Sustainability News

As an early-career geomorphologist who studies glaciers, polar climate, and climate change, Drew Christ ’11 wasn’t expecting to be in the spotlight. Then he began to research core sediment samples taken in the 1960s from beneath Greenland’s ice sheet.

Hamilton Sustainability Club, HSC, hosted an on-campus thrift shop on Dec. 3, and its success proved thrifting is here to stay. Catherine McFarland `22 explained, “Gen Z is very conscious of our individual footprints and passionate about thrifting, so I thought it was great that HSC was able to bring this opportunity right to the Hill.”

A paper titled “Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal: Lessons for institutional climate action from U.S. higher education,” co-authored by Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies Aaron Strong, appears in the September issue of the journal One Earth.

Early this summer, Lilia Harlan ’22 began to strategize about how to connect students and faculty concerned about sustainability and climate change and just. The result — the Sustainability Fair.

“We are responsible for 11,700 tons of carbon in the atmosphere every year,” said Brian Hansen, Hamilton’s director of environmental protection, safety, and sustainability. The reduction of this imposing number, which stands between the College and its goal of carbon neutrality, is being approached from a variety of angles, among them, switching energy systems from fossil fuels to greener sources.

With Earth Day approaching on April 22, student organizations are coming together to increase awareness about environmental issues and celebrate our planet. Participating organizations include the Hamilton Sustainability Coordinators, Voices of Color Lecture Series, Hamilton Sunrise Movement, Shenandoah Kirkland Initiative, and La Vanguardia.

Tucked away in the Taylor Science Center’s greenhouse, a new aquaponics system brims with tilapia, lettuce, and other developing life. Built in 2019 by Hamilton’s Aquaponics Club, the system promotes on-campus food sustainability while also providing a space for students and faculty to learn about aquaponics. And with its accessibility, regular maintenance, and potential to expand with student interest, the system does just that.

Hamilton sustainability coordinators have found a way to reintroduce Food2Energy (a.k.a. suite composting) in Babbitt and Milbank residence halls despite the pandemic.

Claire Curran ’20, and Hamilton’s other student sustainability coordinators had put together a week’s worth of campus events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, but the COVID-19 pandemic swept them aside. Looking for a bit of inspiration, we asked Curran two questions related to Earth Day 2020.