CofC’s 10th Annual Sustainability Week to Focus on Sustainable Cities, Communities

It’s the College of Charleston’s 10th annual Sustainability Week (April 18–22), and the Center for Sustainable Development (CSD) and their campus partners have all kinds of fun and educational events planned!

“There are a ton of opportunities for our students, faculty and staff to get involved and have some fun this week – and hopefully learn something new while they’re at it,” says CSD Associate Director of Student Engagement Jen Jones, adding that this year’s events center around the CofC Solves goal of “Sustainable Cities and Communities,” which aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. “We’re really excited about this year’s approach. You’ll see some different kinds of events this year – like the tour of social justice sites and the panel discussion with local entrepreneurs whose work revolves around social justice, food resiliency and community healing.”

A full list of events is available on the Sustainability Week 2022 website, but here are a few highlights:

Sustainable Cities Vision Walks: Going on all week long, these self-guided walks start on the second floor of Addlestone Library, where there is a QR code to access the full tour and get to the next stop. Six sites will be installed for you to learn more and see sustainability in action.

Sustainability Bingo: On Monday, 10 a.m.–1 p.m., and Tuesday, 12:30–3:30 p.m., Sustainability Bingo will kick things off at the College Way clocktower! The digital bingo card is available here, and players may submit their cards via email via email at sustainability@cofc.edu, via Instagram direct messages (@sustainCofC) or in person at the CSD (207 Calhoun St.). The first five players to submit a valid card will get a prize package that includes a Sustainability Week T-shirt and zero-waste goodies, and the first 50 will get a reusable metal straw!

Charleston Social Justice Sites Tours: On Tuesday, April 19, starting at 4 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. at the CSD, these engaging tours feature cultural heritage sites on campus and the surrounding area that tell the complex history of the people and places that make up our community.

Sustainable Cities Expo: From 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 20, in the Cistern Yard, the Expo will feature a farmer’s market, CARTA ride-alongs, a Cougar Free Store pop-up and the Sustainability Field Day, with fun activities and tournament-style games. See a full list of games and register for tournaments through this form. Links to register for the ride-alongs are available on the Sustainability Week website.

An Earth Day Dialogue: Sustainability and Flourishing in the 21st Century: On April 21, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., a panel discussion will be held in the School of Sciences and Mathematics Building auditorium and on Zoom. Four sustainability practitioners and entrepreneurs who are leading voices in climate justice work locally and internationally will discuss their experiences starting sustainable businesses, organizing and strategizing for community empowerment, navigating structural racism and colonialism and how to stay inspired in the struggles for building a socially, economically and environmentally flourishing world. Panelists include Clayton Thomas-Muller, Germaine Jenkins, Kennae Miller and Chef BJ Dennis. Topics will include climate change, food apartheid/deserts, transformational healing and body positivity, Gullah Geechee culture and building cultures of mutual aid. The event embodies the College’s mission and values and speaks to key sustainability themes that are imbedded throughout much of CofC’s curriculum. Register for the Zoom link here.

MESSA Adopt-a-Highway Litter Cleanup: On Friday, April 22, the Master of Science in Environmental and Sustainability Studies Student Association (MESSA) program will host a litter cleanup. Meet at Ye Ole Fashioned Ice Cream in West Ashley (474 Savannah Hwy.) at 10 a.m. and wear closed-toed shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty!