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In 2021, CU Chancellor Phil DiStefano issued the Campus Call to Climate Action. On April 21, 2022, come learn how CU Â鶹ӰԺ is answering that call with a showcase of campus research, programs and innovations related to sustainability, climate and the environment.  

Faculty, staff and students are invited to share, learn and celebrate CU Â鶹ӰԺ’s wide array of sustainability leadership and accomplishments, including the partnership with United Nations Human Rights to co-host the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit in the fall of 2022.  

The 29th annual Campus Sustainability Summit will take on the format of a Solutions Showcase for 2022. The campus is actively recruiting CU Â鶹ӰԺ solutions that impact, innovate and inspire. There are numerous opportunities for the campus community to contribute content, and student presenters can earn cash prizes.  

Open call for exhibitors, presentations due March 16

Showcase your impactful research or program in sustainability and climate at the Solutions Showcase 2022. The SS22 will highlight academic research as well as innovative programs in education and campus operations. Presentations can be in the form of posters, booths or short presentations by students, faculty and staff.  

Student projects featured in the SS22 Expo (posters and booths) will be awarded $25,000 in cash prizes from the Mission Zero Fund at CU Â鶹ӰԺ. 

by March 16 to receive priority consideration and details on prize categories and criteria. 

Campus Sustainability Awards nominations open

The annual Campus Sustainability Awards celebrate individuals and departments that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability through inventive programs and initiatives that directly reduce resource use, enhance social equity and cohesion, or promote a culture of sustainability at CU Â鶹ӰԺ. Awardees will be recognized on April 21 at the annual Campus Sustainability Awards luncheon.

Nominations are due by March 9.

President’s Sustainable Solutions Challenge calls for student ideas

The (PSSC) encourages student-led innovation in sustainability for the CU system and its four campuses. The competition series takes place in two stages. Each campus will host a pitch night, where students with ideas for sustainability innovation on their campuses will compete for $2,500 in cash prizes. CU Â鶹ӰԺ will host its pitch night on April 14 (proposals are due April 4). On April 21, all participants from all four CU campuses will join in the Student Climate Action Forum to share ideas.  

Seed funding available for student climate projects

Mission Zero is facilitating students of all disciplines to engage in climate-related projects. Successful student applicants will receive funding, as well as have the opportunity to show off their projects at the Solutions Showcase on April 21. Students may receive up to $500 per individual, or up to $2,000 per team, to develop a project to showcase. Funding application deadline is March 1.

Student climate action forum

Students are invited to join a facilitated participatory design workshop. The workshop will contribute to the campus call to climate action by establishing shared values and goals and cultivate student ideas and leadership for the climate action plan. Students exhibiting projects at SS22 Expo also are encouraged to participate in the workshop to bring their ideas into action and network with other students. 

Other opportunities

Faculty: Consider planning for your class to attend portions of the Solutions Showcase on April 21.  

In collaboration with campus partners, CU Environmental Center has produced a Campus Sustainability Summit for the campus community annually or semi-annually since 1994. The Campus Sustainability Summit and the awards program are sponsored by the Office of the Provost, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Infrastructure and Sustainability, and the CUSG Environmental Center. The summit is open to all CU Â鶹ӰԺ students, faculty, staff and community members.