Once Upon A Time it was the end of the year...
Well it is the end of the year and I guess this the ideal time to talk about the year that was, and what a year it was. Allow me to guide you through what happened this year in sustainability.
"2010 is going to be the year of SUSTAINABILITY" were the words of Pierre De Gagné, the Assistant Director of Engineering and Sustainable Development, and this pretty much set the tone for the entire year.
The year kicked off with RecycleMania, which saw the University of Ottawa defend its title as Canadian Champs and place 14th overall.
In February the SFUO's referendums produced 2 environmental outcomes, the Green Fund and the U-pass program. Both of which will have a dramatic impact on the campus.
Earth Hour in March again saw the University achieving a 12% reduction in energy consumption (double that of the City of Ottawa).
In March & April the University participated in Bottled Water Free Day.
May was the most successful Dump and Run we have ever conducted. Over 2 tonnes of materials were saved and redistributed.
In June the office celebrated Environment Week, including Bike to Work Day.
The second Community Garden officially launched in July and over 40 plots were up for grabs.
Most of August was just spent getting ready for the madness of September. In September there was the official launched of the SFUO's Bike Coop, amongst many, many, many other things. Oh yeah... did I mention the campus became bottled water free?
More recommendations and work was put into the Vision 2020 round table on how to Green the Campus (renamed environmental sustainability). The SFUO's Sustainability Center also held its first Open House.
By the time we get to November and December there are just too many cool things going on, including the Green Campus Green Lecture Series, the Tom's Shoes event, and the University being honoured by Hydro Ottawa for it's energy conservation.
So yeah a big year. Hopefully 2011 will be just as prosperous. But I did want to take a moment to thank all those people out there that made it happen. I can't even begin to name you all but I can say that you should have that smug feeling that comes with knowing that you helped make a difference.
THANK YOU ALL!!!
-jon
Post a Comment