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  1. Illinois Monarch Project- SIGN THE PLEDGE!

    Associated Project(s): 

    The Illinois Monarch project is an organization that collaborates with both public and private partners, interacting on all levels for the protection and the enhancement of habitats that support monarch butterflies and other pollinators. This project calls for the involvement from individuals to whole cities, with the goal of adding 150 million new milkweed stems to Illinois’ landscape by 2038!

    As an individual, I call onto you to also sign this pledge and get involved to support our state’s insect!

    See here for a link to the pledge:

    http://illinoismonarchproject.org/pledge/

     

    In addition to signing the pledge, I encourage you to also take the time to look deeper into all the great work this organization has done and plans to do: http://illinoismonarchproject.org/

     

  2. Solar thermal at ARC

    Associated Project(s): 

    The meter tracking production of the solar thermal panels on the ARC stopped working.  When investigated, we found that the controller was replaced a while back and the incorrect program was loaded. This caused the HW MBTU TOT to no longer totalize. The programming is being fixed and should be totalizing properly. Next month we should see good data resulting from this repair.

  3. Campus Sustainability Celebration

    iSEE and F&S are excited to invite you to the Campus Sustainability Celebration 2020! This is an annual event that is especially exciting this year with the signing ceremony of the Illinois Climate Action Plan (iCAP) 2020, (once every five years) and the presentation of energy conservation and Freezer Challenge awards. Everyone is invited and encouraged to stay afterward for a social-hour!

    Campus Sustainability Celebration

    October 20, 3 pm • Map

    Meredith Moore • Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment

    baseline_wifi_black_18dp.png This opportunity is available online.

  4. 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 

    Mini-Talks on the Economics of Sustainability

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

    Isaac Wisthuff • Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics

    baseline_wifi_black_18dp.png This opportunity is available online.

  5. 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.

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. Update to the University Bicycle Ordinance

    Associated Project(s): 

    The Univeristy Counsel made a slight update to the definition of bicycle, which has been updated to the University Bicycle Ordinance.

    1. Bicycle. Any one-, two-, three-, or four-wheeled device propelled by human power upon which any person may ride, not including wheelchairs or similar devices, but also including class 1 low-speed electric bicycles, as defined by the Illinois Vehicle Code, 625 ILCS 5/1-140.10. For Use of In-Line Skates, Roller Skates, Skateboards, e-Scooters, and Self-Balancing Personal Transportation Devices, refer to CAM FO-35.
  11. 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. 

  12. 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

     

  13. 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) >>>)

  14. Mask Recycling in F&S Quarterly Report

    Associated Project(s): 

    SINGLE-USE MASK RECYCLING NOW AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS
    F&S partnered with TerraCycle to collect disposable masks for recycling. The best locations for collection boxes were determined through collaboration with departments and units. The program is offered at no cost to individual units and is supplemented through Student Sustainability Committee (SSC) funding.

  15. Solar Farm 2.0 in F&S Quarterly Report

    Associated Project(s): 

    SOLAR FARM 2.0 CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY
    Construction started on the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign’s Solar Farm 2.0 in August, with a commercial operation date expected for early 2021. The new 54-acre, 12.1 megawatt (MWdc) solar array is located north of Curtis Road, between First Street and U.S. Route 45, next to the Village of Savoy. Once completed, the solar farm will produce 20,000 MWh annually, almost tripling the university’s existing on-site renewable energy generation. Through a combination of utility-scale installations, integrated facility rooftop arrays, and wind power purchase agreements, clean power usage at the U of I will increase to more than 52,000 MWh per year, which is over 10 percent of the campus electrical demand. Faculty have already identified research projects that will use the Solar Farm 2.0 installation, primarily related to the pollinator-supportive plants under and around the panels.

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