Presentation Type
Presentation
Faculty Mentor’s Full Name
Peter McDonough
Faculty Mentor’s Department
Climate Change Studies
Abstract / Artist's Statement
Climate change is a global crisis that calls for local action. When it comes to reducing our impact on the Earth and its climate, Zero Waste has become a strong mitigation strategy because solid waste generates greenhouse gas emissions, increases the city’s carbon footprint, and impacts the quality of living. Zero Waste looks to reduce the amount of waste coming in and out of a system, prioritizing upstream solutions and providing avenues so no waste goes to the landfill. In February 2016 the City Council of Missoula adopted the Missoula Zero Waste Resolution to reduce its landfill disposal 90% by 2050. As of right now, the University of Montana has yet to commit to the city’s goal of Zero By Fifty. However, UM’s participation in this ambitious goal is crucial. Our team’s goal is to conduct research and form an educational strategy to aid the UC Food Court in going Zero Waste. Education is a crucial component of Zero Waste, as it requires a knowledge of correct waste disposal and calls for an overall cultural shift on campus. Educating the students at UM is necessary for Zero Waste to be successful and become an integral part of campus culture so it can continue in the future and inspire other sustainable changes on campus and beyond. Our project looks to create an educational campaign around Zero Waste to help UM campus become more resilient in the face of climate change.
Category
Humanities
Zero Waste Education
Climate change is a global crisis that calls for local action. When it comes to reducing our impact on the Earth and its climate, Zero Waste has become a strong mitigation strategy because solid waste generates greenhouse gas emissions, increases the city’s carbon footprint, and impacts the quality of living. Zero Waste looks to reduce the amount of waste coming in and out of a system, prioritizing upstream solutions and providing avenues so no waste goes to the landfill. In February 2016 the City Council of Missoula adopted the Missoula Zero Waste Resolution to reduce its landfill disposal 90% by 2050. As of right now, the University of Montana has yet to commit to the city’s goal of Zero By Fifty. However, UM’s participation in this ambitious goal is crucial. Our team’s goal is to conduct research and form an educational strategy to aid the UC Food Court in going Zero Waste. Education is a crucial component of Zero Waste, as it requires a knowledge of correct waste disposal and calls for an overall cultural shift on campus. Educating the students at UM is necessary for Zero Waste to be successful and become an integral part of campus culture so it can continue in the future and inspire other sustainable changes on campus and beyond. Our project looks to create an educational campaign around Zero Waste to help UM campus become more resilient in the face of climate change.