 | At Washington University in St. Louis, we work to understand and address climate change, reduce our carbon footprint, and educate future leaders in sustainability all year! Learn more about our efforts below and make an Earth Day gift to help enhance our programs. |
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| New majors give students additional pathways for sustainable education. Two new degree programs--Environmental Analysis in Arts & Sciences and Environmental Engineering in the McKelvey School of Engineering--offer opportunities for students to become sustainability leaders. |
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| Our partnerships are accelerating change in the region. WashU led the formation of the Midwest Climate Collaborative, a group of organizations working to create a carbon neutral, climate resilient, and interconnected Midwest region. We also are a founding sponsor of Building Energy Exchange STL, an effort to increase energy efficiency and decrease carbon emissions in the building sector. |
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| Students are integral to campus sustainability. Each semester, the Environment, Sustainability and Climate Change internship program hosts 25 student interns in several university departments and local nonprofits. These positions help advance sustainability at WashU and in the region while preparing students for high-impact careers. |
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| We surpassed our 2020 carbon reduction goal. Square footage of buildings on campus has more than doubled since 1990, yet greenhouse gas emissions today are 3% below 1990 levels. Emissions peaked in 2010 and have since decreased by 28%. This major milestone marks the achievement of WashU's first ambitious 10-year commitment to carbon reduction. |
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| WashU leads in LEED certifications and solar energy production. As of 2021, the university has completed 33 LEED-certified projects, including eight Platinum and 13 Gold certifications. Four new solar arrays on the Danforth Campus brought our total to 2.7 megawatts of on-site solar, making WashU one of the largest producers of on-site solar energy in Missouri. |
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| Our alternative transportation programs continue to grow and gain recognition. The School of Medicine received a Silver Bicycle Friendly Business award from the League of American Bicyclists, which had already designated the Danforth Campus a Gold Bicycle Friendly University. WashU is the first university in Missouri, and one of only a few in the Midwest, to receive this distinction. |
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| Native and ecologically beneficial landscapes are flourishing. On the Danforth campus, 10% of lawn turf has been replaced by biodiverse landscapes since 2010. We prioritized native plantings and converted 202,063 square feet of roads and parking lots on the east end to green space. The Danforth Campus is now an accredited Level II Arboretum. |
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| Your WashU spirit is in the bag. Go red (and green!) this Earth Day by supporting our year-round sustainability efforts. When you make a gift of $15 or more by June 30, you'll receive a limited-edition tote bag, featuring an open-front pocket with WashU logo and a reinforced bottom. Please allow six to eight weeks for delivery. |
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