Sustainability

Commitment to Care For Our Common Home

Sustainability is a way of life at University of San Diego (USD). Student-led initiatives provide sustainable solutions to current issues. Faculty incorporate sustainability in curriculum. Collaborative research projects and grants between faculty and students pay immediate dividends for the USD community and beyond, including a $5 million grant by the National Science Foundation to educate community leaders about the impacts of climate change.

In 2016, USD adopted a Climate Action Plan with aggressive targets aimed at reducing the university's environmental impact. USD has already reduced its energy consumption by more than 20% since 2010 and water consumption by 38% since 2006. Additionally, 5,000+ photovoltaic panels generate 7% of the university’s energy needs, making the system one of the largest solar energy producers among private colleges nationwide.

mapmarker

USD Sustainability Map
Begin quote The University of San Diego prepares students to be enlightened, engaged and ecological citizens. – James T. Harris III, President, University of San Diego

The first of its kind on a college campus, the University of San Diego Electronics Recycling Center was a living example of USD’s commitment to social entrepreneurship. The Center diverted 4+ million pounds of electronic waste from landfills and served 25,000+ customers during its 7 year operation. The university's fair trade and bike-friendly designations also help to bolster its sustainable campus reputation.

From messaging on campus, to policies affecting how we do business, to facilitating engagement from our staff, students, faculty and administrators, to creating and supporting curricular efforts at all levels, we must take immediate action in concrete ways at all levels of the university to create a truly shared and lived vision of Care for Our Common Home.

Recent Spotlights

View All Spotlights

In the News

View All News

@usdsustain on Instagram

Happy Social Impact Week Toreros! Do you care deeply about the planet and the people who live here? ððð«ð¬ð­Today, you can attend the Torero Talk: Alumni Making an Impact. Tomorrow, check out the Impact Career Fair! #USDSustain
The average American family uses more than 300 gallons ð§ð§ð§ of #water per day at home. Roughly 70 percent of this use occurs indoors. ð ð ð¦ð¦ Here's what you can do to cut down on your own water usageð§ð§ #USDSustain
Did you know? Households are the largest contributors to food waste. According to @refedaccelerator , households are responsible for 43% of all wasted food. #SavetheFoodSD
More plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050? ðâ»ï¸ð»ð Now that's spooky. Have a green and happy #halloween from the Office of Sustainability!
Did you know the average American produces about 75 pounds of textile waste per yearð¥¼ð§¥ðððð? Make a pledge to quit 'fast fashion' habits and think: what can YOU do to reduce your textile waste?ð§â»ï¸
According to the US Department of Energy, 'Vampire Energy' is responsible for approximately 5% of the #energy consumed in the United States, costing consumers over $3 billion each year. #VampireEnergy is energy used by appliances or electronics, such as televisions, computers, or chargers, as they continue to draw a small amount of power, even when they are switched off or not in use. More info at the link in bio! #USDSustain
Climate change disproportionately affects low-income communities and communities of color. As extreme weather events continue to exacerbate the existing housing crisis, it's marginalized groups who will bear the brunt of the burden. Learn more about this, and where to donate items this week, on our website (link in bio). [via @fastcompany ]
Did you know? USD is home to one of the largest rooftop solar installations on a college campus in the nation, with a 1.23 megawatt system atop 11 buildings across campus. Since the installation in 2010, this system has saved USD over $350,000 and 4500 metric tons of CO2e emissions.
On October 17th President Harris sat down with three undergrad students and one grad student to sign @snleadonclimate's Leadership Commitment. This commitment will help @uofsandiego in our effort to Care for our Common Home. #USDSustain
1 in 7 adults, and 1 in 5 children face food insecurity in San Diego County. With #climatechange disproportionately affecting the homeless, it's important to help combat this startling statistic. Please #donate non perishables and other items to one of the bins around campus. You can find bins at Mata'yuum Crossroads, Copley Library, outside Tu Mercado, West Parking Lot tram stop, and at the KIPJ kiosk! #USDsustain