Earth Day: April events on sustainability, energy & environment

Opportunities for action and dialogue take place across campus this month.| Short Read

Across the university in the weeks leading up to Earth Day on April 22, a host of events will advance sustainable solutions and offer opportunities for public input and reflection.

April 8: Fastest Path to Zero Summit with U-M and Third Way

The Fastest Path to Zero Summit will bring together researchers, policymakers, industry and other stakeholders to discuss how to achieve zero carbon emissions. The summit will also mark the launch of a new interdisciplinary climate initiative focused on clean energy and lead by the Department of Nuclear Engineering and Radiological Sciences and the U-M Energy Institute. The summit will be livestreamed. Follow #fastestpathtozero Learn more.

April 8: Climate Blue Annual Spring Symposium

This year’s symposium, “No COP-Out: The Path Home from the UN Climate Talks,” will feature takeaways from a panel of experts and policymakers on what’s next for climate policy around the world. It will also include perspectives from the Climate Blue University of Michigan student delegates who attended the Katowice, Poland climate negotiations as observers. Learn more

April 9: Carbon Neutrality: Special Public Session with President Schlissel

Join the discussion on how the U-M community can reduce its carbon emissions to environmentally sustainable levels. Informed by panels of advisors, the commission will develop recommendations to achieve this goal in a fiscally responsible manner, in line with its mission of education, research, service and patient care. Learn more

April 10-11: Global CO2 Initiative LCA/TEA workshop

The Global CO2 Initiative at U-M will host a two-day expert workshop furthering the development of its widely used Techno-Economic Assessment and Life Cycle Assessment Toolkit for CO2-based products (TEA/LCA). The Global CO2 Initiative is a $4.5 million effort with the long-term goal of removing carbon dioxide from the air and turning it into useful products.

April 11-12: Environmental Law & Policy Program Spring Conference, Planet in Peril: Averting Climate Change Catastrophe Through Law and Social Change

The conference will focus on how the legal system can promote meaningful action on climate change and broad-based environmental sustainability efforts. Panels and break out sessions will be held throughout the day on topics as wide-ranging as the Paris Accord, U.S. federal climate policy, and how law and business intersect to address climate change. Learn more.

April 13: Run4Earth

The U-M School for Environment and Sustainability will sponsor a free fun run through the Arb. It starts and ends on the Diag. Register

April 15: Clean Wolverines Symposium

The Clean Wolverines are a group of independent, interdisciplinary students and faculty conducting research on the technological and financial feasibility for implementing renewable energy, green design, and sustainable practices on the U-M’s campus. Attend and get involved. Learn more