October is sustainability month at the U of M. The goal is for university community members to engage in efforts that foster a more climate-friendly environment.
The university’s Climate Action Plan highlights four key areas individuals can significantly impact — energy and buildings, transportation, waste and land restoration.
Christie Nairn, director of the U of M’s office of sustainability, shared that her office is focusing on grassroots efforts to achieve sustainability and climate action goals for this year’s sustainability month celebration.
As part of this year’s sustainability month project, a new web page has been launched to provide information and resources. “We have a new intranet page that is helping staff and faculty learn about different resources that can help integrate sustainability into their jobs,” said Nairn. “So that intranet page will include those resources, helpful tips and tricks in the realm of waste, transportation, land use and energy,” she added.
In addition, the office of sustainability has developed a campus sustainability map for both the Fort Garry and Bannatyne campuses that highlights different areas on campus where people can access different types of programs related to achieving sustainability in the university community.
“So whether it be the ReShop, our local reuse warehouse, or […] where EV charging is, and where you can park your bike in a secure lockup,” she said, “those sustainability maps focus on different things that are available to everybody on both our campuses.”
The green office program allows staff or faculty to sign up as a green office representative or “Go Rep.” This role helps them score their office or faculty on sustainability practices. By working with the office of sustainability, they can continue improving their scores.
Another initiative the office of sustainability is considering is the “Residence Give and Go Program.” People who are moving in and out of the residences can donate the things they do not want to take with them. New residents can reuse these items, or they can be donated to a local charity. Nairn stated that this initiative will reduce waste on campus and provide items for people who may need them later.
During this sustainability month, there will be a series of programs and workshops. For instance, a workshop on sustainability will be held on Oct. 23 from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in partnership with the science innovation hub at the Graduate Students’ Association lounge.
Kevin Danner, chief executive officer of Carbon Lock Tech, will also give a talk about his business model. A climate action and sustainability innovation design competition will take place for student groups or students who want to get involved in campus sustainability throughout the year.
Nairn added that in the last part of the month, the office of sustainability will launch the second year of the green investment fund. This fund focuses on having people apply to different sustainability projects that can be done on campus if they have some type of return on investment and show that they are meeting the university’s goals of the Climate Action Plan.
As part of the Climate Action Plan, the university has committed to reducing carbon emissions by 50 per cent by 2030 and reaching net zero by 2050. The office of sustainability, including the university community, is working to achieve these goals. Nairn said, “it used to be just our office, and now it’s a bunch of different pockets all over campus focusing on sustainability. So, it’s nice to have the community come together with kind of a collective action and forward thinking in sustainability.”
During sustainability month, the sustainability office encourages community members to avoid using single-occupancy vehicles. They are urged to share rides with the “GoManitoba” carpool matching service. “That’s just one of the measures that we’re taking to get people out of their own vehicles,” Nairn explained. “In addition, the U-pass has tremendously helped with students accessing Winnipeg transit.”
Nairn asked university members to attend all events during sustainability month and urged everyone to follow the office of sustainability on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube for updates. She added that their doors are always open to anyone interested in contributing to sustainability issues.
