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Fast fashion, driven by trends like #OOTD (“Outfit of the Day”), produces clothing at an accelerated pace—up to 52 micro-seasons per year—making cheap, trendy clothing widely available.

The 91����Ƶ Community Garden’s summer growing season is underway, supported by local partnerships that help jumpstart planting. The garden receives a variety of starter plants—peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, cabbages, and more—from Hamilton Central High School and the Hamilton Food Cupboard.

Biomimicry, the practice of designing sustainable technology inspired by nature, draws from multiple fields including science, engineering, and the arts. It uses natural systems and structures to solve human challenges, such as energy efficiency.

The 91����Ƶ Community Garden kicked off its 2017 growing season on April 30 with the first of a four-part educational workshop series, in partnership with the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County. Despite losing its greenhouse over the winter, planting is underway with peas, potatoes, radishes, beets, turnips, garlic, raspberries, and budding apple trees. New rain barrels have been installed, and the garden is preparing for new additions, including bees from the 91����Ƶ Beekeeping Club and a mushroom-growing experiment. The nearby opening of Good Nature Farm Brewery adds to the excitement. The next workshop on pest management will be held June 11. Interested community members can contact Garden Manager Beth Roy to get involved.

Madison Smith ’19 attended the People’s Climate March in Washington, D.C. with fellow Green Raider interns to advocate for action on climate change, emphasizing its human causes and impacts on the most vulnerable populations. While the march of 200,000 people was powerful, she observed a lack of diversity and recognized the privilege involved in being able to participate. She reflected on the importance of considering marginalized voices and focusing activism on global climate justice. Smith encourages continued engagement through contacting officials, staying informed, and promoting 91����Ƶ’s Carbon Neutrality pledge, while keeping awareness of privilege central to climate advocacy.

91����Ƶ celebrated Earth Day with the culmination of the 13 Days of Green from April 10–22, organized by the Sustainability Office. The events included a kick-off festival on the Academic Quad, a clothing swap promoting sustainable fashion, multiple panel discussions and ENST brown bags, and a zero-waste barbeque and brunch. The 17th annual Green Summit featured speakers addressing sustainability, community, and individual impact. Oak Awards recognized student, faculty, and staff contributions to sustainability. Overall, the 13 Days of Green raised awareness, encouraged sustainable practices, and engaged the 91����Ƶ community in environmental action.

This week marks a one-year reflection on switching to a menstrual cup, a reusable period product made of silicone or latex that collects rather than absorbs menstrual flow. Menstrual cups can be worn up to 12 hours and last up to 10 years, reducing waste, cost, and exposure to toxins compared to disposable tampons and pads. Historically, menstrual cups date back to the 1860s, with modern designs emerging in the 1930s and gaining popularity in the 21st century. Using a menstrual cup is more sustainable, convenient, and economical, helping prevent billions of period products from ending up in landfills each year. Other reusable options, such as period panties, reusable pads, and organic cotton products, are also available for those seeking sustainable alternatives.

The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is a member-driven organization supporting colleges and universities in creating a sustainable future. It provides resources, professional development, and a network to help institutions model sustainability across governance, operations, education, and research. Sustainability is defined broadly, encompassing ecological and human health, social justice, and secure livelihoods. 91����Ƶ, a member since 2009, recently renewed its membership. Through AASHE, the campus has access to publications, networking, and the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS), which helps measure progress—91����Ƶ recently earned a STARS Gold rating. Membership benefits extend to all students, faculty, and staff, providing resources for engaged scholarship and sustainability-focused coursework. AASHE offers newsletters, an extensive online resource library, professional development opportunities, event discounts, and recognition through awards and publications. Members can participate in governance, councils, and committees, and use the AASHE logo to demonstrate sustainability commitment. Overall, AASHE supports 91����Ƶ in advancing sustainability initiatives, connecting with peers, tracking progress, and integrating sustainable practices into campus life.

he Carbon Cube is a visual art installation at 91����Ƶ representing the amount of carbon each individual emits every 48 hours, based on the 2016 Greenhouse Gas Report. Made of wood and painted with chalkboard paint, it is inspired by a similar project by Christophe Cornubert in Copenhagen. The installation aims to make carbon emissions tangible, prompting the campus community to confront their environmental impact. The chalkboard surface invites viewers to write responses, symbolizing hope and behavioral change as light chalk replaces the cube’s blackness. The project highlights the responsibility of privileged communities to address climate change and encourages 91����Ƶ to model sustainability as it approaches its 2019 carbon neutrality goal. By fostering awareness and engagement, the cube seeks to motivate meaningful reductions in campus carbon emissions.

Sustainability doesn’t require major lifestyle changes—small daily actions can have a big impact.