Are you a freshman, transfer student or resident on campus? On the 109 individuals who took the SUSTAINABILITY SURVEY, nearly 70% were staff, 24% students and less 6% faculty members. Full results are available here.Welcome to the “Sustainability at the U” module
Check out this video on all the great green features our beautiful campus has to offer, and hear what President Frenk has to say about Sea Level Rise in our region.In this module you will learn about renewable energy, water conservation, and proper recycling in Miami Dade. After viewing the video, please take this short survey. It will help you learn how to play your part at keeping our campus eco-friendly.To inquire about all the things you can do to make your campus more sustainable, reach out to Green U, our Office of Sustainability.
If you want to get even more involved and leave a green legacy on campus,
contact our Student Government ECO Board“Sustainability at the U” for the Canes community
The winners of our SUSTAINABILITY SURVEY this year are Emma Miller, Emily, Eachus, Meredith Camel, Myriam Barba, Rachel Collins, Andrea Ruiz, Nobuyo Nakamura, and Ruth Goodin
Below are some of the very original answers to the last question we received: "What extra steps do you take in your daily life to lower your ecological footprint?"
Everyday at work, you will see me cutting used printing paper and stapling them into blocks. I used them to routinely jot down notes
I limit clothing purchase
Our household has only one car
I don't wrap fresh produce in plastic bags
I limit AC in summer at 82 and I have an electric powered sailboat.
I increase my remote work hours to drive less
I keep my showers down to 10 minutes or less
I compost vegetable scraps and coffee grounds
I forage for fruit from street and backyard trees
The observations made from the results are as follows:
- Answers to local sustainability related matters (4 questions) were 77% accurate.
- Answers to workplace sustainability related best practices (7 questions) were 74% accurate.
- General questions for other topics like Water Conservation, Sustainable Food and Environmentally Preferred Products (7 questions) were 72% accurate.
- Questions on international policies, climate science and sustainable development goals received a much lower score: 61% accuracy (6 questions)
The overall average of accurate answers to the survey was 71%, 2% less than last year'survey.
University of Miami student, faculty, or staff, recently completed the Sustainability Culture Assessment survey. The responses informed us onwhat we're doing right and what we need to improve upon. The best five answers to the open-ended question are below, participants won solar chargers and green prizes, thanks to them for their honest input!
We invite you to watch this video and take the Green U survey to assess your knowledge of sustainability! Here are the winners of the 2021 Green U Survey: Always question "Do I need it?" I live a simple life that use the resources without abusing them. I turn air condition off during the winter. I avoid food that comes in individually packaged servings. I thrift my clothes. I hang-dry some clothes instead of using the dryer. I use biodegradable materials (dish sponge, toothbrushes, wash clothes), essential oils instead of perfumes, homemade deodorant, using oil instead of commercial lotion, homemade fabric softener, and I cook at home. I use veggie cartons as potters for gardening. I use wooden tooth & hairbrushes. Might be gross but I don't flush the toilet often when it's only liquid to save water. I always take quick showers, and I use rainwater to water my plants. :) On the 201 individuals who took the 2021 Green U Survey, 47% were staff, 41% students and less 9% faculty members. Full results are available here. In 2019, the University of Miami earned a Gold rating on the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE). By taking this survey, you will help us improve our 2022 rating. The ultimate goal of this survey is to learn how UM can do a better job in educating its community about sustainability and environmental issues. The best answers to the open question will receive one of the following prizes: a bike, a hammock, a beach chair, or a cooler—courtesy of Coca-Cola Florida!
Andrea Ruiz, Noah Ross, Denise Hassinger, Thomas Champney, Melissa Winch, Marta Pavelka, Kandra Velz
Thank you all for participating in this important assessment, and here are some of the most original ideas that you listed:
I don't buy lunch in places that use single use plastic containers.
I ask professor not to print documents to reduce paper usage.
I breathe deeply.
The observations made from the results are as follows:
- Answers to local sustainability related matters (2 questions) were 88% accurate.
- Answers to workplace sustainability related best practices (7 questions) were 80% accurate.
- General questions for other topics like Water Conservation, Sustainable Food and Environmentally Preferred Products (8 questions) were 78% accurate.
- Questions on international policies, climate science and sustainable development goals received a much lower score: 59% accuracy (6 questions)
The overall average of accurate answers to the survey was 76%, 4% more than last year'survey.
TAKE the 2020 ECO Pledge! All faculty, staff, alumni and returning students are invited to take the ECO pledge. The Covid 19 pandemic has taught us new ways to be more mindful of our individual ecofootprint. Don't forget to share your experience with us on Facebook adn Instagram. Now that the holiday season has begun, we all are starting to think about what the new year will bring and how we can better ourselves and the world around us. As you reflect on this year and how you can make a positive difference, try starting at the root of everything—our environment. From swearing off single-use plastic to committing to incorporating plant-based meals into our diets, there are small changes we can make that together would have a big impact. While the change we can create pales in comparison to the necessary changes needed at a large-scale level, we can still foster a healthier and more sustainable planet for future generations. Take a look at our video below to see what staff, students, and faculty at the University of Miami are doing. So as you start to think of your new year’s resolution, let small lifestyle changes help you think big. Take our ECO Pledge and join over a hundred of your colleagues and friends who are committing to changing the world and our future. The first 20 pledges received a Sustanability Starter Kit! and here are the winners: Marisa Hightower Staff/Faculty Kyle Paige Staff/Faculty Results: Answers % 1- I will walk, bike or telecommute whenever possible and use mass transit, carpool or an alternative fuel efficient vehicle for long distances. Learn more. 12.09% 2- I will switch to a plant based diet or opt for meat and dairy free food at least 4 days a week. Learn more. 7.44% 3- I will enjoy Nature by visiting one of our many local, State and National Parks at least once a month. Learn more. 10.23% 4- I will reduce the waste I generate, I will follow the Miami Dade County guidelines for proper recycling, and will compost my food waste. Learn more. 13.95% 5- I will bring and use a reusable bottle, a reusable bag, a mug, reusable utensils, and a food container to work. I will avoid single use plastic whenever possible. Learn more. 13.95% 6- I will help a local non-profit organization to make my community more inclusive, more equitable and food secure. Learn more. 6.98% 7- I will plant native trees in my backyard, my neighborhood and will join one of the non-profit organizations restoring urban canopy in Miami Dade County. Learn more. 6.51% 8- I will conserve water in every way possible, following Miami Dade County recommendations. Learn more. 10.23% 9- I will save energy at work and at home. Learn more. 12.09% 10- I will start a food garden or help a community garden. Learn more. 6.51%
Jessica Colon Student
Lola Stevenson Student
Frances Balbin Staff/Faculty
Valeria Londono Student
Alba Carreras-Vazquez Staff/Faculty
Agatha Levay Staff/Faculty
Lillian Diaz-Warshaw Staff/Faculty
Jerri Halgowich Staff/Faculty
Max Bunster Staff/Faculty
Natalie Bixby Staff/Faculty
Nina Castro Staff/Faculty
Lisa Merritt Staff/Faculty
Jennifer Laine Staff/Faculty
Beatrice Nessl-Brandow Staff/Faculty
Leyna Stemle Student
Steven Moore Staff/Faculty
Reece Haire Student
Shirley Godbold Staff/Faculty
Congratulations to our three prize winners: Hildee Wilson, Talula Thibault and Elizabeth Balbin. Q 23: "Give an example of how you can apply sustainability in your lifestyle, your home or your workplace". Here are some excerpts from the answers we recieved: On the 352 individuals who took the SUSTAINABILITY SURVEY, nearly 60% were staff, nearly 30% students and a very small portion were faculty members. Watch this short video, and take the interactive quiz to learn about the many ways you can get involved in making our campus and your workplace more sustainable.
Green U New Sustainability Literacy Quiz - staff - Sustainability 101 Short - pledge
The observations made from the results are as follows:
- Answers to local sustainability related matters (5 questions) were mostly accurate (over 90%)
- Answers to workplace sustainability related best practices (7 questions) were also mostly accurate (over 90%)
- General questions for other topics like Water Conservation, Sustainable Food and Environmentally Preferred Products received an average of 70% accuracy (3 questions)
- Questions on international policies, climate science and sustainable development goals received a much lower score: 59% accuracy (8 questions)
The overall average of accurate answers to the survey was 73%.
We are planning to send a new survey every year to follow up on sustainability educational outreach impact on our campuses.
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Click on the "more" links to learn how to implement your pledge:
1- I will walk, bike or telecommute whenever possible and use mass transit, carpool or an alternative fuel efficient vehicle for long distances. Learn more.
2- I will switch to a plant based diet or opt for meat and dairy free food at least 4 days a week. Learn more.
3- I will enjoy Nature by visiting one of our many local, State and National Parks at least once a month. Learn more.
4- I will reduce the waste I generate, I will follow the Miami Dade County guidelines for proper recycling, and will compost my food waste. Learn more.
5- I will bring and use a reusable bottle, a reusable bag, a mug, reusable utensils, and a food container to work. I will avoid single use plastic whenever possible. Learn more.
6- I will help a local non-profit organization to make my community more inclusive, more equitable and food secure. Learn more.
7- I will plant native trees in my backyard, my neighborhood and will join one of the non-profit that restoring urban canopy in Miami Dade County. Learn more.
8- I will conserve water in every way possible, following Miami Dade County recommendations. Learn more.
9- I will save energy at work and at home. Learn more.
10- I will start a food garden or help a community garden. Learn more.