UW–Madison pursuing Fair Trade University designation

In honor of Fair Trade Month (October), the University of Wisconsin–Madison is pursuing designation as a Fair Trade University by the organization Fair Trade Campaigns.  This initiative aims to critically address the University’s role as a global consumer. Fair Trade Campaigns is a grassroots organization that was founded in the United Kingdom in the early …

In Case You Missed It: Alex Edmans on “Grow the Pie”

In our In Case You Missed It series (also known as ICYMI), student interns from the Office of Sustainability offer reflective reports on sustainability-related events and lectures at UW–Madison. The following entry is by Savannah Holt. Sustainability and the economy are interconnected.  Business practices provide an opportunity for companies to connect their purpose with environmental …

In Case You Missed It: Amplifying BIPOC Voices in Sustainability Series

In our In Case You Missed It series (also known as ICYMI), student interns from the Office of Sustainability offer reflective reports on sustainability-related events and lectures at UW–Madison. The following entry is by Brooke Bowser. The fight for environmental justice and a sustainable world is inextricably linked with the fight for social justice. This …

Where are they now? Brooke Bowser interviews Leah Johnson

In our “Where Are They Now?” series, current student interns interview former interns about their experience at the Office of Sustainability, and in particular how that experience has helped them since graduation. In the following entry, Brooke Bowser relates her conversation with Leah Johnson. Leah Johnson understands that sustainability can take on many different forms. …

Focus on Energy and Office of Sustainability team up to offer discounted light bulbs and water fixtures

Did you know many appliances and electronics use electricity even when turned off or in standby mode? These “vampire loads” use an estimated 6% of an average household’s electric use, wasting up to $100 a year. But they don’t have to be that frightening! This Halloween, ward off energy vampires and phantom loads by installing …

Office of Sustainability welcomes expertise in energy and resource management

The UW–Madison Office of Sustainability strengthened its capacity to advance sustainability across campus with the hire of two staff members in early 2020. Josh Arnold now serves as Campus Energy Advisor, while Travis Blomberg serves as Campus Resource Coordinator. “The expertise that Josh and Travis each bring is a significant benefit for the institution,” said …

UW–Madison supports largest solar development in Dane County

Celebrating a year of sustainability efforts at UW–Madison

The Office of Sustainability has released its latest report compiling UW–Madison sustainability highlights from the last year. What can readers expect to find? UW–Madison students, faculty, and staff engage in an impressively wide range of sustainability-related activities, including institutional initiatives and programming, teaching and research, and many forms of outreach and community-building. Some of these …

The Sustainability Advisory Council wants to hear from you

On October 7, 2020, the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability will hold the first meeting of the Sustainability Advisory Council (SAC). The SAC will provide recommendations to the Provost and the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration on how to align the university’s mission, current campus strategic plans, the 2010 Sustainability Initiative Task Force Report, the …

Office of Sustainability interns launch new podcast

  In the face of COVID-19 and the shift to remote work during the summer session, Office of Sustainability (OS) interns had to get creative about engaging the campus community. With Smart Restart approaching in September, interns considered how to create a safe, virtual space where they could hold regular conversations about sustainability in spite …