Updates
The Office of Sustainability will have variable in-person hours for the indefinite future, but is open virtually during normal business hours. Please subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates or email sustainability@ohio.edu with questions.
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, adapted 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 facilitatesthe implementation of the Ohio University Sustainability and Climate Action Plan by providing services and support to the campus community and ensuresfulfillment of institutional commitments to environmental, social and economic well-being.
News and Announcements
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Ohio University recognized as state’s top ...
November 13, 2024
Ohio University has been recognized as the top “Green School” in the state of Ohio, and among the “Top 50 Green Schools” nationally, within the Princeton Review’s 2025 Guide to Green Colleges.(opens in a new window)
As part of this list, OHIO is being recognized for its “superb sustainability practices, a strong foundation in sustainability education and a healthy quality of life for students on campus.”
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Simple Science: What does the Trump presid...
November 8, 2024
On Tuesday, students walked across campus proudly displaying “I Voted” stickers stuck to their short-sleeved t-shirts. Voters basked on College Green, taking in a balmy 75-degree day before the election results arrived. Later that night, Donald Trump was announced as the 47th President of the United States, along with his drastic climate policies.
On Election Day, cities nationwide set records for high temperatures. Around the world, scientists clamored to spread the news that 2024 will be the first year on record to breach the 1.5-degree Celsius warming limit. Each data set is a testament to the importance of climate change policy.
Yet, despite recent devastating environmental events, climate change took a backseat during this year's election cycle. Hurricanes Milton and Helene tore across entire towns, wiping out whole communities. Droughts raged through Southeast Ohio, snapping the agriculture industry under its impacts. The U.S. lost billions of dollars to environmental disasters in the last year.
Elected officials determine the next steps for climate policy. By electing Donald Trump as president, the U.S. has put him in charge of deciding our future climate. Examining his last presidential term puts what awaits ahead for climate change policy into perspective.
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Sustainability accounting: Using accountin...
November 6, 2024
When the average person thinks of accounting, they likely think of something monetary and rooted in finance. While it is true many accountants measure financial impact, recently, their skills are also being applied to sustainability—measuring environmental impact, social impact, emissions, employee well-being, energy usage and more.
Dr. Jennifer Stevens , an associate professor in OHIO’s College of Business says that her students are different today. More and more students have a desire to use accounting to make an impact and benefit society, and sustainability accounting is a career option for students to do just that.
Upcoming Events
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Office of Sustainability Featured Programs
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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!
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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.
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Sustainability Project Laboratory
Students, do you need an idea for a course project or thesis? Faculty, are you looking for project ideas for a project-based course? Our Sustainability Project Laboratory may have the projects you are looking for! These projects are designed to advance goals in the Ohio University Sustainability & Climate Action Plan while providing experiential and/or community-engaged learning opportunties for students.
Sustainability Hubs
We welcome participants to our Sustainability Hubs! The dates and topics for the Hub Seminar Series can be found on the Calendar of University events . For more information, please sign up for our newsletter or visit our Hub webpages . For other sustainability events, please visit the Calendar of University events , and search using the keyword "sustainability."