Ohio University

Office of Sustainability

Updates

The Office of Sustainability will have variable in-person hours for the indefinite future, but is open virtually during normal business hours.   Please subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates or email sustainability@ohio.edu with questions.

 

What is Sustainability

Ohio University defines sustainability as the capacity to simultaneously benefit people, the planet and prosperity now and in the future. Life-cycle analysis, life-cycle costing, social financial proxies, and multi-criteria decision analyses are tools that are used to evaluate sustainability. Also used at Ohio University is a popular but less actionable definition, adapted from the Bruntland definition of sustainable development: sustainability is the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

Mission

Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability facilitates the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by providing services and support to the campus community and ensures fulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being. 

News and Announcements

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  • How Not to Plant Trees Wrong

    April 23, 2022

    A guide to how community members are spreading native saplings in Athens, Ohio.

  • Interview with Ecohouse resident Pao Munoz

    April 14, 2022

    Paola Munoz, Charlene Suggs and Laura Farrell chose to live differently. Rather than relying on a physical structure to define their “homes,” Munoz, Suggs and Farrell sought out living experiences that prioritized environmental sustainability at the scale of the household. Although the three resided in Athens decades apart, they each participated in an intentional living endeavor – at the Ohio University Ecohouse, Wisteria Community or Acme Co-op – during their time in Southeast Ohio.

  • OHIO celebrates Earth Week 2022

    April 13, 2022

    Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability and campus and community partners will open Earth Week with the OHIO Earth Day Celebrations on Monday, April 18, in the Walter Hall Rotunda. The University will also recognize Earth Day itself on Friday, April 22, with a parade and event at the Baker University Center.

Upcoming Events

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Sustainability Course Listings

Time to register for courses? Consider taking sustainability courses or courses that include sustainability! The Office of Sustainability tracks these courses for the University.

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Office of Sustainability Featured Programs

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    Climate & Sustainability Ambassadors

    The Climate and Sustainability Ambassadors program is an initiative of the Sustainable Administration Hub.  The Ambassadors are an energetic and enthusiastic group of students who assist in the implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan.  You can find them leading the Earth Day Sustainability Parade; instructing Bobcats fans on proper disposal of game day waste; teaching in the local middle schools; labeling our storm drains with "drains to river" markers; and more!

    Join
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    Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP)

    The Sustainability Tracking and Evaluation Program (STEP) is a sustainability certification program which aims to recognize departments or offices across campus for their sustainable efforts, whether they be existing practices or new changes.

    Get Certified
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    Sustainability Project Laboratory

    Students, do you need an idea for a course project or thesis?  Faculty, are you looking for project ideas for a project-based course?  Our Sustainability Project Laboratory may have the projects you are looking for!  These projects are designed to advance goals in the Ohio University Sustainability & Climate Action Plan while providing experiential and/or community-engaged learning opportunties for students.

    Find a project

Sustainability Hubs

We welcome participants to our Sustainability Hubs! The dates and topics for the Hub Seminar Series can be found on the Calendar of University events.  For more information, please sign up for our newsletter or visit our Hub webpages.  For other sustainability events, please visit the Calendar of University events, and search using the keyword "sustainability". 

 

Structure of Sustainability Hubs at Ohio University