Ohio University

Office of Sustainabilty

***All Sustainability events scheduled for the remainder of March are cancelled or postponed due to COVID-19.  Please subscribe to our newsletter for updates.***

 

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, adpated 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. 

Donate

Donations made to the “Ohio University Sustainability Fund” will be used to enact infrastructure, curriculum, and research projects that can help advance success toward the goals within the Sustainability and Climate Action Plans of Ohio University.  Projects will not be housed in one single department or division. In fact, it is the intention of the OHIO Foundation that these funds will be utilized by all divisions for various sustainability-related projects hoping to advance institutional sustainability efforts.  Donations made to this fund will be added to a generic pool of sustainability funding and used toward projects agreed upon by various stakeholders.  Donors who wish to contribute to a particular project are urged to reach out to the Office of Sustainability (sustainability@ohio.edu, 740-593-0460) before making a donation so that proper funding allocations occur.

Visit our Donation Page

News and Announcements

read all news

  • Building Biodiversity: Acid Mine drainage ...

    March 26, 2020

    Rust-colored sludge fills the streams of Southeast Ohio as acid mine drainage from abandoned coal mines continues to pollute tributaries of the Hocking River, destroying local aquatic habitats.

  • Local food connections abound in Athens

    March 25, 2020

    A push for local products has connected local farmers and businesses with the Athens and Ohio University communities in southeastern Ohio.

  • Ohio U moving to install green roof atop S...

    March 2, 2020

    Ohio University announced last Thursday that it will install a green roof over the Schoonover Center lobby’s roof this spring, which will primarily be used for environmental sustainability research, according to a press release. 

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.

View featured courses

Office of Sustainability Featured Programs

  • 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

  • Sustainability Alumni Network

    Are you an OHIO alumni enthusiastic about creating more socially just, ecologically balanced, and prosperous communities? Then the Sustainability Alumni Network is the group for you!

    Connect with Us

  • 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

Sustainability Hubs

We welcome participants to our Sustainability Hubs! The Hub Seminar Series for Spring 2020 will be on the 4th Thursdays of February, March and April in Front Room. The February 27 seminar will be at 4pm; the March 26 and April 23 seminars will be at 5pm. For more information, please sign up for our newsletter or visit our Hub webpages.  For events, please visit the Calendar of University events, and search for the keyword "sustainability". 

Structure of Sustainability Hubs at Ohio University