What is Sustainability?
Simply defined, sustainability is meeting contemporary needs without compromising the ability of future generations to satisfy their needs. More comprehensively, it means looking at the issues and problems facing our world with a new perspective – one that focuses on three interdependent areas of concern: ecological preservation, economic viability, and social justice.
To be sustainable, a practice must preserve rather than destroy its ecological base, ensure rather than undermine long-term economic benefits, and advance rather than retard matters of fairness, equity, and diversity.
The University of Florida has a special obligation to meet the challenges of sustainability. As educators we play a leading role in training the scientific, social, political and cultural leaders, professionals and policy-makers who will make a difference in the world. Additionally, we consume significant resources here on campus, and whether the world is a better or worse place when our students become its citizens, parents, and leaders will be, in no small part, a function of the values, knowledge and skills they receive here.
Stewardship
The university encourages all members of the Gator Nation to take responsibility for the environmental, economic, and social consequences of their individual and collective actions. This mindset will help create a culture shift and the creation of common/collective norms that support sustainability. It will highlight the need for sustainability to become part of everyday life and operations for the UF community – for the campus to be a living laboratory for sustainable practices and behaviors.
The Office of Sustainability is a resource that works to build and strengthen the networks that are needed to create a sustainable UF. In addition to our many programs and campaigns at the institutional level, the Green Team Network supports employees in their efforts to make UF a model of sustainability in higher education. The office also hosts the Sustainability Hut, a movable sustainability education tool, provides an opportunity for the campus community to gain knowledge, ask questions and give feedback on different topics of sustainability through weekly, interactive activities.
In addition to the Office of Sustainability, the joint-standing Sustainability Committee, numerous student organizations across campus, Student Government, and the Student Senate support a culture of sustainability at UF. The senate initiated an agency for sustainability, Gators Going Green, and passed a 2007 resolution honoring the office and its commitment to promoting sustainability. The fraternities and sororities support sustainability through their Greeks Going Green campaign.
History – Turning a new leaf
The greening of the University of Florida began in 1990 when President Lombardi signed the Talloires Declaration, pledging to make environmental education and research a central goal in this institution.
After more than a decade of student, faculty, and administrative commitment to sustainability on campus, The University of Florida (UF) inaugurated its first fully funded Office of Sustainability on February 1, 2006.
The university’s ad hoc sustainability task force officially evolved into a joint standing committee of the faculty senate on August 15, 2006. The President of the university created and funded the office following resolutions from both the faculty and student senates.
History and Milestones
- 1994: UF joined 310 universities world-wide in signing the Talloires Declaration, pledging support to reduce environmental degradation and natural resource depletion.
- 1997: The Greening UF program was initiated as a grassroots movement of students, faculty and staff from across the campus for environmental stewardship.
- 2000: An Office of Sustainability was established within the College of Design, Construction and Planning to facilitate, among other things, sustainability initiatives on campus.
- 2001: UF adopted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria for design and construction for all major new construction and renovation projects to deliver high performance and sustainable building design to the University of Florida, and a Sustainability Task Force was created jointly by the President and Faculty Senate, following a Faculty Senate proposal of December 2000.
- 2002: The Task Force released its Final Report and the Faculty Senate endorsed it.
- 2004: A Student Senate Resolution (#1041) urged the creation of a university office of sustainability with “full administrative support.” An ad-hoc Sustainability Committee was established through appointments from the Faculty Senate and President Machen.
- 2005: President Machen gave a speech on National Campus Sustainability day setting goals for campus sustainability and pledging to deliver an annual report card on the university’s efforts. The search for a Director of a new Office of Sustainability, housed under the Office of Business Affairs, began.
- 2006: President Machen signs the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment, and hires a Director of the Office of Sustainability, while numerous other task forces take shape.
- A Zero Waste Task Force begins meeting to plan for more comprehensive recycling and cradle-to-cradle efforts, and an Energy & Climate Change Task Force assembles to enhance reduction of greenhouse gases and other initiatives.
- UF hosts first Florida Campus & Community Sustainability conference at which President Machen gives his first speech on the university’s efforts.
- 2007: UF hosts National Campus Sustainability Day at which President Machen gives his first annual “report card” on the state of sustainability at UF. The UF Green Team network is established and a second staff is hired.
- 2008: UF hosts its first annual One Less Car challenge. The strategic vision, Vision for a Sustainable UF is published.
- 2009: The office launches a new energy efficiency campaign, Chomp Down on Energy. Implementation plans to accompany the Vision’s guiding principles are drafted.
- 2010: The office hosts the Florida Food Summit in April, bringing stakeholders from around UF and the state to discuss food systems issues and opportunities. The first rooftop solar panels are installed on campus on the Florida Museum of Natural History. Third staff hired.
- 2011: University’s first Zero Waste coordinator hired. Office launches a departmental bike pilot program and a conservation area adoption program for campus: Adopt-A-”Swamp.” In the fall, all dining services on campus become styrofoam free, and the office publishes a five-year report, Reaching the Vision.
UF Presidential Sustainability Speeches
Sustainability at UF Earth Day – Friday, April 6, 2012
Sustainability at UF Earth Day – Friday, April 1, 2011
Sustainability at UF Earth Day – Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Sustainability at UF Earth Day – Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Sustainability Report Card – October 24, 2007
Campus & Community Sustainability Conference – October 25, 2006
