From making a commitment to carbon neutrality to transforming the regional economy with green investments, Earth Day is every day in Pitt.
To celebrate Earth Day 2021, Pittwire once again picks up stories that highlight the accomplishments of the Pitt community and its continued commitment to sustainability. Read the stories of our sustainability champions, green research, and student efforts to make the world a better place.
Pitts Commitments, Research, and Accountability
Among the most recent awards, Pitt received a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in the Sustainability Tracking, Scoring and Scoring System of Higher Education. Three differentiators were identified among Pitt’s numerous sustainability initiatives: the lowest total energy use per square foot in fiscal 2020, the new course against black racism for all freshmen, and Pitt’s Cool Food Pledge to reduce food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030.
ICYMI: The University of Pittsburgh is committed to carbon neutrality by 2037, Pitt’s 250th anniversary.
Pitt Research finds new green investment keys for transforming the regional economy
A non-partisan team led by Leslie Marshall at the Pitt Center for Sustainable Business has created a roadmap for climate-friendly industrial growth over the next decade to create jobs and economic prospects across the Ohio Valley.
The Beltzhoover Floor Sisters
From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: TaRay Kelly, a member of Pitt’s Groundskeeping Team, and her sister Raynise are building a business, Soil Sisters Nursery, on the fertile soil of their family roots – an empty lot near their grandparents’ home.
Pitt Expands Partnerships with Companies to Support Sustainability Goals
The partnership will help Pitt cut costs and improve its fleet of alternative energy vehicles, which will further support the university’s commitment to make the campus carbon neutral by 2037.
Solar Power Deal Accelerates Pitt’s Sustainability Progress
A new solar power contract brings Pitt closer to its commitment as a climate-neutral campus by 2037.
Sustainable podcast on sustainability
Hosted by the Pitt Center for Sustainable Business, the series examines the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic with an international reach and a global perspective.
New dashboards for the energy and water usage intensity of buildings
Pitt Sustainability is proud to introduce two new interactive sustainability dashboards that focus on the energy and water usage of university buildings from 2014 to 2019.
Pittsburgh Campus Certified as Bee Campus USA
During Pollinator Week 2020, bees, butterflies, bugs and bats pollinated on Pennsylvania’s newest Bee Campus USA. And did you know that insect pollinators are worth a whopping $ 34 billion to the US economy? A study by Pitt engineers explained.
Sustainability efforts of the students
The student project ranks second in the EPA RainWorks Challenge
The competition challenged students to apply the principles of green infrastructure design to universities across the country.
11 students will be named 2020 Millennium Fellows
The University of Pittsburgh welcomed its second cohort of undergraduate students to the Millennium Fellows program – a semester-long undergraduate leadership initiative that focused on ways to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Student-developed recycling campaign finds its way to Pittsburgh City Hall
A popular course at the College of Business Administration challenges students to become a marketing agency and work with real clients like Honda Automobiles, the Central Intelligence Agency, and Major League Baseball. Last spring, the students developed a recycling campaign for the city of Pittsburgh.
Next Generation
Pitt Med is creating polycarbine, a medical plastic recycling system, for its third year and won first place in the 2020 Randall Family Big Idea Competition for its salvage company.
Earth day 2021 events
The Pitt community also helps host and promote Earth Day events, both in the Pittsburgh area and virtually.
Pitt IT has several Earth Day events that encourage people to work digitally through Adobe programs: Adobe Acrobat Skill Builder: Go Paperless and Adobe XD, and Adobe Stock: Design for the Future. (Also see how Pitt reduced printer usage during the pandemic.)
Pitt Sustainability also hosts a variety of local virtual and in-person events, including activities with the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and Allegheny Counties, cleanup programs, and more
The 14th annual Student Sustainability Symposium will take place on Friday, April 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Attend the Center for Sustainable Business Implementing the Marshall Plan for Central America: Opportunities and Challenges next week on April 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. One of the speakers is CB Bhattacharya, Major Bill Asked, US Department of Energy and RAND Pittsburgh executives, and more.
Lastly, we have 10 tips on how to celebrate Earth Day in your own home every day.
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