Earth (Day/Week/Month): Medical School showcases carbon neutrality activities

The Medical School will showcase ongoing efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by hosting activities that coincide with Earth Day on April 22, as well as Earth Week from April 22-26. 

Medical School Facilities, in collaboration with the U-M Office of Campus Sustainability, will host an Earth Day information table from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. in Building 18 at the North Campus Research Complex (NCRC). Activities include: a “Know Where to Throw” composting game, a low-carbon food giveaway, Planet Blue ambassador training, and “plant and post” seed paper (#UMPlant&Post). In addition, there will be information on hosting zero-waste events and participating in the laboratory Freezer Challenge, as well as recycling programs and ongoing projects aimed at energy conservation.

The University of Michigan is committed to achieving net-zero emissions from purchased power by 2025; eliminating direct, on-campus greenhouse gas emissions by 2040; and instilling a university-wide culture of sustainability. Choosing foods with small carbon footprints will play a big part in reaching these emissions goals.

Starting Monday, and continuing throughout the week, Picasso at NCRC will participate in carbon food labeling, following an existing program used by MDining. Food will be labeled green for low carbon, yellow for medium carbon, and red for high carbon. Picasso also will feature a special low-carbon food menu from April 22-26.

The larger University of Michigan community has planned an Earth Month celebration. Details can be found HERE.

A Carbon Neutrality Council is leading the medical school’s sustainability efforts with goals to incorporate sustainability and carbon neutrality into the school’s core values; generate awareness and create engagement throughout the school community; implement projects that reduce or avoid expansion of the school’s carbon footprint; and incentivize behaviors that support sustainability.

Among recent successes: 70 Medical School labs have started the sustainable lab certification process, with 19 achieving certification (including four at the platinum level); 38 sustainability leads have been named throughout Medical School departments; 32.7% of large events held since October 2023 have been zero waste; and 16 UMMS labs have participated in the Freezer Challenge. 

Faculty, staff and learners can click HERE to access an online form that will “pull together ideas from the U-M Medical School community to make all voices heard as we build toward our shared carbon neutrality goals.”