Texas A&M Celebrates Earth Day
This Earth Day — an annual event to demonstrate support for environmental protection — learn more about the progress Texas A&M University has made in making the campus more sustainable.
According to the 2022 Sustainability Highlights Report, Texas A&M defines sustainability as “the efficient, deliberate and responsible preservation of environmental, social and economic resources to protect the earth for future generations of Aggies, the Texas A&M community and beyond.” The report details notable strides the university has made over the years, despite its massive growth.
Sustainability Strides
Texas A&M has reduced waste, energy use and water use thanks to the hard work of students, faculty and staff, said Kelly Wellman, director of the Office of Sustainability.
“Across campus, the use of alternative transportation such as bikes, skateboards and buses is also reducing our carbon footprint,” she said. “It’s a real testament to individual actions making a collective impact.”
Just one of many notable highlights from the report: Texas A&M used 7% less total energy in fiscal year 2022 than it did in 2002, even though the campus has grown by 67% over the past two decades.
There has also been a 58% reduction in potable water use on campus since 1991; 51% of sponsored researchers on campus are engaged in sustainability-related research; and 71% of waste was diverted from landfills through recycling, composting and/or donation and reuse.
Office of Sustainability Celebrates 15 Years
The office was created in March 2008 to enhance the university’s sustainability efforts.
“For 15 years, Texas A&M has demonstrated our loyalty to the future by respecting, protecting and preserving the financial, environmental and people resources that ensure Aggies have a sustainable home for the next 15 years and all years that come,” wrote Susan Ballabina, chief external affairs officer and senior vice president of Academic and Strategic Collaborations, in the recently released 2022 Sustainability Highlights Report.
According to the Office of Sustainability, its mission includes the promotion of sustainable practices on and off campus in academic and non-academic settings. The office also provides resources to those who wish to incorporate sustainable practices into their work and life, and advocates for sustainable programs and initiatives.
Texas A&M also has received its fifth Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS) Gold Rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE).
For more information about sustainability at Texas A&M and for updates on Earth Month events, visit the Office of Sustainability website.
