News

Local, regional, national and international news is shared here as well as university press releases and statements related to sustainability. If you’d like to submit a news item to be considered for placement on this page, please click here.

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Growing our Tree Canopy

Creating Canopy is Penn’s annual tree giveaway, designed to encourage the continual greening of urban areas in Greater Philadelphia.

Cleaner, Greener Move Out

Recognizing the responsibility of Penn to be a good neighbor in our West Philadelphia community, this year a partnership was formed among Penn Sustainability, Penn’s Office of Social Equity and Community, the Office of Government and Community Affairs, and a few student groups to provide off-campus students with means and opportunity to dispose of their unwanted belongings.

Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action Announced

Penn has announced two new University leadership positions, the Vice Provost for the Arts and the Vice Provost for Climate Science, Policy, and Action, to advance the goals of the University’s strategic framework In Principle and Practice.

Move In Green Volunteers Needed – August 2024

Interested in helping to introduce Penn students to our sustainable practices on campus? Undergraduate, second- through fourth-year students are invited to apply.

Folks assisting others with moving into a dormitory

Penn Celebrates Earth Week 2024

From April 20 - 26, the campus community continued an annual tradition of celebrating Earth Week at Penn, with Penn Sustainability again serving as a hub of programming and promotion. Inspired by the Earth Week at Penn 2024 theme of Restore & Regenerate, student clubs, academic departments, staff offices, and school green teams organized over 40 events championing environmental causes and advancing climate action.

Penn Employee Commuters are Choosing Sustainable Transportation, More So Than Most in Region

Penn employees rank high in sustainable commuting, but more could still be done, survey finds.

Picture of rows of bikes resting on bike racks

Green Fund Supports Transition to Electric Equipment at Penn Ice Rink

The Penn Ice Rink has received a Green Fund grant to transition from fuel-powered to electric equipment. The grant enabled the purchase of a battery-powered electric ice edger, replacing the fossil-fuelled one. This move signifies a significant step in reducing the rink's carbon footprint, enhancing indoor air quality, and promoting sustainability.

Conserving Our Urban Wildlife Ecosystems - Tips from a Student Eco-Rep

Each year, a cohort of 10-20 Penn sophomores, juniors, and seniors are selected to participate in the Eco-Reps program. Students work in small teams throughout the year to develop in-depth projects aimed at solving environmental challenges on campus. This year, students of the program Alondra Betancourt, Daniel Boyko, and Paloma Gulick are working with Karen Verderame, Assistant Director of Outreach Education at Penn Vet to develop educational materials about conserving urban wildlife ecosystems and focusing on invasive turtle species in the BioPond.