Day-to-day decisions about what we eat, the ways we move, and how much waste we leave behind are crucial to ensuring future generations can thrive. But meeting the needs of tomorrow can be tough when so much of our energy is focused on today.
As Dal sustainability planners and advocates will showcase over the next several weeks, though, even small changes can have a big impact.听
"Sustainability touches every part of campus life 鈥� from how we move, to what we eat and how much waste we generate," says Stephanie MacPhee, executive director of Dal's Office of Sustainability, which is hosting听听(myDal login required) all through October.听
The month-long campaign will be organized into five themed weeks, with dozens of activities and events planned across the university:听
Oct. 1-3:听听
Oct. 6-10:听听
Oct. 13-17:听听
Oct. 20-24:听听
Oct. 25-31:听听
This year鈥檚 programming features a variety of free events, challenges, and activities designed for students, faculty, staff, and alumni.听听
There鈥檚 a way for everyone to get involved.
Some highlights include a $0.50 discount on hot and cold drinks (not pre-bottled) when you bring your own reusable cup at all non-franchise food retail locations on campus, electric vehicle and e-bike test rides, and a residence-wide competition to reduce waste, water, and energy consumption.
鈥淲hether you鈥檙e hopping on an e-bike, competing in your residence, or simply bringing your own mug (BYOM) for coffee, there鈥檚 a way for everyone to get involved,鈥� says MacPhee.听听
Hope matters
A this Thursday (Oct.2) with Dr. Elin Kelsey should help set a hopeful tone for the month.听
Dr. Kelsey, an internationally recognized thought-leader, scholar, and advocate for evidence-based hope in the face of environmental challenges, will deliver a talk based on her book,听.
Dr. Erin Kelsey.
The free, open-to-all talk will be presented as part of the College of Sustainability鈥檚 Evening Lecture series.听听
Attendees will also hear sustainability progress updates from the Office of Sustainability at the event. MacPhee will highlight achievements in waste management and greenhouse-gas emission reductions at the university, with a full report expected later this fall.听
See the full schedule听for the month below and on 听(login required).
Week by week
All Month Long: Ongoing & Passive Engagement Opportunities
Take part in Sustainability Month every day with these easy, ongoing opportunities across campus 鈥� even if you can鈥檛 attend a scheduled event.
BYOM Discount:听Bring your own reusable mug or cup to any non-franchise campus food retail location (excluding DSU) for听$0.50 off听hot or cold drinks (not pre-bottled). Every cup counts!听.
- 鈥淓very Choice Leaves a Mark鈥� & Climate Calls-to-Action:听Walk through corridors like Killam Library or the SUB to see floor decals highlighting the climate impact of everyday activities, and simple actions you can take to reduce your impact 鈥� like 鈥淪witch to a reusable mug鈥� or using public and active transportation options.
听 Sustainability Tips & Program Opportunities:听Follow us on Instagram听听for quick tips, tricks, and info about programs like听听and the听听().
- :听Visit the SUB every Wednesday for affordable, fresh produce and locally grown cut flowers.
听 Free Store Donations:听Bring your gently used items to the, located in the Mona Campbell Building outside the College of Sustainability, to give them a second life and reduce campus waste.
:听Participate in friendly, ongoing challenges to earn points for your residence or team while reducing waste, energy, and water use.
Week 1: Climate & Energy (Oct 1 鈥� Oct 3)
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Kick off the month with trivia, tours, and a keynote on how to stay hopeful in the fight against climate change.
Week 2: Food (Oct 6 鈥� 10)
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Explore the connections between what we eat, our health, and sustainability 鈥� from Fair Trade to plant-based cooking.
Week 3: Transportation (Oct 13 鈥� 17)
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Test ride an EV or e-bike, hop on the bus, or join peers in rethinking how we move around campus and the city.
Date TBA 鈥� Free Test Ride with BIRD
Wednesday, Oct 15听from听10AM-4PM听鈥撎�(Studley Quad)
promotion throughout the week
Week 4: Waste (Oct 20 鈥� 24)
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Reduce, reuse, and rethink 鈥� from BYOM discounts to clothing swaps and tours of Halifax鈥檚 recycling system.
Dates TBA听鈥� BYOM for a Free Fair Trade Brew (Mobile cross-campus cart)
Tuesday, Oct 21 and Thursday, Oct 23 (times TBA)听鈥� Free Store donation drop-off
Week 5: Natural Environment (Oct 25 鈥� 31)
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Get outside, get your hands dirty, and give back.
听
- Wednesday, Oct 29听from听11-11:45AM听鈥� Planting Event (More details coming soon)