Our planet depends on our sustainability practices
California has long been a global leader in sustainability practices, recognizing the critical need for reducing carbon emissions and developing renewable fuel sources in order to protect the environment. Much like the state, CSUN is setting the standard in sustainability practice by launching its Institute of Sustainability in 2008 and ten-year Sustainability Plan in 2013. Under the Institute, the university opened the first-ever Sustainability Center in the California State University system. The Institute of Sustainability is another example of how CSUN rises above, pioneering discovery and innovation in sustainability across disciplines in the areas of curriculum, education, research, and community engagement.
“Sustainability is one of the university’s eight strategic priorities and permeates throughout the campus,” said CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison, Ph.D. “Beyond our responsibility to be good stewards of the environment and make progress on our climate action plan, these collaborative efforts advance the university’s academic mission by providing students opportunities to contribute, learn, demonstrate leadership, and even to discover new career and educational paths.”
Leading an integrated approach to sustainability requires nothing less than breakthrough thinking from multiple disciplines working toward common goals. The Institute engages all colleges to increase interdisciplinary and cross-functional communication, education, and research on sustainability. It also requires significant and strategic investments in areas that will move the needle to advance the Institute’s goals. Among the Institute’s funding needs are educational programming that will bring prominent names to campus, thereby increasing the university’s reputation in sustainability programming; in-building recycling bins to dramatically reduce waste on campus; a composting machine for post-consumer green waste; a campus pedestrian and bicycle master plan to improve pedestrian safety and infrastructure; and the installation of bicycle racks to reduce bike theft on campus.
A gift to the Institute of Sustainability furthers the university’s commitment to the planet, and to its students as they realize new and innovative career paths. Create healthy communities with a gift that endures generations.
