Learn how to incorporate sustainability into your campus life

Sustainability Week is taking over campus this week and here’s how you can get involved! Happening Oct. 22-26, 2018, Sustainability Week is five days dedicated to learning more about sustainability and how to integrate it into your life and work through a variety of events, activities and workshops.

Sustainability is embedded in the university through education and research, engaging with our community, as well as our daily operational and administrative practices. “UCalgary has a deep commitment to sustainability, and all of us have the opportunity every day to contribute meaningfully to sustainable change,” says Taryn Meyers, manager engagement, Office of Sustainability. “Our objective this week is to increase awareness across the campus community of UCalgary’s sustainability initiatives and to educate the campus community about how to make more sustainable decisions every day.”

Sustainability Week is jam-packed with exciting events and initiatives that show the different ways you can integrate sustainability into your daily routine. A full calendar for the week is available at ucalgary.ca/sustainability-week and we encourage you to check out these key events:

• Oct. 23: Fashion: The Ugly Reality — join us for a conversation between international and local experts in sustainable fashion to learn more about how sustainable fashion is growing, both in Calgary and beyond. Together, we will consider sustainable solutions to some of the fashion industry’s most pressing social, environmental and economic concerns.
• Oct. 23: Sustainable Offices Welcome Workshop — Check out UCalgary’s new Sustainable Offices Program! Launching Oct. 23, this program provides students, faculty and staff with simple tools and resources to make their offices more inclusive, environmentally conscious and socially responsible. Attend the Welcome Workshop to learn more about how your office can participate in this new program.
• Oct. 25: Partnerships for Change — Join us for an inspiring event about sustainability and partnerships, with a keynote from an internationally recognized sustainability leader and an update on the Institutional Sustainability Strategy.
• Oct. 26: Sustainable Dinos Basketball Game — Cheer on the Dinos as they face off against Regina at UCalgary’s first-ever Sustainable Basketball Game! Learn about sustainability on campus, win great prizes and visit our photo booth. Don’t forget to bring your own reusable cup/mug for free drinks.
• Oct. 26: Sustainable Development Goals Workshop for Academics — As an academic who may be engaged in sustainability-related research and/or teaching, you are invited to a luncheon workshop to explore sustainability in the context of teaching and research with visiting scholar Dr. Marjan van den Belt.

In addition to these signature events, be sure to take part in the #SustWeek social media challenge running Oct. 22-26. Entering is easy! Snap a photo of yourself participating in Sustainability Week and post on Instagram with the hashtag #SustWeek. Don't forget to tag @ucalgarysustain. Ways to participate include:

• Attending an event/workshop/seminar/or showcase
• Visiting a booth during Sustainability Week
• Participating in a sustainable action like composting, using a reusable water bottle, cycling, etc.

One post per person will be entered in a draw for the following great prizes:

• Wellness prize pack: Corksicle canteen, Kicking Horse coffee, sweater, sleep headphones, Fitbit (valued at $420)
• On-the-go prize pack: backpack, travel mug, lunch bag, Spork, straw set, notebook, reusable UCalgary water bottle (valued at $120)

Be sure to read the complete contest rules. 

Convinced that you should take part in Sustainability Week? We hope so! Remember, every small action creates change. Start with one during Sustainability Week:

• Stop by a booth (located at various places around campus during the week)
• Attend a workshop or event
• Certify your office or next event as sustainable
• Enter to win great prizes on social media (@ucalgarysustain)
• Questions? Reach out to sustain@ucalgary.ca.