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Chico State

Sustainability: Putting Education into Practice

Pheonix. Brady Harris

By Sarah Anderson, AS Sustainability Marketing Consultant

Sustainability is about being kind to the earth and all of its creatures; it means leaving the earth better than we found it. Sustainability considers future generations in any decision that is made today.

sust info graphicBut, what does sustainability look like at Chico State?

Students at Chico State come from a diverse background and may not have an understanding of what it means to be sustainable. They may not be aware of the amount of water that is wasted from leaving a faucet on while brushing their teeth or from running a dishwasher or washing machine when it is not full. Students may not be aware of the carbon dioxide and pollution entering our atmosphere from cars and other vehicles that are driven to school every day, which has a major effect on climate change. They may not be aware of the amount of trash heading to landfills that could be recycled, re-purposed, or reduced.

Educating the students at Chico State is one of the main reasons AS Sustainability was created. Located in Bell Memorial Union (BMU) 005, we are here to help students become aware that changing little habits every day does make a big difference.

At Chico State, students can be sustainable. Some simple things students can do are:

  • Bike or walk to school.
  • Use recycled paper for class notes and assignments.
  • Conserve water in the dorms and at home.
  • Compost food waste at the Marketplace or Sutter Dining.
  • Use energy saving computer settings.
  • Invest in green school supplies.
  • Shop at the Farmers Market or buy more local food.
  • Buy vintage at secondhand stores.
  • Recycle.
  • Learn to live with less.

AS sust logoLooking for an Internship in Sustainability?

AS Sustainability also offers 2–3 unit internships every semester for students who are passionate about initiating positive change on Chico State’s campus.

For more information on how to get involved, visit their website here or give them a call at (530) 898-6677.