Sustainability & Green Initiatives
2019 Climate Emergency Teach-In
On September 23 and 24, 2019, Kenyon students, faculty and community members engaged in various community-based discussions, performances and talks focused on concern for the state of the global environment. Faculty and students coordinated on how to integrate their class material, some unrelated to the environment, with environmental concerns and awareness.
Renewable Revolution
Economics and Environmental Studies Professor Rob Alexander considers the effects of a shift to renewable energy infrastructure.
Partitioning Waste
The Office of Green Initiatives has removed most regular unmarked trash bins from buildings around campus to add more partitioned bins in an effort to get students to properly dispose of their trash. The sectioned bins are divided into landfill, containers — glass or plastic — and paper. Image credit: Ben Nutter '21
Sweet Sustainability
The Kenyon Farm is abuzz with student-kept bees, which produce local honey for sale on Middle Path.
On Our Way
In a ceremony on Feb. 16, 2016, President Sean Decatur signed the carbon component of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, pledging Kenyon to a future goal of carbon neutrality. Decatur described the official signing as “an exciting moment,” as much for the importance of counteracting climate change as for the collaborative process involving student engagement that brought Kenyon to this point.
Connecting to Community
Kenyon has launched a Rural Resilience Initiative, which aims to examine Knox County — an area that has worked to preserve its rural character — as a resilient community and provide a deeper understanding of Kenyon’s surroundings.
Climate Creativity
Despite knowing little about climate science, English major Daniel Olivieri ’19 responded to the David Carr Prize essay prompt: “In 2050, warmer global temperatures will lead to…” After interviewing Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies Robert Alexander to gain background knowledge, Olivieri imagined a future where science and religion would work together to catalyze efforts to mitigate climate change. Olivieri was a runner-up for the prize.
Sale of the Year
A familiar marker of fall in Gambier, the Harcourt Parish Rummage Sale provides Kenyon students and Gambier residents with everything from hot dog costumes to fuzzy green carpets and coats that can handle Ohio winters. Now, for the first time in its almost 80-year history, the overwhelming size of the sale has motivated the parish to turn operation of its popular event over to the College.
Steaming Ahead
In the College’s ongoing quest to become a leader in sustainable energy, the Office of Green Initiatives will install a solar thermal project on the College’s central steam plant. This could reduce natural gas consumption on South Campus by approximately 50 percent.
A Campus Forest
For the fourth consecutive year, Kenyon has been awarded Tree Campus USA recognition for it's commitment to effective campus forest management. Since its first designation, the College has promoted responsible living on campus by providing interactive programs in sustainability and environmental awareness, such as the Earth Day festival that takes place every spring.
How do campus life and sustainability coincide? At Kenyon, "green" means you're connected — to the local farmers who supply the dining hall, to the rural communities where you work and volunteer, to a sustainability ethos embracing everything from coursework to energy conservation on campus.
Working with the Office of Green Initiatives, students are a driving force in sustainability efforts. They play a critical role in projects ranging from recycling to renewable energy. Leadership and volunteer opportunities for interested students abound.
Submit your own green initiative
Kenyon community members can now submit proposals to the Sustainability Steering Committee (SSC) to contribute to Kenyon’s action toward carbon neutrality and sustainability.
How do campus life and sustainability coincide? At Kenyon, "green" means you're connected — to the local farmers who supply the dining hall, to the rural communities where you work and volunteer, to a sustainability ethos that embraces coursework, energy conservation, and everything in between.
Working with the Office of Green Initiatives, students are a driving force in sustainability efforts. They play a critical role in projects ranging from recycling to renewable energy. Learning about environmental issues and sustainability goes beyond the classroom. Leadership and volunteer opportunities for interested students abound.