Sustainability

Note: This event has been moved to the Nathan Marsh Pusey Room in the Warch Campus Center due to the expectation of rain this afternoon. Masking and other Honor the Pledge protocols will be in place.

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to witness President Laurie Carter sign a Climate Commitment at 4 p.m. Friday. The Climate Commitment is sponsored by Second Nature, a national organization that works with colleges and universities across the country to help accelerate climate action.

“I am impressed by Lawrence’s longstanding commitment to foster a culture of sustainability, from the work of the Sustainability Steering Committee, to the robust student engagement with initiatives like recycling and the SLUG garden, to the campus solar panels that generate 30,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year, to the Net Zero Björklunden project,” President Carter said in a message to campus earlier this week. “I also believe it is time for Lawrence to take the next step.”

The signing ceremony comes on Earth Day. It will take place at 4 p.m. in front of Main Hall. If rain remains in the forecast, the ceremony will be moved to the Nathan Marsh Pusey Room in the Warch Campus Center. (If indoors, masking and other pandemic protocols will be in place.)

“I am excited for Lawrence to join the institutions across the state and country that have made this vital commitment,” President Carter said in her message. “It is an important reflection of our values and the university’s dedication to a sustainable future. A key component of the Climate Commitment is the development of a comprehensive Climate Action Plan for Lawrence, which includes carbon neutrality and resilience.”

Treats will be available after the ceremony.

Join the LU Environmental Organization at the recycling fair: A fun event where students and staff can become their most sustainable selves by learning to compost and recycle electronics, batteries, plastic, glass, and metal here at Lawrence! 

At the event, you can play games to win fun prizes including snacks, bath products, coffee and tea, and much, much more!  

The event will be held in the Mead Witter room of the Warch Campus Center on Saturday, Feb 19 from 9:30-1 pm.  See you there!

Lawrence is once again participating in Campus Race to Zero Waste, a cross-country competition where college campuses measure their waste output to see who can produce the least. Starting now and running through the end of winter term, please do your best to reduce your waste footprint with actions like reducing the amount that you print, use green clamshells in Andrews Commons, and just think more carefully about what you throw away.

The piece “One World” tells the story of how LU student Jim Yang (Env. Studies and Music Performance major and founder of LU Environmental Organization) was inspired to participate in environmental sustainability work. After breathing in exhaust fumes from vehicles on the street, Jim realized that the health of our planet is connected to our health.

Composed by Taylor Hallman

Performed by Jim Yang

SLUG will be selling fresh produce every Wednesday morning from 9-12 AM or as long as supplies last. The sale will be held in front of the SLUG house (the blue house located on Boldt Way, across from International House).

There will be changing offerings every week depending on what is ready to harvest in the garden. Email madison.layton@lawrence.edu with any questions you may have.