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  IUPUI Office of Sustainability  
 
February 2017
Latest News
STORY
IU Statewide Sustainability Summit: Bringing Together Sustainability Leaders Across IU
In the face of climate change, biodiversity loss, economic disparity and social inequality, universities play an important role in building a culture of sustainability among students, faculty and staff. The Second Annual Indiana University Statewide Sustainability Summit on Feb. 3 brought together those involved in sustainability from IU campuses across the state to share their ideas, insights and concerns. Topics included academic programs, community outreach, funding and engaging athletics, campus gardens and food pantries. Even lunch time was used to exchange ideas. 

“This sharing of experiences is valuable in learning to navigate the IU system,” Jessica Davis, IUPUI Sustainability Director, said. “Another value is feeling energized and hopeful for the future of sustainability simply by being in a room full of like-minded people.” You can read the full story here.
HIGHLIGHT
IUPUI + Butler at IFSI: Scaling Food Waste Collection on Campus and in the Community
IUPUI Sustainability Director, Jessica Davis, presented alongside Butler University's Sustainability Coordinator, McKenzie Beverage, at the Indiana Food Scrap Initiative (IFSI) meeting on February 9th. Davis and Beverage presented on the $50,000 grant won at the 2016 AASHE Conference to begin a joint composting initiative at IUPUI and Butler University. 

This initiative will begin with both universities sharing the cost of having a trash hauler cart away the food waste from dining halls at both campuses. Beginning in March, other Indianapolis organizations can apply to be on board the composting route to share and ultimately lower the cost of hauling the food waste. The application is available here through April 22nd. 
HIGHLIGHT
Campus Kitchen at IUPUI Welcomes New Leadership Team Members
The Campus Kitchen at IUPUI (CKIUPUI) welcomed two new members to their leadership team this past month. Pictured on the left is the new CKIUPUI Staffing and Volunteer Coordinator, Kelly Moors. Kelly is a senior from Evansville, Indiana. She is studying biology, neuroscience, and French. Pictured on the right is the new CKIUPUI Publicity and Outreach Coordinator, Jacob Roach. Jacob is a sophomore majoring in Tourism Convention Event Management with a certificate in Business and a minor in Film. In addition to working with the Campus Kitchen, Jacob also works at the Indianapolis Zoo. Welcome to the team, Jacob and Kelly!
HIGHLIGHT
Partnership with Herron Students: Redesigning Waste Signage Campus-Wide 
IUPUI Sustainability is partnering with students in Pam Napier's Herron School of Art + Design visual communication class to redesign the trash and recycling signage across IUPUI's campus. Napier's students will be given the challenging yet rewarding task to assess and evaluate the current waste education situation, to implement change, and to educate, inform and inspire IUPUI students and staff through signage. 
STORY
Greening IUPUI Grant Recipient: Environmental Impacts of Home and Community Gardening
Dr. Xianzhong Wang of the IUPUI School of Science Department of Biology was a recipient of the Greening IUPUI Grant, which contributed to the completion of his research on the environmental impacts of home and community gardening. According to Dr. Wang, as urbanization intensifies globally, gardening is increasing in both popularity and extent in urban and suburban regions of the world, thus increasing its impact on the environments. His research discusses the health benefits and risks of home-grown vegetables followed by an in-depth examination of how home and community gardening impacts the biological and physical environments of the world. You can read the full article here.
STORY
IUPUI School of Science: Climate Change Drove Population Decline in New World Before Europeans Arrived
"What caused the swift disappearance of a vibrant Native American agrarian culture that lived in urban settlements from the Ohio River Valley to the Mississippi River Valley in the two centuries preceding the European settlement of North America? In a new study, IUPUI researchers reconstructed and analyzed 2,100 years of temperature and precipitation data -- and point the finger at climate change.
...
The researchers theorize that the catastrophic climate change they observed, which doomed food production, was a primary cause of the disappearance. 'Abrupt climate change can impose conditions like drought. If these conditions are severe and sustained, as we have determined that they became for the Mississippians, it is virtually impossible for societies, especially those based on agriculture, to survive,' said paleoclimatologist Broxton Bird, corresponding author of the new study. 'It's important for us to understand how past civilizations coped with climate change as we encounter things like changing precipitation patterns and temperatures that appear to be rising around the world today.'" You can read the full story here.
HIGHLIGHT
6 Tips for a Green Spring Break
Worrying about the environment or your carbon footprint might be the last thing on your mind when it comes to vacation, but having a green spring break isn't as hard as you think.
  1. Prep your dorm/apartment/house before you leave. Unplug appliances like printers, computer monitors, TV sets, etc., to avoid phantom energy loss. If you’re up to the challenge, defrost and unplug your mini-fridge.
  2. Travel light/carpool. Traveling light should be easy, since spring break often means spending most of your time in on the beach. The lighter your bags, the more fuel-efficient your car will be if you are driving to your destination. Carpooling also cuts down on emissions.
  3. Don’t use the tiny hotel shampoo bottles. Most hotels don’t recycle the empty bottles of complimentary shampoo and conditioner they provide, but an unopened bottle can be left for the next visitor. Simply bring your own hair products. 
  4. Ditch the red Solo cups. Plastic cups are a six or a seven on the numbered recycling scale (depending on what brand you buy) and are not recyclable in certain locations. Additionally, shy away from using glass bottles. Aluminum can be recycled much more efficiently than glass. Or, even better, try using a reusable cup or bottle for the week. 
  5. Reuse your towels. Refrain from leaving your hotel’s towels on the bathroom floor for room service each day. Cleaning your towels uses a ton of water and energy, and many times the towels have only been used only once or twice.
  6. Use organic sunscreen. If you’re going somewhere warm, sunscreen is going to play a key role during the break. Organic sunscreen lacks the chemicals that are detrimental to both your body and the environment. Make sure to recycle the bottle when you’re done!
 
Upcoming Events
March 9 / March 23 / April 6
SSC Sustainability Movie Series
Join the Student Sustainability Council at IUPUI for a series of sustainability documentaries and free pizza. Stay after for a brief discussion on the movie topic. Free and open to the public.

March 9: HOME by Yann Arthus-Bertrand features aerial footage from fifty-four countries and is a depiction of how Earth's problems are all interlinked.

March 23: Blue Gold: World Water Wars examines environmental and political implications of the planet's dwindling water supply.

April 6: Waste Land follows men and women on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro at Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill, who sift through garbage for a living. Artist Vik Muniz produces portraits of the workers and learns about their lives.

When: 4:00 - 6:00 PM
Where: IUPUI Campus Center Theatre
Sunday, March 12 / Sunday, March 26
How to Build a Raised Vegetable Garden Bed
Join us at Agrarian where they will have all of the tools, lumber, hardware and knowledge needed for you to build your very own raised bed for vegetable gardening. You will leave with the raised bed that you have constructed yourself, with the help of their expert supervision. $90/person. Please pre-register for this event here.

When: 5:00 - 7:00 PM 
Where: Agrarian
             1051 E 54th St, Ste B, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Sunday, March 19
Soap Making with Cindy Kitchel
Come learn the cold process of making soap with expert Cindy Kitchel! She will walk you through each step and you will leave with perfectly handcrafted soap. You will also take home a complete kit that Cindy has put together so that you can make your own soap at home. $45/person. Pre-payment is required. You can sign up on Agrarian's website here, or stop by the store to register. 

When: 5:00 - 7:00 PM 
Where: Agrarian
             1051 E 54th St, Ste B, Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
Wednesday, March 22
IUPUI Non-Profit Expo
Are you a student looking for internships, jobs or volunteer opportunities in nonprofits or public service? Or are you looking to meet students interested in working for your organization? Participate in the Nonprofit Expo at IUPUI! The IUPUI Nonprofit Expo brings together nonprofit, government and community partners that offer internship, volunteer and job opportunities to IUPUI students and alumni. Find out more here.

When: 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Where: IUPUI Campus Center, Room 450
Thursday, April 20
IUPUI Fresh Produce Market
Bring a friend and grab some fresh produce at-cost (no price markups!) at the IUPUI Fresh Produce Market. The market offers a variety of local fruits and veggies that change with the season. Chef Roger always has something cooking for lunch at the market, too, made with ingredients available for purchase that day. Stop by to see what the meal of the day will be! There will be no Fresh Produce Market during the month of March due to Spring Break.

In addition to April 20th, the Fresh Produce Market will also be held on May 18th, June 15th, and July 20th.

When: 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Where: Campus Center, 1st Floor Food Court
  Fulfilling the Promise  
 
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IUPUI Office of Sustainability
Lockefield Village, Room 4408
980 Indiana Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46202
 
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