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DC tidal basin during cherry blossom bloom; photo by Jeffrey Clayton

Research ·

Earth Day in Action: AU Researchers Tackling Local Environmental Issues

AU researchers are working in local rivers, tree canopies, caves, and labs to understand and mitigate environmental challenges
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An AU community member holds up a trash bag on the quad. Photo by Jeff Watts.

Environment ·

Digging Through Trash is Not a Waste

AU boasts a current waste diversion rate of 41 percent—up from 30 percent in 2023—thanks in part to regular audits conducted by the Zero Waste Office.
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Cassell Hall residents celebrate after winning campus energy saving competition.

Environment ·

Cassell Hall Residents Win Competition to Reduce Electricity Consumption

Residence Hall competition saves total of 8,810 kilowatt-hours of electricity.
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This heatmap shows energy savings at AU over the winter closure. The dark green bands (equating to periods of low energy use), called out by a “black box” outline, show building energy reductions.

Environment ·

Winter Energy Curtailment Efforts Result in Significant Cost Savings

Data shows reduction in energy costs and carbon emissions during annual campus shutdown.
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Getty Image.

Environment ·

Waste Not, Want Not

At an E-Waste Drive held last week, the American University community did its part in responsibly discarding electronic waste—collecting 433 pounds of unwanted tech items that might otherwise have landed in the landfill.
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A professor teaches a class on the quad

Achievements ·

Five CAS Faculty Members Named Top 2% Scientists Worldwide in 2024

Stanford-Elsevier Ranking Recognizes Research Impact
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AU Men's 11th Annual Sustainability Awareness Game

Environment ·

Annual Zero Waste Competition Tips Off with Sustainability-themed Men’s Basketball Game, Feb. 10

Part of the Campus Race to Zero Waste competition to reduce waste produced on campus
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Sustainability tracking, assessment, and rating system

Environment ·

American University Earns Its Seventh STARS Gold Rating

Association for Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education rates AU’s sustainability efforts.
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WWF CEO Carter Roberts and Kogod dean David Marchick

Environment ·

WWF Protects Not Just Furry Animals, but Nature Itself

Kogod hosted CEO Carter Roberts on November 12 as part of its Gamechangers in Sustainability Speaker Series
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AU staff and students with trash sorting for compost, recycling, and trash.

Environment ·

AU Ranks Second in The Princeton Review’s Top 50 Green Colleges List

Highest ranking yet in annual list
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