Happy #EarthDay 🌍 Mocs!
Today is the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day and while COVID-19 prevents us from celebrating #EarthDay as we usually do, we pulled together a few ways that UTC continues to increase sustainability efforts.
Did you know UTC became the largest “Green Light,” or Green Spaces-certified green entity in Chattanooga in 2016?
Working with Chattanooga-based sustainability nonprofit Green Spaces, the UTC Honors College, Office of Sustainability, Environmental Task Force, and 18 students UTC was able to demonstrate its commitment to sustainable practices in landscaping, cleaning, purchasing, water conservation, transportation, recycling and employee wellness.
UTC’s sustainability efforts reach across campus:
- Recycling has quadrupled in the past two years.
- The Mocs Shuttle provides more than 60,000 bus rides a year.
- Chattanooga Bike Share and Green Commuter car sharing are accessible on campus.
- Both UTC Library and Bretske Hall are certified Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Silver buildings.
- West Campus Housing complex, which opened in 2018, meets Tennessee High-Performance Building Requirements.
UTC has been named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for six years in a row.
It’s the only school in the UT System to be given the honor.
The designation recognizes college and universities nationwide for “promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation,” according to a foundation news release.
To earn the distinction, UTC met five core standards:
- Establishment of a tree advisory committee
- Evidence of a campus tree-care plan
- Dedicated annual expenditures for the campus tree program
- Observance of Arbor Day
- Sponsoring student service-learning projects
Here are 15 ways to be more sustainable while practicing social distancing at home: (courtesy: Huffington Post)
1. Plant a tree in your yard or buy more plants for your home.
2. Cook plant-based meals.
3. Participate in the Earth Day Network’s digital 24 hours of action event.
4. Tune in to the American Museum of Natural History’s virtual EarthFest.
5. Watch nature documentaries like “Planet Earth,” “March of the Penguins” and “Our Planet.”
6. Take a shorter shower than usual ― and commit to doing this more often.
7. Contribute to Earth Challenge 2020′s environmental data collection efforts.
8. Make art using recycled materials.
9. Travel virtually to explore and admire beautiful landscapes around the world.
10. Read books about environmentalism and climate change.
11. Go for a walk outside in nature.
12. Start growing your own herbs.
13. Repurpose old clothes you were planning to toss.
14. Watch animals on Tennessee Aquarium’s At Home site.
15. Unplug electronics when they aren’t in use.
