with Award of Grants

    Please see the attached file for a recent press release regarding the Red Oak Rain Garden and their awarded grants from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

  13. Resilience iCAP Team Follow-Up Meeting

    The Resilience SWATeam met again on October 9th, 2020 at 12pm. The team completed the iCAP 2020 Assessment and in doing so determined the team's priorities for the year. The Assessment has been sent it to the iCAP Working Group, and the team is looking forward to advancing our objectives!

    Attached are a PDF of the completed Resilience iCAP Assessment, meeting minutes, and chat log. 

    The agenda was as follows:

    1. Review iCAP 2020 Assessment (Due October 9th)

    2. Update on Hazard Mitigation Plan recommendation

    3. Plans for future meetings

    4. Announcements

     

     

  14. Engagement SWATeam Meeting

    The Engagement SWATeam met on October 7th to continue its discussion on the iCAP Objective Assessment. Team members were tasked with researching and assessing particular objectives in the previous meeting. During this meeting, members presented their findings and initiated discussion on potential launch points. Meeting minutes are attached outlining discussion surrounding each of the six objectives in Chapter 7 of the iCAP 2020. 

    Attached Files: 
  15. links for resources

    The Zero Waste SWATeam met 10-02-2020 to discuss the iCAP 2020 objectives for Zero Waste, and one of the topics was regarding the new objective for implementing a Food Literacy Project in campus dining halls. Team members identified a few resources that could be helpful in implementing this project:

    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jiec.12923

    https://dining.harvard.edu/food-literacy-project

    "Modelling nutrient flows in a simplified local food-energy-water system": https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344918300818

     

     

  16. 10/2 Transportation SWATeam Meeting

    Attached are the meeting minutes for the Transportation SWATeam Meeting on 2 October 2019.

    The items discussed were:

    • Introductions
    • Announcements
      • Sustainability Celebration Information
        • Student member involvement
      • SSC Working Group Meeting Invitation
    • Team Member Updates
      • SSC Grant Application for Abandoned Bike Path Removal
      • Bike Census 2020 Volunteers
      • CTAC Membership
    • iCAP 2020 Objectives Assessment
      • Team Members assigned objectives.
      • Deadline for member contributions is 10/9 at noon.
  17. 10/2 Zero Waste SWATeam Meeting

    Attached are the meeting minutes and chat log for the Zero Waste SWATeam meeting on 2 October at 4PM.

    Also attached are resources for the conversation surrounding vending machine alternatives. 

    The agenda for this meeting is as follows:

    • Introductions
    • Announcements
      • Sustainability Celebration Information
        • Student member involvement
      • SSC Working Group Meeting Invitation
    • iCAP 2020 Objectives Assessment
      • Team Members assigned objectives.
      • Deadline for member contributions is 10/9 at noon.
    • Refresher
      • America To Go Sustainability criteria

        • SWATeam can provide help in determining appropriate sustainability criteria to include.
      • Vending Machine Single Use Plastics Alternatives Discussion
        • Working through various points of consideration.
        • Tabled discussion.

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