5/18
Sustainability
A greener approach to end the academic year
Efforts have expanded this year to ensure student Move-Out for the summer break is more clean, green, and convenient than ever before. On campus, PennMOVES—operated by Business Services—is in full effect, partnering with Goodwill to collect materials students can’t take with them when they leave campus.
Exploring sustainable development and the human impact of natural disasters
The School of Social Policy & Practice’s Chenyi Ma focuses on the social determinants of health and behavioral outcomes in disaster contexts, including public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Penn Medicine is going green for good health
The University of Pennsylvania Health System prioritizes sustainability in its day-to-day practices, while envisioning novel approaches to greening efforts.
Penn celebrates operation and benefits of largest solar power project in Pennsylvania
Solar production has begun at the Great Cove I and II facilities in central Pennsylvania, the equivalent of powering 70% of the electricity demand from Penn’s academic campus and health system in the Philadelphia area.
What’s That? Sun shades at the Vagelos Lab
The shades account for solar geometry to make for an eye-catching view from the east and west—all while reducing energy usage.
Harnessing ancient materials and AI for sustainable architecture
The Weitzman School’s Robotics Lab and master’s program combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and automated systems in manufacturing and architectural design in ways that are adaptable and sustainable.
Carbon capture and common misconceptions: A Q&A with Joe Romm
In a conversation with Penn Today, Joe Romm casts a sobering light on “solutions” to curb climate change.
Penn reports success on Climate and Sustainability Action Plan goals
Sustainability Director Nina Morris recently shared with the Board of Trustees an update on progress.
Penn adds more perks to reducing commuter costs
Penn’s Divisions of Business Services and Human Resources have increased the discount provided to public transit commuters in order to provide more affordable commuting options and to encourage sustainable transit to and from campus.
Measuring the ripple effects of reforestation and sustainable cocoa cultivation
With support from the Penn Global Engagement Fund, Heather Huntington is investigating the impact of reforestation and sustainable agriculture interventions on livelihoods, biodiversity, and human health in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
In the News
Could Florida electric bills go up because of a fuel made from manure?
Danny Cullenward of the Kleinman Center for Energy Policy at the Weitzman School of Design says that federal and California state subsidies have led to a gold rush of companies trying to get into the business of renewable natural gas around the country.
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Why don’t we just ban fossil fuels?
Joseph Romm of the School of Arts & Sciences says that stronger action against fossil fuels is essential to save the planet.
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UN reports worrying rates of warming as COP28 tries to tackle climate crisis
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences warns that the steady warming rate of the planet’s surface and oceans is fueling increasingly dangerous extreme weather events and coastal flooding.
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An oil executive is leading the UN climate summit. It’s going as well as you’d expect
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that Ahmed al-Jaber’s comments about fossil fuels betray an ignorance of climate science and a dismissiveness about the need for rapid decarbonization.
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Princeton and Penn scientists win Philly award for their climate change work
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences has won the 2023 John Scott Award for his work to address climate change.
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Should you stop flying to fight climate change?
Michael Mann of the School of Arts & Sciences says that decisions by individual climate scientists of whether or not to fly won’t change the system of air travel.
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