Graduation gowns for both bachelor's and master’s degrees are required for MSU ceremonies and are made of 100% recycled materials, specifically post-consumer plastic bottles. Despite this being the university’s standard for nearly a decade, many upcoming graduates are unaware of this sustainable practice.
MSU's Infrastructure Planning and Facilities (IPF) released a public notice on Aug. 12, 2024 stating that they didn't take all of the required water samples in July 2023, and there was a delayed sample in March 2023. Samples for Water Quality Parameter (WQP1) tests were also not tested for all the required analytes from Feb. 14 to March 4, 2023. IPF claims they have been meeting proper regulations since the incidents in 2023, however, students continue to express concern over undesirable water quality.
The Shorter Shower Initiative is a research program by Michigan State University’s Social Science Scholars for water conservation in the university's dorms. Beginning in 2022, this research project has been working toward reducing the amount of heated water used on campus, as it directly contributes to carbon emissions.
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump’s administration announced that the U.S. would withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement. The U.S.'s withdrawal from the agreement has sparked concern about climate change across the country. MSU professors and students discuss their concerns for Michigan.
The raging California wildfires have sparked conversation about Artificial Intelligence's role in harming the environment. With the exponential growth of AI and increasing usage in college-level students, MSU experts and students discuss the need for better understanding of AI and its impacts.
MSU’s Infrastructure Planning and Facilities is seeking a grant from the DNR to remove the weir, a low-rise barrier built across the Red Cedar River to control the flow of water. The weir no longer serves a purpose, and is increasing flood risks.
Michigan State University hosted a fall forum called Conversations on Circularity on Nov. 14 for recycling and legislative leaders to discuss the state's progress. Government and Environmental agencies in Michigan are focusing on circularity in an attempt to reduce waste in the state.
The ADREC, MSU Culinary Services and the MSU Dairy Cattle Teaching and Research Center have teamed up to convert waste into energy to power campus. They are working to eliminate waste on campus and help the environment.
MSU School of Packaging has partnered with Bioelements Group, a Chilean-based company that prioritizes the environment when creating packaging materials, to create more sustainable, biodegradable packaging.
The banks of the Red Cedar River are eroding, which could cause various issues for MSU in the future. In an attempt to take more aggressive measures to stop the issue, IPF sought a permit from EGLE for a river restoration project, but was denied. Experts discuss what this means for the banks of the Red Cedar in the long run.
Cities in Michigan have come to be known as 'climate havens,' places where people will be safe from extreme weather events. This may be true for now, but climate change will bring the state its own set of issues, such as flooding, gentrification and more.
The Michigan Climate Action Network hosted their annual Michigan Climate Summit in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Sept. 26. The summit featured big names like Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and panels that focused on civic engagement and the upcoming election.
The Environmental Studies and Sustainability United student group hosted a grand opening event for their pollinator garden project on Sept. 26. The garden has been in the works for about a year and now holds over 300 native plants to encourage pollination and add some beauty to campus.
The Michigan Waterways Stewards hosted a cleanup of the Red Cedar River Trail on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing. Community members volunteered to help with the clean up, promoting conservation efforts and a dedication to ensuring a healthy environment.
Fast fashion brands, such as Shein and Temu, have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years, thanks to social media. MSU students and professors explore why fast fashion is harmful to the environment, why it appeals to college students and some of the more sustainable practices to utilize instead.
The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden has committed itself to removing invasive species from the garden and around MSU's campus. In light of the Red Cedar River's tendency to flood and spread these invasive species, the Beal Garden has adopted a new invasive species policy to help them be better stewards of the environment.
MSU is home to extensive pollinator research.
As a part of its spring-long process of stocking rivers and lakes, employees from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources released 3,300 steelhead trout into the Red Cedar River. After molting in the river for a short period of time, the trout will swim downstream toward Lake Michigan to join the local ecosystem.
On April 8, a rare astronomical phenomenon will take place over North America: a total solar eclipse. While solar eclipses are relatively common, occurring a few times a year, the ability to experience totality in the Midwest is rare; the next total eclipse will not occur until 2045. Here's what to know about the astronomical event and how you can participate.
A winter storm warning has been put in place by the National Weather Service and will remain in effect until 7 p.m. on Saturday. According to an NWS Urgent Winter Weather Message, a winter storm is heading toward west Michigan and is forecasted to start snowing shortly after 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. This storm is forecasted to bring anywhere from 8 in. to 13in of snowfall and wind gusting up to 50 mph. Windchill is expected to bring temperatures into the single digits.