We work to integrate sustainability into Western's culture, academics and student life while utilizing student energies for realization of sustainability initiatives.
We provide a liaison to sustainability initiatives on campuses regionally and nationally, and build connections between Western and the greater Bellingham community.
Our goals for Western include the following:
To develop a unified set of sustainability metrics and indicators with the purpose of building awareness and understanding on campus.
To conduct a baseline assessment of present efforts at Western.
To create a vision and strategic plan that outlines steps needed for Western to lead in sustainable practices using our natural, financial and human resources.
To advise on effective step-by-step implementation so our respective academic programs and operations can become leaders by example through their efforts.
Did you know mobility is a climate change issue? This week, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy found that a third of U.S. cities have grown without developing any substantial mass transit systems to serve their populations. Cities are literally outgrowing themselves where transportation mobility, which was once a novel idea, is now becoming a climate change nightmare.
To me, sustainability means building resilient communities and supporting long term, socially responsible goals through short term action. Developing sustainable habits and sharing those habits with our friends and family allows us to learn and grow from each other. Currently I am working on creating a mentorship program where young women, high school through college, are paired long term with a female professional in an industry of interest. This is a project where generations can learn from each other and create a space where women can support women. Unfortunately, society sends the message that women are each other's competition; sometimes when young women reach out to professionals they are met with no response, which can be incredibly discouraging. It is our job to trailblaze for each other because the glass ceiling still exists!
I learned my sustainability habits from my mom was raised in the Soviet Union. I don’t think she was trying to get us to save the planet, but rather teaching us how to live with what we need, not everything we want. It was definitely annoying sometimes, like when she made us wash and dry all of our little plastic baggies… again…and again….and again. However, one of my favorite things she showed me is the value in making things. We’d go shopping for clothes and I’d say, “Mom this is so cute!” Then she’d walk over, look at it and say, “You can make this yourself.” And thanks to the sewing and knitting skills she taught me… I could. Through The Tilh Collective, which I started with a few friends who are also passionate about sustainable fashion, we have created a space to create, discuss, and support sustainable fashion practices. Last year, one of the coolest things we did was create pieces of vegan leather out of kombucha. This quarter, we are excited to be hosting a clothing swap and textile recycling party.
Personally, I am trying to adopt what I call ‘The One Policy.’ Basically, this means that I own one of any item that I only use one of at any given time. For example, I will never use more than one pen at one time, so I only have one pen. Or, I will only use one chapstick at one time, so I only have one chapstick. I have been doing this with various items for over a year now, and I have seen some interesting changes in my attitude toward material goods. For one, I am far more attached to my one pen than I have been to any other pen. I hardly ever lose this pen because I know that I have to take care of it. This also means that I am not afraid to invest in ethically made products that may be more expensive and last longer because I know I will use it until it is worn out. This is an incredibly small lifestyle change that anyone can do.
My hope for the future is a place where all people use their strengths to socially and economically support themselves, each other, and the planet. A large part of this is intergenerational collaboration. We have a lot to learn from the people who have come before us, from their mistakes and their successes. Yet, we cannot forget about our younger siblings, because they are the future. A sustainable future is one where the Golden Rule is exemplified amongst all people.
Zero Waste Western is looking to hire a new Zero Waste Assistant starting in Winter Quarter 2019. The Zero Waste Assistant assists the Zero Waste Coordinator in actively engaging the WWU community in responsible waste sorting behavior through education and collaborative efforts to promote sustainability and reduce the amount of waste produced on the WWU campus.
If you are interested please send a cover letter and resume to ZeroWaste@wwu.edu by January 22nd at 5pm.
WWU Off Campus Living will be hosting Roommate Roundup on January 23rd from 4-5:30pm in VU 565 to allow the opportunity for folks looking for potential roommate to connect and meet before pre-leasing begins in March!
Joe Gaydos the Science Director of the SecDoc Society will speak at the Huxley Speaker Series this Thursday at 4:30pm in Academic West 204. Gaydos will talk about what makes the Salish Sea so amazing, and what we can do to address some of the largest issues hindering recovery.
Joe Gaydos Science Director, SecDoc Society Date Thursday, January 17, 2019 - 4:30pm to 5:30pm Knowing, Connecting and Protecting the Salish Sea Saving an endangered species is hard. Saving an ecosystem is even harder - especially when so few people even know the name of the place you’re trying to...
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Western Sustainability