University of Wisconsin–Madison
The Greek community is a prominent feature of the UW–Madison campus. Over 4,000 students belong to the dozens of fraternity and sorority organizations, and many more participate in Greek life social events. These same events, however, are notorious for producing a lot of waste, particularly the ubiquitous SOLO cups and aluminum cans (formerly filled, no …
On a chilly, windy afternoon in late September, a total of 28 student orgs, campus offices and units, and community partners set up tables in a grand circle on Gordon lawn to share their respective approaches to sustainability. Organized by University Housing, Sustain-a-Bash’s purpose is to inform, inspire, provide resources, and cultivate a sustainability …
“The University of Wisconsin–Madison will be a living model for sustainability, exemplifying values and actions that demonstrate our commitment to stewardship of resources, respect for place and the health and well-being of the broader community, now and for the future.” UW–Madison Sustainability Initiative Task Force Final Report (2010) Of the guiding lights for sustainability at …
Reusable water bottles are more and more visible on the UW–Madison campus. They peek out from backpacks and balance on Terrace tables. They bear scrapes, scuffs, and stickers from all over the world. And with the proliferation of upgraded water fountains in university buildings, it’s easier than ever to refill one’s bottle with cold, filtered …
Katie Piel is a rising senior studying environmental studies and communication arts with a certificate in business. She began her internship for the Office of Sustainability in January 2018 as part of the Green Office team, which trains offices around campus in sustainable practices. She believes in the power of individual action in the fight …
For the past six years, UW–Madison doctoral students Tom Bryan and Tim Lindstrom have designed hands-on activities that use the campus as a “living laboratory” for sustainability. Bryan brings a rich research background in food systems, which is a strong motivating force in his personal life as well as his work on campus sustainability. Lindstrom …
As summery June weather arrived in Madison, the Office of Sustainability welcomed a talented new group of student interns to work on campus sustainability projects over the course of the 2018-2019 school year. The eleven students joining the Student Intern program come from a variety of backgrounds and majors, but they all share a passion …
“Zero waste”—it’s an idea that can feel slightly naïve in our consumerist culture. Nearly everything we do produces waste of some kind. And when large groups of people gather for an all-day event—say, hundreds of attendees at the 2018 Earth Day Conference, hosted by the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and held at Monona Terrace—the …
It has become commonplace to categorize climate change as a “wicked problem”. It is “wicked” because, in addition to its profound complexity as an atmospheric phenomenon, preventing climate change from causing catastrophic damage will require unprecedented global cooperation. Sadly, it is also commonplace to feel doubtful that world governments will succeed in this feat of …
This marks a new series of newsletter articles penned by our own Office of Sustainability interns. Our first article is by Carolyn Hamburg, who is a rising senior studying political science and environmental studies with a certificate in education policy. During Summer and Fall 2017, she worked as an Office of Sustainability intern, and will be …