SoGES GCRT and Resident Fellow awards provide unique opportunities to foster new, creative approaches and accelerate progress in research to meet global sustainability challenges. Both RFPs are open to all CSU faculty and researchers, and the deadline is January 31, 2022. View the GCRT RFP. View the Resident Fellow RFP.

The Africa Center Coffee Social is an opportunity to meet faculty, staff, students, and community members who work in Africa or have an interest in Africa. Share ideas, stories, and research while enjoying African coffee, juice, tea, and breakfast snacks. 108 Johnson Hall, 11am-12:30pm.

A recent paper in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, co-authored by Chris Funk, examines genetic variation as a crucial factor for wild population’s short- and long-term viability. While there are outliers, the authors argue that the safest and best conservation strategy is to protect and promote a rich genetic diversity within and among populations. LEARN MORE. Funk is a Professor in the Department of Biology and Director of the CSU Global Biodiversity Center, which is housed at SoGES.

Protecting and restoring peatlands can reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by 800 million metric tonnes per year — according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme and the Global Peatlands Initiative. Edward Barbier and Joanne Burgess of the CSU economics department authored the report, "Economics of Peatlands Conservation, Restoration and Sustainable Management – A Policy Report," which was formally launched at an event during the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. LEARN MORE. Burgess and Barbier are Affiliate Faculty with SoGES, and Barbier is a SoGES Senior Scholar.

Russ Schumacher and his research group developed a machine-learning model for predicting heavy rainfall that is used daily by the Weather Prediction Center, part of the National Weather Service. With a warmer climate expected to bring more heavy rain because warmer air can hold more water vapor, the tool will be useful in predicting the extreme flooding that will follow. LEARN MORE. Schumacher is an Associate Professor in the Department of Atmospheric Science and was co-PI on a SoGES 2015-16 research team that explored adaptation to alternating weather extremes.

The newly formed Center for Ethics and Human Rights was founded by Lumina Albert, who said the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals inspired the Center and guided its mission. LEARN MORE. Albert, second from right in the photo, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Management and co-PI on a current SoGES research team working to measure and assess 'green' solutions to the fashion industry's carbon footprint.

Warehouses have become a key middle link in the country's supply chain, and they are being overwhelmed by America's current shopping spree. This NPR story features Zac Rogers, Assistant Professor in the Department of Management, whose data show available warehouse space declining every month since last spring. LEARN MORE. Rogers is a co-PI on a current SoGES research team: Measuring Carbon Footprint of Alternative Business Models in the Fashion Industry.

Impact MBA students Emily Bergman, Tess Lapray and Blerinda Veliu teamed up with Julia Choolwe Munsaka, a Ph.D student in the Political Science Department, to design air-tight food bag kits that contain crop seeds and evacuation materials. They are winners in the Hanken School of Economics HUMLOG Challenge, which is designed to offer solutions to countries grappling with natural disasters and the supply chain issues that ensue. LEARN MORE. Munsaka is a staff member with the CSU Africa Center, which is housed at SoGES.

CSU researchers, in collaboration with Woodwell Climate Research Center, are developing a rangeland carbon tracking tool for land managers to help them understand and monitor the delicate carbon balances across their grazed landscapes. Megan Machmuller and M. Francesca Cotrufo of the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences are leading the team. Both are members of the CSU Soil Carbon Solutions Center, a multidisciplinary central facilitator of climate-focused soil science across the University. LEARN MORE. Cotrufo is an Affiliate Faculty member with SoGES.

CSU was again named the top overall performer among doctoral institutions in the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s 2021 Sustainable Campus Index. It is CSU’s second consecutive year earning the highest ranking and fourth time in seven years. CSU also placed in the top six in five individual categories: campus engagement; curriculum; public engagement; research; and well-being and work. LEARN MORE.

The Impact MBA program at CSU was ranked as the No. 5 Better World MBA in the U.S. by Corporate Knights, and No. 20 worldwide. The ranking evaluates programs on integration of sustainability across core courses, the amount of sustainability-related research published by faculty as well as faculty gender and racial diversity. LEARN MORE.

Guest Post by Ellie Ellis, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences and Trainee in the CSU InTERFEWS Program.

Guest Post by Curtis Kline, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Trainee in the CSU InTERFEWS Program.

Guest Post by Julie Liebenguth, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Political Science and Trainee in the CSU InTERFEWS Program.

Guest Post by Annika Weber, Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and Trainee in the CSU InTERFEWS Program

Global Environmental Sustainability Minor (GES)

Our flagship minor, the GES program provides a deep understanding of the complexity surrounding the problems we face and the solutions that we need to implement to address climate change, biodiversity, pollution, public health, oceans, food security, and development on a global scale. LEARN MORE.

Jointly offered by the Colorado Water Center and SoGES, this minor focuses on water issues from social, political, economic, and ecological perspectives. Students gain knowledge of the complexities of water use and management. LEARN MORE.

This minor focuses on social, philosophical, and education aspects of peace and reconciliation and how these can address issues of sustainability. LEARN MORE.

Jointly offered by the CSU Energy Institute and SoGES, this minor focuses on the many dimensions of sustainable energy and breaking down traditional barriers that separate the science and engineering of energy from the social, economic, and political aspects of energy. LEARN MORE.

Online minor enrollment is available. Visit the SoGES education and training webpage to learn more, download the minor course check sheets, and set up an advising appointment.

SoGES addresses complex and global challenges by propelling sustainability research, educating future sustainability leaders, and connecting with the community. CLICK HERE to learn more about our School, our mission, and ways you can support our work.

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PLUGGED IN: CSU's Sustainability Newsletter is distributed on the first Tuesday of each month. CLICK HERE to join our mailing list. Questions about this newsletter? Email micha.bennett@colostate.edu.