April's TED Talk: Eco-Edition discussion was hosted by iSEE Sustainability Intern, Emily Dickett. Dickett led the group in a powerful discussion on climate change activism and how to engage peers in the important matter.

If you missed the discussion or would like to reference any materials Dickett presented, see the attached file.

Like most of us, the TED Talk: Eco-Edition series is taking a summer break! Stay tuned for the first discussion of the 2023-2024 school year in August. 

February's TED Talk: Eco-Edition discussion was hosted by Professor Megan Matthews. Matthews led the group in an insightful discussion on renewable energy and what really needs to be done in order to achieve a greener future. 

If you missed the discussion or would like to reference any materials Matthews presented, see the attached file.

Join us for iSEE's November TED Talk: Eco-Edition event in celebration of America Recycles Day! F&S Zero Waste Coordinator, Daphne Hulse, and Waste Management intern, Shreya Mahajan, will host the discussion on zero waste initiatives and its significance.

Participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk followed by a guided discussion and roundtable conversation. The TED Talk: Eco-Edition series is designed to unite campus and community members for a passionate, respectful, and thought-provoking dialogue about a certain aspect of sustainability. No preparation is necessary and all are welcome to this event!

Sign up here to learn, discuss, and connect with peers in a casual, social setting. Grab your favorite snack and get comfortable! Topics and hosts vary each month.

Nov 15, 2022 07:00 PM

One of our favorite times of the year is almost here… Campus Sustainability Month! Below is a highlight of major events and programs happening this October, though check out the iSEE Sustainability Calendar for the full list. This is the perfect time to take action and show your support for environmental consciousness (and the Illinois Climate Action Plan!). I look forward to seeing you across campus!

• Plastic Reduction Challenge: Are you up to the challenge? From October 3–30, we provide the resources and point system to help you track your plastic use each week and find sustainable alternatives. The point system and fillable grid are attached, and additional information will be sent out prior to the start of the challenge. Take part with this fun and interactive community, and earn the chance to win a sustainability prize pack. It is easy to make a positive impact! Sign up here for the challenge.
   
• Clothing Swap: This is the perfect opportunity to donate your clothing items and update your wardrobe! Join iSEE, SECS, and SSLC for this reduce/reuse event at the Channing Murray Foundation on Tuesday, October 11. Drop off clothes at Channing Murray the day before, or during the event itself from 10AM – 3PM.  All are welcome to drop off and/or participate (it’s free!).
   
• Green Quad Day: Come check out the variety of student, staff, faculty, and community-led environmental groups on Thursday, October 13 from 11AM – 3PM at the Anniversary Plaza (cement area between the Quad and Union). This is a great opportunity to talk with and learn about the many sustainability efforts on campus. The rain date is October 17. If you are interested in representing your organization at a table, sign up here.
   
• Water Taste Test: It’s 2022 – why are we still drinking from plastic bottles? Let’s put our tap water to the test and see, blindly, which water we prefer. Check out the iSEE table at Green Quad Day (above) and see if you can taste a difference between bottled water and tap! In the meantime, take our drinking water behavior survey (and win a chance for a $50 gift card).
   
• Illini Lights Out: Join us to shut off lights in buildings around campus to save energy and reduce the environmental impact of our massive university! Meet at 5:30PM in the lobby of the Foreign Language Building on Friday, October 14 to receive brief instructions before heading out to turn off lights in assigned buildings. Come back to FLB (roughly 6:30) when you are done to turn in your clipboard, get a snack, and pat yourself on the back for helping to save so much energy! Register here, and come by yourself or bring a friend!
   
• Campus Sustainability Celebration: All are welcome to attend this annual event on Monday, October 17 from 3-6PM at NCSA (auditorium and lobby), 1205 W. Clark St., Urbana. The first two hours will be spent in the Auditorium, where we will hear from campus sustainability leaders and from the iCAP Teams. Following the presentations (5-6 PM), each iCAP Team will have a table in the lobby/atrium area for roundtable discussion, suggestions, and a Q&A. Student environmental groups will have tables set up and together, we will enjoy conversation, light refreshments, and cake!
   
• Trash Cleanup: Help keep our campus beautiful! On Wednesday, October 19, meet at Alma Mater at 4PM and join us to collect trash and recycling around campus until 5:30PM.
   
• TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series: Tune in to this edition of iSEE’s ongoing Zoom series on Wednesday, October 26 from 7 – 8PM. Our host this month is Lucy Nifong, a senior in Agricultural and Consumer Economics, iSEE Communications Intern, and Vice Chair Internal of the Student Sustainability Committee. Participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk, followed by a guided discussion and roundtable on Campus Sustainability Month! Sign up here.
   
• Sustainability BINGO: Fill out the iSEE board (attached) for a chance to win prizes! The board (PDF) includes sustainability-related activities and initiatives you can do across campus during Sustainability Month (Oct. 1-31). Make sure you document and let us know which actions you completed using the Google Form to be eligible for the prize drawing.
   
• Have you gotten your office, event, or Greek chapter certified as Green yet? It’s easy to be sustainable! Get certified and be recognized!

The four co-presidents of the Student Sustainability Leadership Council: Danika Ford, Maiah Caise, Owen Jennings, and Jack Reicherts, led the TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series on 8/31/22. Together, we watched a TED Talk by Michael Cyr: "stop thinking recycling is sustainable". Attached is their presentation. 

Savannah Donovan, Environmental Program Manager at Urbana Parks District and President of Environmental Education Association of Illinois, led the TED Talk discussion on Finding Joy in Climate Action. The presentation and video is attached!

TED Talk: Eco Edition Series - Climate Action

All are invited to attend iSEE’s TED Talk: Eco-Edition event, this month hosted by Savannah Donovan, Environmental Program Manager at the Urbana Parks District and President of the Environmental Education Association of IL. The discussion will center on local and global climate action. Participants will view a prerecorded TED Talk followed by a guided discussion. No preparation is necessary!

July 27, 6–7 pm

Meredith Moore • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

Tyler Swanson did a great job hosting May's TED Talk: Eco-Edition event! He led a guided discussion following a pre-recorded TED Talk by Adam Stones: How Cycling can Transform Places. The presentation is attached. 

Jen Walling, Executive Director of the Illinois Environmental Council, hosted the iSEE April TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series around the topic of environmental messaging and policy on April 19th at 7pm. The presentation is attached.

The TED Talk: Eco-Edition series is designed to unite campus and community members for a passionate, respectful, and thought-provoking dialogue about a certain aspect of sustainability. We hope that everyone is as energized by this talk as we are, and ready to engage in another open conversation! Grab your favorite snack and get comfortable! Topics and hosts vary each month.

TED Talk: "Your Brain on Climate Change" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGKVjZ7Dy5E