The Climate Literacy 101 interactive workshop is designed to interpret the science and impacts of climate change for broad action, on campus and beyond.
We will be joined by special guests Melvin Carter, Mayor of St. Paul, and Dr. Heidi Roop, Assistant Director for Climate Services, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and UMN Climate Adaptation Partnership.
Thursday, November 14th, 11am-2pm. Coffman Union, Mississippi Room (3rd floor). M Food Co. is providing a "climate cool" lunch.
About Mayor Melvin Carter:
A fourth-generation Saint Paul resident, Mayor Carter leads with an unapologetic equity agenda. Since taking office in 2018, his accomplishments include raising the city’s minimum wage; tripling free program in rec centers; eliminating late fines in public libraries; reestablishing an Affordable Housing Trust Fund; expanding immigrant & refugee support resources; and launching an Office of Financial Empowerment. One signature initiative is CollegeBound Saint Paul, Mayor Carter’s plan to start every child born in the city with a $50 College Savings Account, starting January 1, 2020.
Passionate about helping others engage in civic processes, Mayor Carter has trained progressive activists and candidates in over 30 states, and commonly recites his administration’s mantra: “Building a city that works for us all means we all must do the work.”
Prior to his election in 2017, Mayor Carter has served as a Saint Paul City Council Member; Founding Board Chair of the Saint Paul Promise Neighborhood; Director of the Minnesota Office of Early Learning; and Executive Director of the Minnesota Children’s Cabinet.
A proud graduate of the Saint Paul public schools, Mayor Carter holds a Bachelor’s Degree in business administration from Florida A&M University and a Master of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. He resides in Saint Paul with his wife, Dr. Sakeena Futrell-Carter, and their children.
About Dr. Heidi Roop:
Dr. Heidi Roop is Deputy Director for Services, and also serves as Assistant Director for Climate Services at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, where she is detailed from the University of Minnesota.
Heidi is the Director of the Climate Adaptation Partnership and an Assistant Professor of Climate Science and Extension Specialist at the University of Minnesota. Her applied climate research and Extension program draws upon multiple disciplines, from climate and decision science to public health and hydrology, to help local and state governments, Tribes, communities and businesses understand and effectively manage their changing climate risks.
Heidi's climate science research has taken her around the world, from Antarctica and Greenland to the shores of Lake Superior. In addition to her appointments at the University of Minnesota, she also is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the School of Public Health at the University of Washington and has served as expert advisor to a range of organizations and agencies as they seek to build resilience to climate change.
🌱 Shape Sustainability Stories at UMN
📣 We want to hear from you! Help us better understand what kinds of sustainability stories and social media content are most useful, engaging, and exciting to our campus community. The short survey takes about 5 minutes to complete and is open to all. Enter your email at the end for a chance to win a $25 Visa gift card!
Thanks for helping us build a stronger, more connected sustainability community at the U! Learn more
"Illicit discharges are considered 'illicit' because MS4s are not designed to accept, process, or discharge such non-stormwater wastes." (EPA) As water runs down the street into storm drains, contaminated with illicit discharge (such as cigarette butts, trash, salt, vehicle fluids, or yard waste) from the street, it flows back down through the stormwater system and back into the river. Learn how you can help or report illicit discharge on campus.
Collective action works—and this spring’s Campus Conservation Competition proved it. Over 140 students across 11 residence halls joined the effort to reduce energy use, and the results were clear: small actions added up to real, measurable change. Students led the charge, raising awareness and cutting consumption in just three weeks. The numbers speak for themselves! Read more
Facilities Management staff: Join us for an Electric Vehicle Test Drive event!
Test drive hybrid and fully electric vehicles that could fit your department's needs. Fleet Services and Office of Sustainability staff will be onsite to answer your questions.
Wednesday, May 7th, 11:00am - 1:30pm
Fleet Services (901 29th Ave SE, Minneapolis)
Refreshments provided!
Share this event: z.umn.edu/EVtestdrive
The UMN Office of Sustainability and Campus Cleanup Crew are joining for a Stormwater Cleanup event focused on protecting our environment and keeping campus beautiful. Taking place at Knoll Park outside Peik Hall, we invite students to learn about stormwater's impact while taking direct action through litter cleanup. It's the perfect way to give back and get involved! 🌎
Not sure where your waste goes on campus? You’re not alone. The University of Minnesota is working to divert 90% of waste from landfills through recycling and composting. Nearly 60% of trash could be sorted better—your choices matter. Want to help UMN go zero waste? Get involved and join the conversation today. Learn more and take the survey.
April is Earth Month! Check out our frequently updated list of events to get involved. Check it out.
Have an event to share? Email us.
In 2024, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities achieved 9,864,660 kilowatt hours in electricity savings, surpassing the highest level of conservation goal set by Xcel Energy. That’s enough electricity to power 1,100 average Minnesota homes for a year and avoid 7.6 million pounds of CO2 emissions. As a result of our efforts through energy projects on campus, the University received $724,815 in rebates, plus an additional $147,246 for reaching our goal. The rebate ultimately goes back into a cycle within the University, allowing us to continue investing in energy reduction and working to reduce our energy use. The pie chart below highlights where these savings came from, with Lighting (35%) and HVAC (24%) contributing the most. Thanks to Energy Management and all who support these efforts!
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