Welcome

Socially Just // Environmentally Respectful // Economically Sound

 

Sustain Sewanee aspires to create an inclusive atmosphere of collaborative and sustainable action,                   empower the Sewanee community, and build an equitable future together. 

Hello and Welcome. Sustain Sewanee serves as a hub for student and community engagement around climate action and environmental justice. Additionally, this is where you can find data, updates, and information about the University's commitments, actions, and progress toward Net Carbon Neutrality via a wide variety of programs, projects, and initiatives. Finally, Sustain Sewanee aggregates news and other resources useful to understanding and pursuing "sustainability" at home, at work, in our region, and throughout the globe. 

Energy

The University actively manages over 1.5 million square feet of building space. From 2014-2018 Sewanee decreased kW hour consumption by 7% even as a 7.7% increase in square footage was added. Additionally, 747,000 kW hours of renewable energy are purchased annually from TVA's Green Power Switch. A little over half Sewanee's energy comes from renewable or nuclear sources. 

Water

In the first year of closely tracking water usage data (2016-2017), the University decreased water usage per campus user by 6.3% and water usage per square foot of floor space by 9.8%. Additionally, a state-of-the-art frictionless central water chiller system provides cooling to a vast array of central campus buildings. This central chiller requires half the energy as would be needed for individual building units. 

Clubs + Organizations
Get Involved!
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Leaders
Sustainability in Action
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Work Study + Fellows
The "Glue"
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Green House
Eco-minded theme house
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Waste Streams

A priority on campus has long been on reducing and imaginatively re-using waste prior to disposal. As a rural college, few technologies are available in our region to support widespread waste diversion efforts. Sewanee works hard to enculture behavioral changes, recycling and composting habits, and pre-consumption awareness. 

Transportation

Being a residential college provides much in the way of climate-saving reductions in emissions due to car travel. The Sewanee campus is relatively centralized, enabling students and residents to walk or bike with relative ease. 

Resources

Coming Soon:

A variety of helpful resources, links, and articles to support you on your journey to understand climate change and the ways in which we all can contribute to living and working in a more balanced way on the earth. 

Honors + Commitments

Carbon Neutral by 2030
Sewanee's Commitment
Learn More
AASHE Stars - Silver
Our Sustainability Ranking
Sewanee STARS link
Sustainability Master Plan
Vision for the Future
2013 SMP
ACUPCC
Climate Leadership in Colleges
Climate Commitment

events + opportunities

Move In / Move Out

Waste Diversion Efforts - students collect items to keep them out of the landfill and in circulation

Green Convene

Eco-minded student groups gather for an afternoon of fun, frolicking, and sharing of passion. Stop by in the fall to learn more. 

Spooky Sustainability

An All Hallows Eve gathering to learn whilst DIYing some earth-friendly decor.

Earth Week

Honoring the birth of the environmental movement from 1970 to today. April is chock full of speakers, activities, and calls to action. 

Hospitality Shop

The Hospitality Shop is an entirely volunteer-run thrift store. Dedicated to keeping small items from entering the waste stream, Sewanee's Hospitality Shop has been serving customers for over ## years. Your helping hands are welcome. 

Contact To Help
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