Earth Day is every day at Pitt

From committing to carbon neutrality to transforming the regional economy with green investments, Earth Day is every day at Pitt.

To celebrate, Pittwire is revisiting stories that highlight the accomplishments of Pitt’s community and its continued commitment to sustainability. Check out stories of our sustainability champions, green research and student efforts to make the world a better place.

Plus, we’ve got 10 tips for celebrating Earth Day in your own home, every day.

Pitt’s commitments, research and student successes

In case you missed it: The University of Pittsburgh has committed to achieve carbon neutrality by 2037, Pitt’s 250th anniversary. The Pitt Climate Action Plan, released in early 2022, spells out exactly how the University will achieve that goal through investments in clean energy, transportation, efficiency and other areas.

And here are still more efforts that show the University’s progress. For the most up to date news on green initiatives, visit Pitt Sustainability’s website.

Pitt’s latest greenhouse gas inventory shows progress toward carbon neutrality
A report led by grad student Jessica Vaden shows a decrease in campus emissions by almost a third since 2008.

Pitt is BikePGH’s 2021 Organization of the Year
From bike caves to free rides, the Pittsburgh campus is building a bike-friendly culture, no matter the weather.

Pitt-Bradford receives funding for green building project
A $230,000 grant will support a rooftop solar array and educational dashboard at the new Engineering and Information Technologies Building, which is expected to receive a gold level of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Student-led Relearn Our Land initiative encourages advocacy and equity
A sustainability course inspired three students to create a garden and educational campaign that will honor Aborigine American, Indigenous and Native cultural groups.

The Heinz Endowments gives $800,000 to Pitt’s Center for Sustainable Business
The two-year grant will be used to help companies large and small to improve overall business practices, environmental quality and economic equality.

The University’s Pittsburgh campus earned a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University award
The recognition demonstrates Pitt’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. Learn more about biking on campus, and try out POGOH (formerly Healthy Ride), Pittsburgh’s bike sharing system, for free.

New green investment is key to transforming the region’s economy, research shows
A nonpartisan team led by Leslie Marshall in Pitt’s Center for Sustainable Business has created a roadmap for climate-friendly industrial growth over the next decade to add jobs and economic prospects across the Ohio Valley.

Pitt extends its partnership with Enterprise to support sustainability goals
The partnership will help Pitt reduce costs and upgrade its fleet with alternative energy vehicles, which will further support the University’s commitment to making the campus carbon neutral by 2037.

Solar power deal accelerates Pitt’s sustainability progress
A new solar power deal is moving Pitt closer to its commitment to be a carbon neutral campus by 2037.

Pittsburgh campus certified as a Bee Campus USA
For Pollinator Week 2020, bees, butterflies, bugs and bats were pollinating on Pennsylvania’s newest Bee Campus USA. And did you know that the value of insect pollinators to the U.S. economy is a whopping $34 billion? A study from Pitt engineers explains.

Student project places second in EPA’s Campus RainWorks Challenge
The competition asked students to apply green infrastructure design principles to college campuses across the nation.

Next generation
Pitt Med students created Polycarbin, a recycling system for medical plastic, and won first place at the 2020 Randall Family Big Idea Competition for their salvaging company.