With this week’s release of Western’s first-ever sustainability strategy, Creating a Sustainable Western Experience, it is expected that students, staff and faculty will begin to see a cultural shift at Western.
Creating a Sustainable Western Experience outlines specific ways sustainability will be enhanced at Western. Through education, research, operations and outreach, Western will become elevated as an institution that embeds sustainability into all aspects of life on campus. There are several ways that this will happen.
AYENI
We, the Sustainability Team at Western, have a lot to say and we are excited to share this with the campus community.
To start with, we have begun tweeting about sustainability related events, tips and updates on campus. Follow us at @GreenWesternU.
In the last four months, we have also launched the first two editions of Western’s quarterly Purple & Green Newsletter. The newsletter contains information on past, present and future events; staff, student and faculty accomplishments; holiday feature pieces; and, sustainability tips, tricks and facts. The newsletter can be accessed through Western’s new sustainability website, sustainability.uwo.ca, which we are excited to have officially launched this week.
The website will allow members of the Western community and the community at large to learn about on-campus initiatives, determine how to reduce one’s environmental impact, read about Western’s sustainability accomplishments, and find out how to get involved on campus and within the community.
This last point is especially important to us.
We want Western to become a community of active citizens who strive to reduce their negative impacts on the environment.
Recently, it has come to our attention that members of the Western community are unsure of how they can get involved on campus. Throughout the next year, there will be several events and initiatives on campus that everyone can get involved in.
- Nominations have been opened up this week for Western’s Annual Green Awards. The Green Awards recognize contributions to sustainability on campus and help raise awareness about great initiatives, projects or habits. Everyone is encouraged to nominate an individual or group that they know of on campus who has made a positive environmental contribution. The selection of the winners will take place in March. Nominations can be made online at sustainability.uwo.ca/green_awards;
- This month, the Green Office Program (GOP) at Western will officially be launched. Piloted during 2012, the GOP encourages sustainability-minded behaviours in staff and faculty by focusing on areas such as energy and climate, food and dining, and waste management within the office. Interested offices can learn more information and register for the program by visiting sustainability.uwo.ca/green_office;
- March 22 is World Water Day. This event is celebrated to focus attention on the importance of freshwater resources and management. Everyone can participate in World Water Day this year by reducing their consumption of water. This can be done by taking shorter showers, only washing full loads of laundry, and turning the tap off when washing the dishes;
- March 23 is World Earth Hour. This is a time when the world joins together to fight climate change. Through the reduction of energy consumption, especially by turning off the lights, Western joins forces with millions around the world each year who also reduce their energy consumption. Everyone can do their part by turning out the lights from 8:30-9:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30;
- A campus cleanup will take place in March. All students, staff and faculty are encouraged to pitch in and help keep Western’s campus clean and beautiful. Keep an eye open for emails and other forms of communication announcing the date of this event;
- During the summer months, Western’s Facilities Management staff will work to reduce campus-wide energy consumption. Those individuals who are still on campus will also be encouraged to do their part by reducing air conditioning usage, turning the lights out when possible, and unplugging all items that are turned off;
- In September, Western’s annual Farmers’ Market will be back again. This is an excellent opportunity for members of the campus community to purchase delicious local foods and treats;
- Sept. 25 is National Tree Day. In 2012, Western partnered with Veterans Memorial Parkway to host a tree planting event. In 2013, a similar event will be held;
- November will see the commencement of Western’s 2013 Rez Powers Down challenge. This challenge is held across residences, in order to encourage the reduction of energy consumption. In 2013, London Hall won the challenge with a whopping 16% reduction in energy consumption.
There are many ways to get involved in sustainability on campus. Along with these events, students can also participate by joining EnviroWestern, usc.uwo.ca/envirowestern/, or the Society of Graduate Students Sustainability Committee, uwo.ca/sogs/Committee/sustainability. Check out each of their websites for more information.
Western’s new forms of sustainability communications, along with this year’s upcoming events and new initiatives, will all serve to enhance the sustainability culture on campus.
The release of Creating a Sustainable Western Experience is just one small step down the sustainability path. We hope that members of the University community will all be encouraged to do their part in order to help ensure that sustainability becomes a part of everyday life at Western.
Beverley Ayeni is Western’s energy and environment manager in facilities Management.
