2011: The Year of Sustainability?

We never could have anticipated the rapid growth of sustainability at North Carolina State University at the beginning of the year.  Years from now, we could very well look back on 2011 as the point at which sustainability became something more than just cool or hip; it became standard operating procedure for NC State.

From a 5% decrease in our energy use to the release of the Sustainability Strategic Plan, NC State enhanced it’s commitment to sustainability principles in academics, facilities and cultural events.  Many of the year’s accomplishments can be found in the 2010-2011 Annual Sustainability Report.

Below, we list a few of the achievements from 2011 that our entire campus community can take pride in sharing to friends and family (especially those who cheer the blue schools down the road) during the holiday break:

• Climate Change and Sustainability (ES 200) course grew from 84 students in Spring 2011 to 447 in Fall 2011
• 10 construction projects in development will seek LEED-certification
• Green events certification launched called Certified Wolfpack Green
• Three residence halls earned ENERGY STAR certification
• Five campus partners received a grant of $475,488 from the US Department for Energy for 10 full time energy fellowships
• New student groups organized around sustainability issues include Students for Solar, Biofuel Research and Implementation Club (B.R.I.C.) and Omega Phi Alpha (first service sorority)

The University Sustainability Office would like to thank all supporters of sustainability at NC State and our surrounding community.  We especially would like to thank those who subscribe to the e-newsletter, Facebook and Twitter.  By sharing news of NC State’s progress you are helping to transform our campus into one that looks at sustainability through a lens, instead of as an addition. Your continued commitment to help make NC State a more sustainable living and learning experience is making a difference every day.