Whether you’re on campus, visiting family, or traveling the globe this summer, here are some tips for living sustainably while you enjoy the sunny weather.

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Eat Local. 

Visit a nearby farmers market and peruse the wide selection of locally grown fruits and vegetables. Local produce travels shorter distances from farm to table, significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions and the need for long-term storage. Seasonal produce also requires fewer resources like water, pesticides, and fertilizers compared to out of season produce. 

Make conscious consumer choices.

If you’re purchasing new summer attire, consider gently used and thrifted options or look at where your items were produced, under what conditions, and how far they had to travel to get to your door. Not only do used goods help the environment, but they can also be more affordable and help save you money. 

Get your green thumb out!

It’s never too late to join a community garden! Try to grow your own produce this summer instead of taking trips to the grocery store and buying packaged goods. You can plant cucumbers, carrots, bell peppers, and many more yummy vegetables that taste even better knowing you helped them grow! 

If growing produce is a little intimidating, try your hand at helping a house plant grow. With longer days and warmer weather, there are tons of nurseries to choose from.

Utilize micromobility and public transportation options. 

Ride bikes and scooters to reduce air pollution, minimize fuel consumption, and alleviate traffic congestion. For longer trips, consider taking public transportation, when available, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save a little extra money. 

Explore ways to advance your favorite environmental causes. 

Scope out an organization that helps you clean up your neighborhood or city, helps plant trees, or builds community gardens. Attend community board meetings, get involved with local environmental activists, and reach out to your elected officials. 

Want to advance sustainability but not sure where to start? You can start off by using a Climate Venn Diagram as a resource for figuring out how you can contribute to making the world a little greener. 

Embrace the Sun. 

It’s finally summer, and with summer comes longer days and shorter nights. Try setting up your work or study station at a nearby window to embrace all of the natural light that the sun has to offer. Natural light isn’t only better for your mental health, but better for your electricity bill too, as it reduces the need for artificial lighting and the associated energy costs. 

Visit parks and protected areas. 

Parks and protected areas play a vital role in maintaining our local ecosystems and preserving biodiversity. 

Parks also offer unique opportunities and educational experiences to learn about the environment firsthand, fostering a deeper appreciation for nature and motivating us to become better stewards of our planet.

Stay Connected!

Keep up to date on NYU’s sustainability initiatives and opportunities by signing up for our newsletter and connecting with us on LinkedIn. Feel free to also follow us on Instagram for more tips and tricks to keep your summer sustainable! 

 

With the semester coming to an end and spring in full bloom, get ready to see purple graduation gowns all over campus—it’s graduation season!

Washington Square Park is a common backdrop for NYU graduation photos, but photoshoots can sometimes lead to trampled grass and flowers and littered props. While glitter and balloons may seem like fun options in the moment, they are often left behind and cause pollution and harm to our environment. Let’s create timeless memories of this special time while showing our local wildlife and green spaces some love! Watch our reel for some examples! 

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Consider using these tips to add a sustainable touch to your graduation pictures: 

1. Avoid Single-Use Props: 

1. • Use Natural Backgrounds – No balloon could ever compete with thebeautiful, natural backdrop of vibrant flowers or a blossoming tree. Find natural backdrops that stand out instead of buying items like balloons that will just be thrown away. Even if disposed of correctly, balloons take many years to decompose (even biodegradable balloons) and can end up being consumed by wildlife.
   • Use Sentimental Props – Imagine a photo under the Washington Square Arch with the emotional support snack that got you through college. Or holding your favorite textbook in front of Bobst Library. Or walking through the streets of NYC wearing your favorite sunglasses, holding an NYU banner, or photographing yourself on your favorite park bench. All of these will make for timeless, meaningful photos that are also nice to the planet.
   • Play with Angles and Poses Instead – Find some creative angles and poses that will make your photos stand out. Try holding your gown over your shoulder, candid photos laughing with friends, or even low-shutter speed blurry movement photos.

2. That Being Said… Keep Our Park Green:

• • • Stay Outside Fenced-Off Areas – Fences are there for a reason! Park staff work hard to keep our plants thriving. There may be seeds waiting to sprout or grass that is being preserved in the fenced-off areas. Avoid stepping over them, which may kill plants, especially when hundreds of recent graduates are doing the same.
    • Don’t Pick Flowers! – The flowering tulips and cherry blossoms are beautiful, so let’s keep them that way! Let’s let them live by not picking them. 

3. Cap Toss > Glitter Toss: Glitter and/or confetti are often left behind in the park, which contaminates the soil and gets into waterways. This can damage ecosystems and make wildlife sick. If you’ve ever used glitter or confetti, you may also know that it is extremely difficult to clean up. Consider doing the classic cap toss instead!

4. Borrow & Thrift Your Outfit: Although your targeted Instagram ads may say otherwise, you don’t need to buy a brand-new outfit for graduation! Fast fashion has a major environmental toll. Check what you already own, attend a clothing swap, borrow from a friend, or thrift something instead. 

We can’t wait to see your sustainable graduation photos!

 

 

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Congratulations to the NYU Class of 2025!