What's greener @UMBC this year? Peace out 2014!

Another year has passed by, and it's time to reflect on how far we have come, and where we will go next. As we innovate new ways to improve UMBC's environmental impact, we have seen more students, faculty and staff join forces to improve our campus, and the planet. Here's a quick glimpse at some of the updates to UMBC's sustainability efforts this year (visit us online to find out more about each initiative!):

What's greener @UMBC this year: 2014?

UMBC's Green Office Program launched campus-wide this spring, to expand past the initial pilot stage. The 3 step process to Green Office certification includes a 1 hour liaison training, a simple checklist of green choices, and a toolkit of resources. A Green Office Training is offered once per semester during lunch.

UMBC's Eco-Ambassadors program launched this fall. The team of 10 students serve as environmental change agents, spreading an ethic of sustainability across campus by bringing sustainability presentations, tabling, and outreach to programs, groups, offices, and classes throughout the campus community. They share helpful information, resources, and tools to help everyone live better, and greener!

UMBC's Climate Action Steering Committee: Launched this fall, the group serves as a permanent replacement to the initial Climate Change Task Force and is structured to facilitate UMBC's transition to carbon neutrality. The committee is comprised of representatives from each college and division who advocate for and advise sustainability efforts across campus. The four groups working to reduce emissions are Energy, Waste/Recycling, Transportation and Education/Service.

UMBC's Energy Conservation Campaign: This fall we plastered campus with a new campaign largely designed by students and overseen by staff in commonvision, UMBC Creative Services and Communications offices- with billboards and iNet video advertisements showcasing why students are taking action to save energy and protect our environment.

On top of all that, we can boast this year's new LEED Green Buildings: Performing Arts and Humanities Building and the Apartment Community Center, a new community garden, newly protected forest, Tree Campus recognition, and millions of dollars of investment in lighting/conservation efficiency upgrades. We had large festivals to celebrate sustainability each semester with Harvest Fest and EcoFest. We have gotten hundreds of people to commit to the Green Pledge.

Coming soon:

Recyclemania: For the 8th year, UMBC will compete in the annual intercollegiate competition. A kickoff event, weekly tabling, and a new crowdsourced waste awareness campaign will bring the environmental impact of consumption and waste to light, alongside easy solutions and green alternatives.

Carpool Commuter Lot: This spring, Lot 4 will be reserved for carpooling commuters until 10:30am, everyday. UMBC encouraging more carpoolers will means parking spots, less pollution, and less traffic!

Climate Action Plan: This year we will be reviewing our climate action plan, our emissions reductions goals, devising new strategies to make further progress in all the ways we impact the planet!

Earth Day: We are excited to celebrate Earth Day(April 22nd) with a week long series of events. From an amazing author guest speaker, to volunteer events, to EcoFest the great annual festival, to a symposium on Climate Change and Beautiful Earth.

I'm also looking forward to the New Green Roof on the Administration Building, a greener watershed thanks to much needed repairs to library pond, and the many green upgrades, retrofits, and building in the works!

Sustainability has been repeatedly featured in the Retriever Weekly campus paper:

It's wonderfully exciting to take in the amazing progress we have made, and we hope you'll join our efforts, green your office, invite eco-ambassadors to share their resources and information with all the groups you are a part of on campus! Please join me in thanking and supporting our two interns, ten eco-ambassadors, and everyone who serves on groups and committee devoted to various aspects of campus sustainability.

Way to get involved include:

- enjoying our events

- joining a group that greens our campus

- greening the areas you are a part of

- updating the way you live, work, study, and play

Together we can ensure UMBC has a positive impact on our precious planet, when we are mindful, thoughtful and considerate about our choices.

Wishing you all peace, joy, and gratitude during the holidays and throughout the New Year!

Yours,
Tanvi Gadhia, Sustainability Coordinator

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posted	December 18, 2014
sponsor	Sustainability Matters at UMBC
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What's greener @UMBC this year? Peace out 2014!

What's greener @UMBC this year: 2014?

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