Abstract
The Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF) was established in 2009 at the University of Washington–Seattle with the original purpose of operating as a green fund to support students’ climate change solutions. From its start as a student-led grassroots campaign, the CSF has evolved from a grant-driven body into a hub for intersectional sustainability. The CSF is informed by the Just Transition framework, which guides its shift from extractive relationships towards those of regeneration in two parts. First, acknowledging that historically marginalized groups who disproportionately face environmental injustice are currently addressing climate change. Second, building resilience within communities to gain the political power needed to enact effective environmental solutions. The first CSF-funded projects reflected a mainstream approach to sustainability, focusing on energy and waste reduction. While these areas are vital to minimizing campus-wide environmental impact, they fail to center environmental justice, social equity, and community resilience. In 2019, the CSF instated a vision to catalyze justice-focused sustainability projects through increased investment in the mini-grant program, creation of a resilience seed grant, and partnerships with equity-focused student groups. These programs have filled a gap in university-wide programming, providing funding for groups that would otherwise lack support. However, solely offering project-based opportunities inherently presents barriers to sustainability engagement and collaboration. In an effort to build community and foster agency in the role that students play in the climate crisis, the CSF is expanding beyond grant-making to create programming that empowers students to contribute to climate change solutions during their time at UW and beyond.
Presenters
Gulsima YoungStudent, B.A. Environmental Studies, B.S. Informatics, University of Washington, United States Kortney Maeda
Outreach Coordinator, UW Sustainability, Campus Sustainability Fund (CSF), Washington, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
Technical, Political, and Social Responses
KEYWORDS
Environmental justice, Equity, Sustainability, Resilience, University, Student engagement, Framework
