Blog - Page 2 of 48 - Office of Sustainability

Announcements

Auburn University Receives STARS Silver Rating

Originally published by The Newsroom at Auburn University on April 22nd, 2022 On Earth Day 2022, Auburn University is celebrating the achievement of receiving a STARS Silver Rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, or AASHE. Auburn earned a…

Mike KenslerApril 28, 2022

Director's Corner

Earth Day and the Overview Effect

“When we look down at the Earth from space we see this amazing, indescribably beautiful planet. It looks like a living, breathing organism. But it also at the same time looks extremely fragile.” Space Shuttle and International Space Station astronaut Ron Garan, Jr. Photo Credit: NASA Perspective. Our…

Mike KenslerApril 18, 2022

SDG11 Sustainability Auburn Alumni Affiliate

Alumni Feature: Alicia Valenti

By Alicia Valenti. In today’s world, dire articles about the speed and effects of climate change seem inescapable, and global warming can feel like such an insurmountable challenge that any effort to mitigate it is futile. Our home communities–whether you’re in Alabama or Alaska, Birmingham or Boston–are a great place…

ContributorApril 6, 2022

SDG15 Sustainability in Action

Campus Changemaker: Sarah Lessard

By Grace Reilein. When exploring the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is important to note that many distinct factors allow for a goal to be reached. There cannot solely be work in the oceans, or in agriculture, but there must be collaboration between policymakers, companies, organizations, and the citizens…

ContributorApril 6, 2022

Books & Ball Caps

Books & Ball Caps: A Sand County Almanac // The West Michigan Whitecaps

Mike recommends reading A Sand County Almanac by Aldo Leopold and shares the story behind his West Michigan Whitecaps ball cap.

ContributorApril 4, 2022

Guest Posts SDG10 SDG15 SDG17

Sustainable for Who? Decisions, Development, & Destruction

By Ryan Thomson. What some people view to be progress, others call ruin. And visa-versa. The line between development and destruction has largely become a matter of perspective. You do need not to be a fervent conservationist or “tree hugger” to prefer an untamed river to a glass condominium. Conversely,…

ContributorApril 4, 2022

Director's Corner SDG15

A Land Ethic, an Ecological Conscience, & Biophilia

“In short, a land ethic changes the role of Homo sapiens from conqueror of the land-community to plain member and citizen of it.” Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac Aldo Leopold, a forester and ecologist, published a collection of essays in A Sand County Almanac in 1949. It is recognized…

Mike KenslerApril 4, 2022

Guest Posts SDG14 SDG15

Salt Marshes are Beautiful, Stinky, and Uncomfortable Places to Work

By Sam Bickley. The marshes that hug the banks of Alabama’s bays and bayous are smaller than some of their Louisiana or Georgia cousins but are no less beautiful. When the sun is setting over the black needlerush, the dominant marsh plant in our neck of the woods, and you…

ContributorMarch 21, 2022

SDG11 Sustainability in Action

Campus Changemaker: Max Garcia

By Grace Reilein. “Auburn gave me a plethora of perspectives to build my knowledge on,” stated Max Garcia, Auburn University Alumnus, and former Office of Sustainability Intern. In 2018, Max graduated from Auburn to become a world changemaker, but credits his start down the changemaker pathway to his time at…

ContributorMarch 2, 2022