September: Sustainability at Mt. SAC
September 14, 2023 - 10:37 AM
Sustainability at Mt. SAC
The three pillars of sustainability are PEOPLE, PLANET, and PROSPERITY.
Welcome to the new academic year! We hope your semester is off to a great start and that you were able to share a lot of wonderful quality time with friends and family this summer.
For those of you who are new to our campus community, we would like to introduce ourselves and share sustainability-related information with you. Please look out for our newsletter every month and please feel free to reach out to us anytime!
The Sustainability Coordinator for our campus is currently: Dr. Tania Anders (tanders1@mtsac.edu). Tania is a faculty member in the Earth Sciences and Astronomy Department and is currently also serving as Academic Senate Co-VP. Tania’s primary focus related to sustainability at Mt. SAC is to help with the implementation of Mt. SAC’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) as it relates to the instruction and student side of the house, e.g. infusing sustainability into the curriculum. She regularly offers training for faculty, (see below), mentors student interns, hosts events, and co-presents with the Director of Sustainability at local and national level conferences.
The Sustainability Director for the campus is Eera Babtiwale (ebabtiwale@mtsac.edu). Eera primarily oversees our Climate Action Plan (CAP) on the facilities side of the house, with the larger goal of decreasing the College’s carbon footprint and getting to zero emissions by 2050. She works closely with the Sustainability Coordinator, Dr. Tania Anders, as well as with faculty, staff, and students across campus to implement meaningful sustainability measures in the areas of energy, water, waste, urban forestry, and transportation.
For Faculty
Mt. SAC Sustainability Video and Website
Professors, please share this Mt. SAC Sustainability Video with your students to introduce them to Sustainability at Mt. SAC. This short video will provide students with an overview of what sustainability is, and how they may pursue sustainability in their own academic and professional careers.
The Mt.SAC Sustainability website is also a great place to get information on all things sustainability at Mt.SAC.
Embedding Sustainability Into Your Curriculum Professional Development Training
Faculty, did you know that we offer training just for you to help you infuse sustainability into your curriculum? Faculty who complete the course earn a leaf symbol on the course schedule! Please see the Course Lead flyer for more information or reach out to Tania Anders with questions you may have.
Upcoming Events
Climate Action Palooza at West LA College
October 24 - 26, 2023
West LA College
Join this 3-day Climate Action Palooza that will engage students, faculty, staff, external partners, and the community at large in various aspects of climate action, education, and workforce development in the green and blue sectors. Events will include talks and panels with climate leaders and experts, exhibits, climate action-inspired art shows, workshops, hands-on activities, and displays by industry partners. Attendees can register for one, two, or three days. All events are free and open to the public. Register now for the 3-Day Climate Action Palooza here.
Broadening Participation in Undergraduate Climate Education Conference
September 14-15, 2023
Harvey Mudd College
This one-day conference will convene climate experts, teacher-scholars from other disciplines and community partners to discuss the future of climate education for undergraduates. A theme throughout the conference will be broadening participation in climate education on our campuses and in our communities. For more information about the structure and rules of the competition, visit the Climate Education Conference website.
Mt.SAC National Drive Electric Week Events
September 28th, 2023, 10 am - 1 pm
In front of Primestop and Building 4
9-28 | National Drive Electric Week (NDEW)
Come by the walkway in front of Primestop and Building 4 to check out electric cars and bikes on display. Learn how you can
qualify for incentives for electric vehicle purchases, find out where our electric
charging stations are on campus, and become more familiar with our on-campus bus transit
center.
September 30th, 2023, 1 pm – 5 pm
Mt. SAC Campus
9-30 | National Drive Electric Week (NDEW).
Mt. SAC will be hosting a National Drive Electric Week (NDEW). NDEW is a nationwide celebration to raise awareness of the many benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more. Come learn about incentives for electric vehicles, and test drive electric cars and bikes. Register for the National Drive Electric Week Event.
Sustainability Spotlight
Mt. SAC Climate Action Plan (CAP) 2023
Mt. SAC’s Climate Action Planning will provide an update to Mt.SAC’s first CAP published in 2018. The updated CAP will provide an overview of the college’s current carbon footprint, present strategies for reducing emissions, summarize our accomplishments to date, and set new goals for CAP 2023. Areas of focus include: Energy, Transportation, Waste, Water, Curriculum, Institutionalization, Professional Development, and Community Outreach.
If you are interested in joining a focus group, or if you know of students who are interested in participating, please contact: Eera Babtiwale ebabtiwale@mtsac.edu or Tania Anders tanders1@mtsac.edu
Mt. SAC Student Center
Our beautiful new Student Center is open! Check out this state-of-the-art, sustainably designed and constructed building
in the heart of campus that hosts a number of amazing study, socialization, recreation,
and dining spaces such as Student Government, Club offices, a TV lounge, C-store and
Café, multiple meeting rooms, study pods, and an event center.
Food for Thought
September Sustainable Recipes
Check out a list of delicious and sustainable recipes at Pick Up Limes!
