Sustainability Connect 2024

As MIT advances toward its campus decarbonization goals, Sustainability Connect provides a community-wide forum for updates and an inside look at this transformative and comprehensive work.

Photos from the event.

Agenda

8:30-9 | Check in and coffee and breakfast pastries served

9-9:15 | Opening Remarks and Connection
Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability
Nina Lytton, Interfaith Chaplain and Spiritual Advisor to the Indigenous Community at MIT

9:15-9:30 | Climate at MIT
Richard Lester, Vice Provost and Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering

9:35-10:30 | Decarbonizing the Campus
Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability
Joe Higgins, Vice President for Campus Services and Stewardship
Vasso Mathes, Senior Campus Planner
Steve Lanou, Senior Sustainability Project Manager and 
Chenhan Shao, PhD student

10:30-10:40 | Coffee Break

10:40-11:45 | Sustainability in Motion
An interactive session featuring MIT community members reflecting on their work in multiple areas including sustainable food systems, climate justice instruction, procurement, safe and sustainable labs, and power purchase agreements.

11:45-12 | Collaborative Climate Action Program Recognition

12:00-1:00 | Lunch

1:00 - 2:15 | Climate in the Media Panel
Deborah Blum, Director, Knight Science Journalism Program, MIT
Laur Hesse Fisher, Program Director, ESI
Barbara Moran, Climate and Environment reporter at WBUR
Annie Ropeik,  Independent Climate Journalist, Camden Maine

2:15-2:30 Closing
 

Thank you for joining us for Sustainability Connect 2023: A Forum on the Future of Sustainability at MIT. 

Sustainability Connect brings together the community working to create a more sustainable MIT.

Sustainability Awards

The Sustainability Awards provide recognition to individuals working in support of the sustainable transformation of MIT with a focus on connection, impact, and kindness. 

Award Categories

• Sustainability Impact Award 

Making an impact and leading on sustainable change at MIT

Awardee: Marty O’Brien

Awardee: Safe and Sustainable Labs Service Team

 

• Campus as a Test Bed 

Utilizing the campus to test sustainability solutions for MIT and beyond 

Awardee: Katerina Boukin

Awardee: Systems Performance and Turnover, Department of Chemistry, and Environment, Health and Safety Team

 

• Student Sustainability Leader

A student who demonstrates exceptional leadership and collaboration within the sustainability community

Awardee: Shiv Bhakta

 

• Climate Hero

An individual who has supported transformative change with regards to sustainability within their team

Awardee: Randa Ghattas

 

• Circular Economy

Someone shifting operations and/or mindsets from a “use-and-dispose” to “rethink- and-reuse”

Awardee: Jarrod Jones

Awardee: EHS Safety Technician Team

 

Agenda

8:30-9 Check in and coffee and breakfast pastries served

9-9:30 Opening Remarks and Marking a Decade of Sustainability at MIT
Julie Newman, Director of Sustainability

9:35-10:15 A Model for Change: Field Reports from Campus as a Test Bed
Moderator | Brian Goldberg, Assistant Director, Office of Sustainability
Panelist | Miho Mazareeuw, MITOS Faculty Fellow, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, Director of the Urban Risk Lab 
Panelist |Ken Strzepek, MITOS Faculty Fellow and Research Scientist at the MIT Center for Global Change Science
Panelist | Ippolyti Dellatolas Graduate Student, MITOS Climate Action Sustainability Researcher

10:15-10:30 Coffee Break

10:35-11:15 Sustainability in Motion
An interactive session featuring MIT community members reflecting on their work in sustainable building education, climate resilient landscaping, EV fleet transition, Waste Watchers, Choose to Reuse, and power purchase agreements.

11:15-11:55 On the Horizon: Decarbonizing the Campus, Experiential Learning, and Justice
Panelist | Kate Trimble, Senior Associate Dean for Experiential Learning
Panelist | Susy Jones, Senior Sustainability Project Manager
Panelist | John Fernandez, Director, Environmental Solutions Initiative, Professor School of Architecture and Planning
Panelist | Joe Higgins, Vice President for Campus Services and Stewardship

noon-12:15 Sustainability Awards

12:15-1:15 Lunch

1:10-2:15 Workshop: The Future of Sustainability at MIT
Attendees are invited to collaborate with others and share their vision for more sustainable MIT through this interactive workshop. 

2:15 Closing

Join us on Monday, November 8 at 1 p.m. to engage around MIT's strategies to reach the ambitious campus goals outlined in the new climate action plan.

Sustainability Connect provides an opportunity for newcomers and experts alike to find their place in the campus sustainability landscape at MIT, to connect with new partners, and help advance a more sustainable and just campus.

At Sustainability Connect 2021, the MIT Office of Sustainability will bring together staff, students, faculty, and researchers to learn more and contribute to MIT's campus climate commitments and goals as outlined in Fast Forward: MIT's Climate Plan for the Decade.

Join the online event to engage around MIT's strategies to reach these ambitious campus goals. Hear directly from staff, faculty, and researchers leading the efforts and take action on these strategies through breakout rooms where you're invited to share insight, feedback, and ideas to build a net-zero MIT.

Register to reserve your spot for Sustainability Connect 2021