What is Resilience?
Resilience is the ability not only to bounce back, but also to ‘bounce forward’ – to recover and at the same time to enhance the capacities of the community or organization to better withstand future threats.
– Resilience Strategies for Communities at Risk. Urban Resilience Program. White Paper Series. Washington, D.C.: Urban Land Institute, 2014.
Climate Resilience at SU
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Seattle University is a signatory to the City of Seattle’s Climate Partnership and the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment and is committed to working toward climate neutrality. It is SU’s belief that the belief that higher education must educate students and conduct research to develop the social, economic and technological solutions to reverse global warming and lead by example to reduce our campus’s operational emissions. In 2011, SU adopted its Climate Action Plan with the following main goals:
~Educate undergrad and grad students about sustainability and climate change in the classroom and in co-curricular programs
~Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 12% by 2020 and 51% by 2035 from our buildings, solid waste, university-owned vehicles, business and athletics air travel, and commuters to campus
~Share our increasing knowledge and expertise on sustainability more widely through partnerships and community engagement
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SU has reduced its Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 25% since 2009! See the
data here.
- Climate Action: We Are Still In
Seattle University is one of more than 300 colleges and universities from across the United States to sign the "We Are Still In" declaration, demonstrating its enduring commitment for climate action and reducing carbon emissions. Learn more.
- Socially Responsible Investment (SRI)
The Socially Responsible Investment Working Group was convened in 2017 to serve as the liaison between the campus community and Seattle University's Investment Committee. The Working Group will provide information and recommendations to the Investment Committee on socially responsible investment issues that can be taken into account when making decisions on investments, policies and practices for Seattle University. Learn more.
- Climate Change Research and Teaching
- Jonathan Pierce, PhD (College of Arts and Sciences): Dr. Pierce is conducting research focused on "Environmental Sustainability, Public Opinion, Social Construction and Advocacy." Learn more.
- Michael Mayer, J.D. (Law School): Michael Mayer has over a decade of experience as an environmental law practitioner, primarily with the public interest law firm Earthjustice. His courses taught at SU are based on Climate Change. Learn more.
- Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice is the empowerment of people to advocate for the health of natural and built environments and for the equitable distribution of environmental benefits and burdens throughout all communities. Learn how SU strives to engage its community to make conscious, responsible and ethical decisions, and to promote environmental justice here.
January Events at SU
2018 Climate Resilience Summit
After experiencing ash raining down on our City, have you wondered how we are combating climate change? Hear from community and business leaders and government agencies on how they’re building climate resilience and how we can best support communities on the front lines of climate disruption.
Register TODAY for the 2018 Climate Resilience Summit, organized by Sustainable Seattle, on January 6, 2018, at Seattle University!
CEJS is a proud sponsor of the event. SU faculty, staff, and students: REGISTER HERE by using your SU email and the following codes for a discounted conference fee:
- SU Faculty/Staff Early Bird (until 12/01) at $35 (register under "Academia"): ERLYSUFS
- SU Faculty/Staff Regular at $40 (register under "Academia"): RGLSUFS
- SU Student Early Bird (until 12/01) at $20 (register under "Student"): ERLYSUSTUD
- SU Student Regular at $25 (register under "Student"): RGLSUSTUD
- OR volunteer at the event and receive free admission! To sign up for volunteering, email nancy@sustainableseattle.org.
Learn more about the summit here. Any questions? Contact Nancy Huizar at nancy@sustainableseattle.org.
In the Community
350 Seattle works toward climate justice by organizing people to make deep system change: resisting fossil fuels; building momentum for healthy alternatives; and fostering resilient, just, and welcoming communities. Learn more.
Resilient Seattle
"How can Seattle continue to thrive amidst ongoing urban challenges, prepare for sudden shocks and catastrophic events, and create opportunities for all residents to enjoy a prosperous, healthy, and high quality of life?" As a step towards answering this question, the City of Seattle has been selected to be a part of the 100 Resilient Cities Initiative, pioneered by the Rockefeller Foundation. Members of the team include Chief Resilience Officer Jessica Finn Coven who was hired in March 2017 to lead the citywide resilience-building process and Resilience Director Edie Gilliss.
Got Green organizes for environmental, racial, and economic justice as a South Seattle-based grassroots organization led by people of color and low income people. Get involved here..
Sustainable Seattle works to build a thriving future through initiatives that deliver environmental, economic and community benefits, promote equity, and build resilience. Learn more here.
King County is committed to reducing GHG emissions by 25% by 2020, 50% by 2030, and 80% by 2050, which is a shared regional goal adopted by the Growth Management Planning Council. Learn what else they are doing here.
