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Projects Updates for theme: Engagement

  1. Circular Economy TED Talk 10/19/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    Alexa Smith, NRES senior and Zero Waste and Engagement iCAP Team clerk, led the TED Talk: Eco-Edition event on 10/19/21. This month's theme focused on the circular economy. Access her presentation here. 

    Together, we viewed Kate Raworth's TED Talk, "A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow". 

    All are welcome to join this fun and engaging monthly Zoom event!

  2. Sustainability components added to campus tour script

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Build a Culture of Sustainability
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    The following sustainability topics will be added to the new student campus tours!

    • Student Sustainability Committee (SSC): each year a group of graduate and undergraduate students vote on the funding for projects that have an environmental impact on campus, SSC allocates about $1.5 million annually towards these projects, the funds come from students fees, one of the largest green funds in American higher education today, have allocated $15.55 million towards funding 316 projects since 2008
    • Composting: National Soybean Research Center has a compost tumbler, the first publicly accessible compost drop-off on campus with plans to expand 
    • Environmental Quad Day: environmental RSOs and sustainability groups showcase their green initiatives and participation opportunities
    • Recycling: single-use mask recycling locations on campus; approximately 50 collection boxes available on campus to recycle single-use face coverings
    • Climate Commitments: UIUC has committed to achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible and has a Climate Action Plan (2020) to outline the campus sustainability plan to advance and achieve our goals 

  4. Request for Sustainability Mural

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    From: Collins, Halie Jean <haliejc at illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2021 11:46 AM
    To: Kim, Qu <qkim at illinois.edu>
    Cc: Fister, Quinn <bfister2 at illinois.edu>; Kim, Yeon <yjk at illinois.edu>
    Subject: SSC Sustainability Mural

     

    Hello, 

    My name is Halie Collins, and I am studying Civil and Environmental Engineering student. Through my last 3 years on campus, I have realized that there is not much student art being represented on the Engineering campus. Art inspires creativity, a trait that is extremely important to be innovative and successful in the engineering field. Because of this, I have reached out to Student Sustainability Committee and Illinois Facilities and Services about installing a Sustainability Mural on the Engineering campus. My teammates and I have already submitted a step 1 application for funding through SSC and we are now working on site acquisition. We have also received support from Morgan White who is the Sustainability Director at F&S.  

     

    The vision we have for the mural is something that inspires creativity and inspires students to become more sustainable. We would also like to feature campus sustainability initiatives in the mural for educational purposes. We also believe this mural should be visible for prospective students because more and more engineering students are interested in pursuing a career in sustainability and green technology.  

     

    We would greatly appreciate building manager contacts in the Engineering Department, or if you could forward this email to any building/Department that would be interested in installing a sustainability mural. Funding would be fully provided by SSC and other sources. 

     

    To this email, I have attached our SSC step 1 proposal and have copied other members working on this project. Thank you!  

     

     

    ​Halie Collins 

    The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign 

    Illinois Solar Decathlon President

    Civil and Environmental Engineering | Class of 2023

    haliejc2 at illinois.edu 

     

    ___________________________________________________________________

     

    From: Kim, Qu <qkim@illinois.edu>
    Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2021 9:36 AM
    To: Collins, Halie Jean <haliejc2@illinois.edu>
    Cc: Fister, Quinn <bfister2@illinois.edu>; Kim, Yeon <yjk4@illinois.edu>; White, Morgan <mbwhite@illinois.edu>; Kim, Qu <qkim@illinois.edu>
    Subject: RE: SSC Sustainability Mural

     

    Dear Halie:

    I am writing an email to reconnect about your request.

    If you do not have an example of the mural, but you need possible locations for your submission, you could list the following buildings as possible locations to be determined in the future.

    • Engineering Hall
    • ECEB
    • CEEB- New Civil Hydro
    • New MEB

     

    Hope this is helpful.

    Regards,

    Qu

  5. TED Talk: Eco-Edition - America Recycles Day on 11/15!

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    TED Talk: Eco-Edition series - America Recycles Day on 11/15!

    Join iSEE's November TED Talk: Eco-Edition event on Zoom in celebration of America Recycles Day! Nichole Millage (Champaign Environmental Sustainability Specialist) and Susan Monte (Champaign County Recycling Coordinator) will discuss local recycling efforts, the importance of waste reduction, and actions you can take. We will view a TED Talk followed by a guided conversation. All are welcome!

    November 15, 6–7 pm • Map

    Meredith Moore • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

  6. New Take on "TED"

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series [ARCHIVED]

    Led by Sustainability Programs Manager Meredith Moore, iSEE has been drawing dozens of campus and community members to participate in monthly ‘TED Talk: Eco-Editions.’

    One evening a month on Zoom, these iSEE Certified Green Events take on a different sustainability issue — from discussions of climate justice to waste reduction to plenty more.

    A pre-recorded TED Talk is shown, then a student, staff, or faculty member leads participants through a discussion and roundtable as our community explores how a topic can apply to campus, work, or everyday life.

    Find the next one on the Sustainability Calendar. And, see the attached file for the iQ Fall 2021 to read this article in its original form.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Our Bid for ‘Herd Sustainability’

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Best Practices Video

    In October, iSEE was proud to present a set of new Sustainability Training Videos designed to help students, faculty, and staff incorporate sustainability into their everyday lives and support Illinois Climate Action Plan goals in all their actions.

    Interim Director Madhu Khanna sent out a campus massmail on Oct. 20 — Campus Sustainability Day— asking all members of the campus community to join us in becoming more sustainable and maintaining the University of Illinois reputation as a worldwide leader in commitments to carbon neutrality and climate resilience.

    The videos highlight the extensive progress campus has made as well as specific steps each individual can take to be more sustainable, from recycling to biking to water conservation.

    The Institute tailored videos to individuals’ role on campus as students, faculty/researchers, or staff/administration/community members. All are asked to take a brief survey to let iSEE know what campus is doing right and what should be prioritized. Additional helpful links are included below each video as well. As our narrator says, “Let’s show the world what it means to be sustainable Illini!”

    See the attached file for the iQ Fall 2021 to read this article in its original form. And, view the videos on the iSEE webpage!

  8. Fall Congress ‘Circular Food Systems’ Ongoing

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress

    Because of the continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, iSEE transformed iSEE Congress Fall 2021, “Circular Food Systems,” into an online format. Congress became a series of one-hour Zoom webinars in October and November.

    The eighth iSEE Congress returns to the topic of feeding the world: providing a safe, secure supply of food and fuel to an ever-increasing human population using agricultural practices that are ecologically sustainable and adaptable to climate change. Speakers were invited to offer cutting-edge thinking about advancing the sustainability of our agricultural and food systems. The sessions:

    • Oct. 19: “21st Century Technologies for Sustainable Agriculture,” featuring Ken Cassman, the Robert B. Daugherty Emeritus Professor of Agronomy at the University of Nebraska; and Girish Chowdhary, Associate Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Computer Science at Illinois.
    • Oct. 27: “Transforming Food Systems for a Circular Economy,” co-sponsored and co-hosted by the Council on Food, Agricultural and Resource Economics (C-FARE) and endorsed by the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association (AAEA) and the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE). Speakers included Bruno Basso, MSU Foundation Professor of Crop Modeling and Land Use Sustainability, Michigan State University; James Jones, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Systems Modeling, University of Florida; Charles Rice, Distinguished Professor of Soil Microbiology, Kansas State University; and David Zilberman, Robinson Chair and Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California at Berkeley.
    • Nov. 3: “How Can We Reduce Waste from Agricultural and Food Systems?” featuring Brian Roe, Van Buren Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics, Ohio State University; and Tom Theis, Professor of Civil, Materials & Environmental Engineering and Director of the Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago.
    • Nov. 9: “Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products,” featuring Thomas Trabold, Research Professor at the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Yuanhui Zhang, Founder Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Illinois.

    More details on the Congress webpage. And, see the attached file for the iQ Fall 2021 to read this article in its original form.

    Attached Files: 

  10. Sustainability Sub-Council Meeting 11/10/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Clean Energy Plan
    Rainwater Management
    Energy iCAP Team
    Land and Water iCAP Team
    Vet Med Parking Lot Re-Design

    The Sustainability Sub-Council met on November 10, 2021 in preparation of the Sustainability Council meeting. The primary agenda items included: 

    • iCAP 2020 process reminder
    • Energy007 Comprehensive Energy Planning Document 
    • LW002 and Rainwater Funding Issues
    • Sustainability priorities and next steps

    The slide deck is attached with meeting minutes to follow.

    Attached Files: 

  12. Engagement iCAP Team Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach
    Engagement iCAP Team

    The Engagement iCAP Team met on Tuesday, November 9 to ideate recommendations on each of the team's four themes: awareness & purpose, technology & visibility, culture & practicality,  and inclusivity & relationships. The committee broke out into groups to generate lists of recommendations the team intends to pursue. Meeting minutes attached.

    Attached Files: 

  13. Climate Rally 11/12 at ISU Campus

    Associated Project(s): 
    Support Regional Sustainability
    Students for Environmental Concerns (SECS)

    The following information was received from Haley Cepek, the secretary for the Student Environmental Action Coalition at Illinois State University:

    We are currently planning a climate rally in response to the recent COP26 conference. It would take place this Friday, 11/12/21, starting at 1pm at Uptown Circle right outside ISU campus. I want to spread the word over to the University of Illinois so that more people would have the opportunity to use their voice for change. It is an important event and I would love for University of Illinois to have representation. I would greatly appreciate if you could help me in spreading the word over to your campus. We are hoping to make as big of an impact as we can with this rally, and we would truly benefit from combining our communities together to support one cause.

  15. iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress

    The harmful economic & environmental effects of agricultural waste can be mitigated with cutting-edge technologies, such as converting it to biochar & fuel. Join the final Fall iSEE Congress session with Thomas Trabold, Golisano Institute for Sustainability, Rochester Institute of Technology; and Yuanhui Zhang, Founder Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois.

    November 9, 12–1 pm • Register for Zoom webinar

    Julie Wurth • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    iSEE Congress Webinar: "Turning Agricultural Waste into Usable Products"

  16. Clean the Air Challenge info

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Competitions

    The Clear The Air Challenge is an alternative, sustainable transit challenge done along the Wasatch Front in Utah every February, using the TravelWise app (specifically designed for this challenge in the region). While the challenge only incorporates transit and transportation, expanding it to other areas of sustainability, such as lights and electricity, would be a great action to take! 

     

    Here is the link to the challenge's website:  https://cleartheairchallenge.org/ 

  17. Preliminary notes on sustainability art

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Art Displays

    Emily Dickett, iSEE Sustainabiltiy Intern, compiled the following notes on sustainability and the arts:

    Art and sustainability (activesustainability.com):

    • Sustainability present in many aspects of everyday life

    • Art is a vehicle of expression

    • Nature is one of the most common things pained

    • Nature is one of the oldest things pained

      • Landscapes in old chinese ink, drawings on ancient egyptian tombs

    • Sustainability and art can increase interest in nature/sustainability

      • Make people question norms

    • New trend of Land Art - communicate sustainability messages through the materials used and their impact on the environment

      • Ex: sculptures out of plastic

      • Promote conversations and change

    How Artists Are Incorporating Sustainability Into Their Work | Yale Sustainability

    • Artwork is interpreted individually, different for each person

    • Sustainability in artwork gives people the chance to think critically about their own roles in climate change

    • Sustainability in artwork can pose an issue in a different way

      • Learn new issues through art

    • Art is symbolic and memorable

      • Make sustainability ideas stick!

  18. Waste Reduction Challenge Wrap-up

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Sustainability Month - Waste Reduction Challenge
    Campus Sustainability Month

    Good morning! First, we would like to congratulate you on completing the second annual Waste Reduction Challenge. You should be extremely proud of yourself for your dedication to tracking waste, whether it was all four weeks or just one. We hope this challenge opened your eyes to the amount of waste we generate and that you use what you learned going forward in your everyday life.

    As promised, later this week we will send an email with raffle winners and statistics on how we did as a group in reducing our waste. To stay connected with fellow participants and be reminded of all things sustainability with U of I, sign up for the Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment newsletter. Also, join the Waste Reduction @ Illinois Facebook group! The group has over 100 members and is the place to communicate and share ideas with fellow sustainability rockstars.

    In addition to the Facebook group, check out these links to participate in sustainability activities and continue learning more:

    ·        Sign the "Use the Bin Pledge" - pledging to always use the recycling bin!

    ·        If you are on the Illinois campus, check out our Greener Campus Certification opportunities (for offices, events, and Greek chapters)

    ·        Watch the new (brief) sustainability training video - and take the survey afterward!

    ·        Read the iCAP 2020

    ·        If you missed any of the information throughout the challenge, here is a folder with all of the links and guides.

    ·        Monday, November 15 is America Recycles Day! How will you celebrate? We'd love to see you at the monthly iSEE TED Talk: Eco-Edition series from 6 - 7 PM on Zoom. Sign up here.

    Again, big congratulations on completing this month-long challenge. Attached is a guide with tips on going forward from here. This is just a starting point! Continue trying to live as sustainably as possible and set a positive example for your friends and family members. Remember, "we don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly" (Anne-Marie Bonneau).

    If you have not already done so, please submit your Week 4 Google Form and grid as soon as possible. As always, please feel free to continue to reach out to us with any questions, comments, or feedback. We look forward to interacting with you on the Facebook page, via email, and at future events!

    Have a great week and thanks again!

    Emily (iSEE Sustainability Intern) and Meredith (iSEE Sustainability Programs Manager)

    Attached Files: 

  19. "How Can We Reduce Waste from Agricultural and Food Systems?"

    Associated Project(s): 
    iSEE Congress
    Food Waste Reduction

    True food circularity must include waste reduction on the agricultural and consumer sides. Don't miss this third iSEE Congress webinar on "Circular Food Systems," with Brian Roe, Van Buren Professor of Agricultural, Environmental, and Development Economics at Ohio State; and Tom Theis, Director of The Institute for Environmental Science and Policy, University of Illinois Chicago. Register here >>>

    November 3, 12–1 pm • Zoom webinar

    Julie Wurth • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    "How Can We Reduce Waste from Agricultural and Food Systems?"

  20. Design for America Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Design for America

    Meeting 10/29/2021

    Present:  Anisha, Ananya, Pooja and Stacy Gloss

    The project idea that the students would like to pursue is Making connections between pollution and people – focused on smart phones, tablets, computer e-waste generated by students. The student group may consider various technologies in their project: laptops, gaming consoles, wearable tech.

    They will research:

    • Material Sourcing  / ethical sourcing  (What are major parts/tech of smart phone and how they are produced? Conditions? Environmental Impact?)
    • Manufacturing / Ethical production
    • Transportation
    • Sales
    • Purchasing frequency/habits/thoughts: What do students think about environmental impact of technology when purchasing technology?
    • End-of-product-life (what happens to products after their use?) – What do people think happens? What really happens?
    • Other considerations: data centers

    Project members may reach out to people in the community who are already knowledgeable about recycling to such as:

    For the next meeting the DFA group should be prepared with the specific research questions they want to answer by conducting this research and their thoughts on research methods --- these questions should inform their approach for the project and related initiative they will want to develop. They will also review the Zero Waste  iCAP portal page for resources. https://icap.sustainability.illinois.edu/themes/zero-waste

    Research Methods:

    Question:  Are there any special considerations (for example IRB) for DFA students to create a survey for campus on how often students purchase / throw away / recycle smart phones? Are there any processes that need to be followed within ISEE to do this research?

    Other questions:

    Is there a recycling coordinator on campus that has any data about e-waste on campus?

    Potential things to consider

    The group will think about how they want to visualize their project for impact. Students also are open to the audience at this point – could include campus and off-campus audience. Off campus audience members could be the Champaign County Climate Coalition.  Interactive presentation could be set up in a community location like a library. The students could present their project to an iSEE committee – like Zero Waste and Resilience.

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