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IUPUI
July 2020 
IUPUI Sustainability Newsletter
LATEST NEWS
STARS Gold Logo

Keep An Eye Out For Requests: 
Data Collection for 2020 STARS Report Begins 

The IUPUI Sustainability team has begun the annual process of collecting data for the campus-wide 2020 STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System) Report. "With most students away for the summer, we’re able to switch our focus from engagement to reporting," said IUPUI Sustainability Director, Jessica Davis. "Summer is an ideal time for us to gather the information necessary to quantify IUPUI’s sustainability performance over the past year and set our benchmarks for the next year.”

Starting this year, IUPUI Sustainability will begin reporting campus sustainability performance data on an annual basis. This shift to annual reporting, in comparison to every three years as was previously done, will allow for a more swift and thorough capture of data, rather than a massive overhaul.

The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System ("STARS") is a globally recognized self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS is a program of AASHE - the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. In the fall of 2019, IUPUI achieved a STARS Gold Rating for the first time in the campus' history. 


HIGHLIGHT
Play It Back: The Economic Value of Preparedness and Resilience, Webinar Recording Now Available
You may now view a recording of The Economic Value of Preparedness and Resilience, a webinar featuring our very own director, Jessica Davis, and hosted by IU's Environmental Resilience Institute as part of their Prepared for Environmental Change Webinar Series.  

About the webinar:
Climate change response is costly, and preparedness measures are much less expensive. But it can be hard to justify expenditures now when the future is uncertain and there are other immediate needs for scarce resources. Tune in to learn about resources that help local governments make informed decisions on where to allocate funding, and how to weigh outcomes versus expenditures.
Webinar Preview
Watch The Economic Value of Preparedness and Resilience
 
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STORY
Ground Breaking Study: IUPUI Researchers Measure One Threat of Climate Change Using Satellite Data
A new study led by ecohydrologists at IUPUI has shown for the first time that it's possible to use satellite data to measure the threat of climate change to ecological systems that depend on water from fog. The paper, published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters , presents the first clear evidence that the relationship between fog levels and vegetation status is measurable using remote sensing. The discovery opens up the potential to easily and rapidly assess fog's impact on ecological health across large land masses -- as compared to painstaking ground-level observation. Read the full story.

Census 2020 Logo
CALL TO ACTION
Count Me In: IU Encourages Students, Faculty and Staff to Fill Out 2020 Census
If you have not yet, be sure to complete the 2020 Census by submitting online, by phone or by mail. Data collected from the census measures the country's demographics, is used to draw boundaries for congressional, state legislative and school districts, and determines how more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed annually to communities across the nation.

Read IU's call to action for all in the university community to fill out the 2020 Census.

Indiana Recycling Coalition Logo
REPORT
Hot Off The Press: IRC Releases Results of 2020 Recycling Infrastructure Study
The Indiana Recycling Coalition has released the results of their Northwest Regional Recycling Infrastructure Study, produced in partnership with Purdue University Environmental and Ecological Engineering Program . The in-depth study of a 10-county region of Northwest Indiana zeroed in on residential recycling activities via remote recycling drop offs, curbside collection programs, and public and private recycling centers in the region. Topics studied included education efforts, contamination, access, material flow, programmatic challenges, and investment opportunities. Download the report to read the full findings. 
RECOMMENDED READING
Indy Star
New Indianapolis nonprofit helps Hoosiers turn their homes carbon neutral
Inside Indiana Business
Indiana Farmer Testifies on Carbon Credit Legislation
Indiana Environmental Reporter
Indiana utilities move away from coal despite legislature’s efforts
The Washington Post
Perspective | I’m a black climate expert. Racism derails our efforts to save the planet.
CAMPUS EVENTS
Wednesday, July 8
Webinar: Managing Extreme Heat
Currently, heat kills more people in the U.S. than any other weather hazard and heat waves are projected to worsen over the next 30 years. The most vulnerable populations such as senior citizens, residents in poor housing stock without air conditioning, and those experiencing homelessness are at the highest risk from heat. As heat waves become more frequent and intense, it will be increasingly important for local governments to develop community response plans for heat. Join the Environmental Resilience Institute as we discuss how extreme temperatures can impact your community and strategies for developing extreme heat response plans. 

WHEN: 12 - 1 PM
WHERE: Register Via Zoom
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Every Saturday
Community Yoga, Meditation and Dyads
Social Distancing doesn't have to mean Social Isolation. Join Indy Community Yoga in practice with other individuals over Zoom! Schedule includes yoga, zen meditation, paired mindful speaking and listening, and a discussion. Learn more.

WHEN: 8:30 AM - 12 PM
WHERE: Both in-person and online
                Online: Join Via Zoom
                In-Person: The Virginia Fairbanks Art and Nature Park (100 Acres) 
                                   1850 W 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46228

Wednesday, July 15
Solar 101 Webinar for Boone, Hamilton and Marion County Homeowners
Join the Indiana Solar Co-op to learn about solar energy and how the nonprofit Solar Co-ops simplify the process of going solar on your home or small business, by granting you access to a group rate for your solar installation. This webinar will discuss co-op opportunities in Boone, Hamilton, and Marion County.

WHEN: 6:30 - 8 PM
WHERE: Register Via Zoom

Saturday, July 18
Earth Day Indiana Festival
Join the fun at the Earth Day Indiana Festival in downtown Indianapolis at the historic Military Park. The FREE festival will feature over 110 exhibitors, live music, food trucks, beer garden, and a 5K run/walk. Kid's activities include Nine13sports' Kids Riding Bikes and more! Registration not required.

WHEN: 11 AM - 4 PM
WHERE: Military Park
                601 West New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Saturday, July 18
Earth Day Indiana Recycle Run 
Get your sweat on at Earth Day Indiana Festival's Recycle Run - a 5K (3.11 miles) run or walk along a scenic route in downtown Indianapolis! The 5th annual Recycle Run 5K begins and finishes at Historic Military Park at White River State Park, but the majority of the course will take you along the White River. A 1-mile walk is also available. Register to participate

WHEN: 12 - 2 PM
WHERE: Military Park
                601 West New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202
Celebrating 200 years
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IUPUI Sustainability
980 Indiana Avenue Room 4408
Indianapolis, IN 46202