Three SoGES 2020-21 Sustainability Leadership Fellows, Laura van der Pol, Clara Tibbetts, and Danielle Lin Hunter, authored the policy memo "Removing Barriers and Creating Opportunities for Climate-Resilient Agriculture by Optimizing Federal Crop Insurance," which was published in the Journal of Science Policy & Governance. Their article was selected as one of three outstanding publications in the issue and the authors have been invited to present their work to the British Embassy as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties. LEARN MORE. Laura van der Pol is a graduate student in the Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, and Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory. Clara Tibbetts is a graduate student in the Department of Chemistry. Danielle Lin Hunter is a graduate student in the Department of Biology and the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology.

Re-use Efficiency Packaging with Analytics for Customized Knowledge (REPACK), a 2020-22 Global Challenges Research Team, is seeking participants for their survey about motivating factors in packaging reuse. The survey is open to all and takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. TAKE THE SURVEY. The REPACK principal investigators are: Steven Simske, Department of Systems Engineering;

John Macdonald, Department of Management; and Elizabeth Parks, Department of Communications Studies and Dialogue and Diversity Specialist with the Center for Public Deliberation.

The Earth Archive, an emerging conservation initiative founded by CSU Professor Chris Fisher to create an online three-dimensional model of the entire surface of the earth using high resolution LiDAR, starting with the Amazon region, held an international conference to connect stakeholders and discuss needed information to advance sustainable development in the region. Recordings of the sessions are available. WATCH HERE. Chris Fisher is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology and Geography and a SoGES 2009-10 Resident Fellow.

Monica Farfan authored the blog post "Biodiversity of a Lab: A Community Ecology Perspective on Contributing to a Healthy Ecosystem" for Entomology Today. Through personal anecdotes and ecosystems as a metaphor, she writes about how to foster a healthy research lab environment including listening, asking for help, and mitigating conflict. READ MORE. Monica Farfan is the Executive Director of the Global Soil Biodiversity Initiative, housed at SoGES.

A new paper, co-authored by SoGES Director Diana Wall, was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences and noted in National Geographic and Science. It explores the boundaries of microbial habitats in soil of one of the most extreme places on Earth. Results suggest that soils from high elevations and rocky ridges at the center of Antarctica seem to contain no microbes at all. READ MORE.

Gillian Bowser was featured in a SOURCE story about her contribution to the paper, "Inclusion in citizen science: The conundrum of rebranding," which was published in Science. Bowser discusses the importance of making participation in citizen science more available and inclusive to all members of society. READ MORE. Gillian Bowser is an Associate Professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability and a former principal investigator for a SoGES Global Challenges Research Team.

The Salazar Center for North American Conservation announced 15 finalists for its Thriving Cities Challenge, an incentive prize which aims to advance climate resilience and racial equity through nature-based solutions in communities. The finalists will receive a $10,000 capacity-building grant this summer, along with training and mentorship opportunities to help strengthen and further develop their proposed projects. LEARN MORE.

Megan Pierson, Undergraduate Student in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Sustainability

Michael Cheeseman, 2020-2021 SoGES Sustainability Leadership Fellow and Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Atmospheric Science

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.

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.