Contributed by Gabriela Pino
A few years ago when I started school at NYU one of the hardest transitions for me was residence hall living. Faced with strange faces, new freedoms, balancing life and academic responsibilities; the adjustment was a challenge. Once I settled into my new environment I began the see my residence hall as my home. I enjoyed personalizing my space with photos and decorations and strove to keep my new oasis tidy and clean. Read more
2017 has been an exciting year for the Office of Sustainability, check out some of our highlights!
Residence Halls Competed in NYUnplugged
For the second year in a row, Lipton Hall saved the most energy and raised awareness about conserving energy through the NYUnplugged residence hall energy competition. Residence halls put sustainable ideas into action by replacing their lightbulbs with LED, lowering their thermostats, and making delicious smoothies with a bike-powered blender.
We #MarchedForScience
Earth Month includes several interesting programs and activities. In addition to our Educating for Sustainability lecture with waste experts Robin Nagle and Dr. Cassandra Thiel, members of our community held events on meat consumption and food justice, religious perspectives on the environment, and urban ecology. Dr. Jane Goodall spoke at an event to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Jane Goodall Institute!
On Earth Day, 150 members of the NYU community, representing the Office of Sustainability, students organizations and activists, and President Andy Hamilton packed a DC-bound bus with beautiful posters and a desire to see evidence-based policy through the March for Science. The day was filled with marching, teach-ins, and an event with former EPA employees.
Contributed by Alesha Bradford
It’s the holiday season once again, which marks a time of giving to loved ones and those in need. Perhaps you’ve practiced an environmentally conscious lifestyle for some time now, or maybe you’ve just started the journey!
For the old and new, these are some green gift ideas to give or do that’ll get everyone in the sustainable-spirit and start the next year on a green note.
Buy gifts from a sustainable source
If you’re willing to do some research, buying a gift from a sustainable source is a great way to support eco-friendly companies. To find out about a company’s practices, you can look on their “FAQ” page on their website, check their product descriptions or even contact a representative if you’re still unsure. Asking these questions not only encourages informed consumerism, but will also lead to companies making this information more accessible to the public so they can more easily make environmentally-conscious shopping decisions.
My favorite part of any holiday celebration is the food. Grandmas, uncles and cousins come together to make amazing comfort food, well comfort for some people. A lot of the holiday meals revolve around holiday roasts and seven fishes, and for vegetarians and vegans this can be a logistical nightmare.
No need to yell at your family for “forgetting” you don’t eat meat, go to your local Trader Joe’s or Ralph’s and pick up ingredients for one of these easy and sustainable holiday recipes.
Whether you’re celebrating a religious holiday or just hanging out with friends and family, potato latkes are a feel-good meal for all. The simple way to do it is cutting potatoes and fry ‘em up, but I found a great vegan recipe you can try here but you can always replace the ingredients with whatever you prefer. Top your beautiful creation with applesauce!
Contributed by Brianda Hickey
Happy Thanksgiving Week!! Here is a lovely picture of a Pumpkin Spice later in my thermos to help you get into the fall spirit:
Living zero waste has become more natural, but I wouldn’t brush it off as “easy” nor would I say it is an accessible lifestyle for all. My morning routines have turned into a just-in-case checklist:
Bamboo utensils? Check.
Mason jar? Check.
Reusable bag? Check.
Coffee mug? Check.
Cloth napkin? Check.
