Sustainability

Understanding light-driven production of hydrogen could unlock future insights for harnessing light for chemistry

Megan Maneval — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:52:09 +0000

Understanding light-driven production of hydrogen could unlock future insights for harnessing light for chemistry Megan Maneval Fri, 06/13/2025 - 08:52

Improved understanding of the light-driven production of hydrogen holds the promise not just to make the reaction more efficient in producing a fuel but also to offer a framework to better understand future light-driven chemistries.

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'Fall back in love with nature': A climate forum's call to lead with heart

Megan Maneval — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:24:43 +0000

'Fall back in love with nature': A climate forum's call to lead with heart Megan Maneval Tue, 06/10/2025 - 07:24

Yvaine Ye

Left to right: Graduate student Naia Zulueta, moderator and journalist Lakshmi Singh, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, graduate student John Ecklu and Professor Amanda Carrico. Photos by Casey Cass/�鶹ԭ��.

When asked what she would do if every government around the world became aligned on climate action, with unlimited resources for one year, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, longtime advocate for the rights of the Arctic’s Inuit peoples and Indigenous groups worldwide, didn’t hesitate.

“I would continue doing what I’ve been doing for 30 years but in much more of a full force,” said Watt-Cloutier. “I would build a team and get the younger generation mobilized in bigger ways than we have. They're the ones who have given me a lot of inspiration, and they're fighting for their future.”

Watt-Cloutier delivered a powerful plenary keynote Thursday in Boulder. She was also a featured speaker at the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit held at �鶹ԭ�� in 2022.

The day’s conversation centered on climate change’s disproportionate burden on women, youth, Indigenous people and communities who are historically unseen—and the need to ensure solutions focus on those most affected. NPR Newscaster Lakshmi Singh moderated the discussions.

Watt-Cloutier said she believes that educating people about the human impacts of climate change can bring the world together, even in times of political uncertainty and conflict.

“We're all in this together as a common humanity,” Watt-Cloutier said.

Joined by three other members of the �鶹ԭ�� community, including environmental studies professor Amanda Carrico, environmental human rights graduate student Naia Zulueta and environmental engineering graduate student John Ecklu, Watt-Cloutier and the group outlined three ideas to guide the work toward climate solutions.

“Do things that bring you back to nature, and you will start to protect what you love.”

Turn research data into tools for change

Around the world, about 3.6 billion people are living in areas highly susceptible to climate change. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, those in low-income and marginalized communities bear most of the impact.

A persistent problem is the lack of data for these communities. Zulueta noted that over a third of countries worldwide still lack routine indoor air quality monitoring.

“No data means no visibility, and no visibility means no accountability,” she said.

At the same time, the panelists emphasized that the world has enough data to understand the scale of the climate crisis and to mobilize action. An important step is making that information accessible and actionable.

Ecklu at �鶹ԭ��’s Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience has been working on water well monitoring in Kenya. Prolonged droughts have forced local people to rely heavily on deep water wells called boreholes. But frequent breakdowns in Kenya’s boreholes are severely threatening water access for the communities.

To address the issue, Ecklu and team installed sensors that can detect signs of borehole failure and alert local engineers before wells completely collapse.

“We need to be more intentional about how the data we are collecting can better serve local communities,” he said. “Accessible data is helping communities become more resilient.”

Put a human face to the issues

But statistics alone are not enough. More than once during the event, the group returned to the idea that reframing climate change as a human rights issue is essential.

“We can no longer just think our way through these issues of climate change,” Watt-Cloutier said. “We have to feel our way through, and we've got to connect as a common humanity.”

Sheila Watt-Cloutier gives keynote remarks at the 2025 Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit plenary event in Boulder.

She described how melting Arctic sea ice isn’t just an environmental loss. It’s the disappearance of an entire way of life for Indigenous communities. “The ice is our life force. It’s our highway that brings us out to the supermarkets. It’s our organic farms, which bring us highly nutritious food we need.”

For Watt-Cloutier, one solution is leadership rooted not in anger and force but in empathy and connection.

“We can never underestimate the impact when we take a big action toward something that we feel is so important to us. Don’t let the politics of things stop us,” she added.

She will be speaking more about conscious leadership in her upcoming podcast, A Radical Act of Hope.

Embrace nature-based solutions

Finally, speakers urged a shift away from carbon-heavy, industrial responses to climate change to solutions from nature.

Ecklu highlighted a Colorado-based example along the Yampa River, where restoring wetlands is helping to filter water runoff from nearby farms before it reaches the river. Nature-based solutions like this improve water quality while supporting biodiversity and ecological health.

Watt-Cloutier echoed the importance of reconnecting with nature, which holds the wisdom needed to sustain it.

“In the Arctic, we just absolutely love our land, and Indigenous peoples around the world are the same. We love nature because of what it gives us, and the love allows us to be stronger in our fight to defend our way of life,” she said.

She urged city dwellers to rediscover that bond.

“Do things that bring you back to nature, and you will start to protect what you love.”

At a regional plenary of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, co-sponsored by �鶹ԭ��, speakers called for action that centers human stories, local wisdom and nature-based solutions to break the cycle of environmental injustice.

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Sustainable spinouts: Innovation in action

Megan Maneval — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:49:22 +0000

Sustainable spinouts: Innovation in action Megan Maneval Mon, 06/09/2025 - 09:49

Coloradan

From engineered "living" sidewalks to quantum-fueled leak detection systems, several CU spinouts are bringing Earth-focused breakthroughs to the marketplace.

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Sustainability Council discusses pouring rights, draft food policy and more

Megan Maneval — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:47:16 +0000

Sustainability Council discusses pouring rights, draft food policy and more Megan Maneval Tue, 06/03/2025 - 13:47

The Campus Sustainability Council convened on May 16 to discuss the following topics:

Pouring rights

The campus has entered into contract negotiations with Pepsi for a new pouring rights agreement set to begin on July 1. Under this agreement, only beverages in cans and glass containers would be available across campus, eliminating single-use plastic (SUP) beverage containers. This comprehensive 10-year contract will cover athletics, vending (retail) and all dining services across campus.

As a result of the shift away from plastic, some beverage offerings would be reduced due to their packaging limitations. Pepsi’s broader commitment to global sustainability was a key factor in the decision to move forward with this agreement.

Next steps: Pending contract negotiations, the new agreement would begin July 1.

Draft food policy

Faculty member Peter Newton introduced a draft food policy emphasizing the significant intersection between food choices and sustainability, particularly in relation to the Climate Action Plan. The policy proposes phasing out beef and lamb over the next five years, arguing that meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are unlikely without removing ruminant meats from campus menus.

Newton said the approach is not just about adding plant-based options but about eliminating high-emission items. The proposal does not prescribe specific replacements for beef and lamb. Education around moderation is also a key goal of the policy. Some council members pointed out that with a non-optional meal plan, completely eliminating beef and lamb may not be feasible.

Next steps: The council will compile data from Campus Dining and other sources to model current GHG emissions and project the impact of the proposed changes. Substantially more dialogue is required before any decisions can be made regarding the proposal.

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

Share your sustainability ideas

Vacant council seats

There are currently four open seats on the council—one for a student, two for staff and one for faculty. This is a great opportunity to get involved and help shape campus initiatives. If you're interested or know someone who might be, please fill out or share the application form.

The Campus Sustainability Council recently discussed a pouring rights contract, a draft food policy and efforts to fill four vacant council seats. Learn more about the group's May meeting.

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Village Center Dining receives 'greenest' award

Megan Maneval — Tue, 20 May 2025 14:27:12 +0000

Village Center Dining receives 'greenest' award Megan Maneval Tue, 05/20/2025 - 08:27

Village Center Dining is the recipient of the 2025 Greenest University Restaurant Award from the Green Restaurant Association, a national nonprofit organization. The award recognizes how the dining center has gone above and beyond to adopt sustainable practices.

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Office spring cleaning tips for faculty and staff

Anonymous — Fri, 09 May 2025 18:43:03 +0000

Office spring cleaning tips for faculty and staff Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/09/2025 - 12:43

At the end of another academic year, you may be looking to do some spring cleaning around your office. As you start to declutter desk drawers and other spaces, the Environmental Center has tips to help you make the most of your spring cleaning.

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An apple a day? It's the Boulder way

Megan Maneval — Fri, 09 May 2025 17:16:43 +0000

An apple a day? It's the Boulder way Megan Maneval Fri, 05/09/2025 - 11:16

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

A newly planted apple orchard on the �鶹ԭ�� campus is a nexus of university and community partnerships and will be a living classroom for students and educators.

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Utility Research Lab develops award-winning sustainability tech for 3D printing

Megan Maneval — Fri, 02 May 2025 19:19:38 +0000

Utility Research Lab develops award-winning sustainability tech for 3D printing Megan Maneval Fri, 05/02/2025 - 13:19

Recycling is extremely difficult for objects built with more than one type of plastic. Michael Rivera and the Utility Research Lab team have developed a novel way to disassemble 3D-printed objects for easy recycling.

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5 takeaways from the sustainability summit

Megan Maneval — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:36:23 +0000

5 takeaways from the sustainability summit Megan Maneval Fri, 05/02/2025 - 12:36

Held April 22–23, the 32nd annual Campus Sustainability Summit at �鶹ԭ�� brought together students, faculty, staff and community members to collaborate on advancing sustainability initiatives. The two-day event featured student showcases, leadership panels, workshops and discussions aimed at building resilience and accelerating impact.

Leadership emphasizes collaborative action

In a keynote panel titled "Leadership Perspectives on Building Resilience and Accelerating Impact," Chancellor Justin Schwartz, Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock and Sustainability Research Initiative Executive Director Jane Zelikova discussed the university's commitment to sustainability and the importance of collaborative efforts. They highlighted the current political climate as an opportunity for �鶹ԭ�� to lead in sustainability both locally and nationally.

Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications Jon Leslie

Student innovation takes center stage

The Student Ideas Showcase featured 30 projects addressing various sustainability challenges, with student teams applying creative solutions to real-world environmental issues. RePLA, a project focused on recycling leftover polylactic acid (PLA) from 3D-printing labs into usable items such as buttons, guitar picks and flat sheets for laser cutting, stood out among the entries. The RePLA team won both the Audience Choice Award and the Grand Prize, totaling $2,000.

Other notable winners included:

3D Printed Object Recycling – Innovation Category
Happy Plants – Creativity Category
LOOP – Climate Impact Category
Soft Boundaries and Resilient Communities: �鶹ԭ�� South Design Proposal – Human Impact Category
Riding on Sunshine – Campus Impact Category
Thermoelectric Generator – Overall Runner-Up

Advancing the Climate Action Plan

Sessions during the summit focused on �鶹ԭ��’s Climate Action Plan (CAP), with discussions on strategies to reduce emissions and enhance sustainability across campus. Undergraduate students from the new Climate Action Planning course presented actionable ideas for reducing carbon emissions tied to travel, transportation and waste—ideas that leadership panelists repeatedly referenced throughout the day.

As highlighted in Mile High CRE and the Daily Camera, students are not only proposing bold solutions but also influencing campus priorities and sparking real change. Student action and passion have shaped �鶹ԭ��’s roadmap to carbon neutrality, while fostering cross-campus partnerships critical to implementing those solutions.

Embracing circular economy and resilient food systems

Workshops and panels emphasized the importance of circular economy solutions and resilient food systems. Collaborations between campus departments and community partners were highlighted as essential for implementing these initiatives. The summit facilitated key partnerships aimed at promoting sustainable practices in these areas.

Recognizing sustainability champions

The Campus Sustainability Awards honored individuals and departments demonstrating a commitment to sustainability through innovative programs that reduce resource use and promote social equity. The awards ceremony celebrated the achievements of those contributing to �鶹ԭ��'s sustainability goals.

Want to join the Sustainable Buffs movement?

This year’s Campus Sustainability Summit made it clear: Leadership, innovative ideas and collective action are powering �鶹ԭ��’s path to a more sustainable future. Whether you're a student with a big idea, a faculty member exploring climate solutions in the classroom or a staff member ready to collaborate—there’s a place for you in this movement.

Explore student projects, get involved in ongoing initiatives and find your path to action.

Together, we can Be Sustainable—Be Boulder.

In collaboration with campus partners, CU Environmental Center has produced a Campus Sustainability Summit annually or semi-annually since 1994 for the campus community.

Read up on the recent Campus Sustainability Summit and big topics at the gathering, ranging from collaborative action to student recognition, resilient food systems and more.

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�鶹ԭ�� driving sustainability forward with 1st electric trash truck

Elizabeth Lock — Wed, 30 Apr 2025 19:11:45 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� driving sustainability forward with 1st electric trash truck Elizabeth Lock Wed, 04/30/2025 - 13:11

�鶹ԭ�� is set to receive its first battery-electric trash truck, made possible by a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The CDPHE approved the university’s application to the Clean Fleet Vehicle and Technology grant program, awarding $208,500 toward the purchase of the truck, which costs $500,937.

Facilities Management signed the purchase order on April 17, with the truck expected to be delivered within 12–18 months. This electric trash truck will be the first of its kind in Facilities Management’s fleet, replacing one of the existing diesel trucks, which will be decommissioned in accordance with the grant’s stipulations. The purchase builds on other efforts to electrify the overall campus fleet, including in Transportation Services where four electric Buff Buses are in service, with another four set to arrive by the end of 2025.

"This is an important step for �鶹ԭ�� in our commitment to sustainability and reducing our carbon footprint,” Chancellor Justin Schwartz said. “The introduction of the battery electric trash truck not only aligns with our Climate Action Plan goals but also sets a precedent for future advancements in our fleet."

Currently, the solid waste and recycling collections fleet at �鶹ԭ�� consists of three box trucks, two rear load trucks and two front load trucks. The new EV truck will primarily be used to collect cardboard, which will then be delivered to the Boulder County Recycling Center.

“�鶹ԭ�� aims to integrate sustainability into every aspect of campus life, from preparing our students for sustainability careers to groundbreaking research to our operations,” Vice Chancellor for Sustainability Andrew Mayock said. “The ongoing electrification of our campus fleet is just one of many examples of how we’re taking action now to achieve our vision of a carbon-neutral future for the campus.”

Constructed by Battle Motors, based in New Philadelphia, Ohio, the truck boasts a single-charge operating range of 130 highway miles or 150 city miles. The addition of this truck is expected to reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by approximately 1,200 gallons. While the electric truck will look similar to the existing trash trucks, it will feature an enhanced safety system that makes noise when turning and driving in reverse.

“The CU community eagerly anticipates the arrival of this innovative vehicle, marking a significant milestone in �鶹ԭ��'s journey toward a greener future,” Vice Chancellor for Infrastructure and Resilience Chris Ewing said. “This initiative underscores �鶹ԭ��'s dedication to sustainability and sets a positive example for other institutions to follow.”

The announcement of the electric trash truck purchase follows several other recent sustainability initiatives:

�鶹ԭ�� is set to receive its first electric trash truck, expected to arrive within 12 to 18 months. It will replace a diesel truck and reduce annual diesel fuel consumption by approximately 1,200 gallons.

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Sustainability

Understanding light-driven production of hydrogen could unlock future insights for harnessing light for chemistry

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'Fall back in love with nature': A climate forum's call to lead with heart

Turn research data into tools for change

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Sustainable spinouts: Innovation in action

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5 takeaways from the sustainability summit

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Recognizing sustainability champions

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�鶹ԭ�� driving sustainability forward with 1st electric trash truck

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