Creating a Better Future Through Sustainability

Our History

The 75 kWh solar array on the roof of Norton Hall serves as a continued demonstration project and educational opportunity surrounding solar energy.

From researchers studying environmental issues at Love Canal to performing cutting edge research on climate change in the Arctic, UB is leading the way toward a sustainable future, and has been for more than three decades.

Research isn't the only way in which UB is a sustainability leader. It’s also in what we do on campus. UB has saved millions of dollars over the years through:

energy conservation efforts
increasing energy efficiency
promoting a culture of sustainability at the university, whether it’s going trayless in our dining centers or implementing an all -in -one recycling program.

A Timeline of Accomplishments

UB’s environmental efforts formally began in 1971 with the Rachel Carson College, created from a collegiate workshop on ecology and named after the “Silent Spring” author who launched the modern environmental movement.
In 1978, UB professor Adeline Levine and her students studied dozens of families affected by contamination from Love Canal.
The Conserve UB program was established in 1982 with the hiring of UB’s first Energy Officer. Three years later, the Great Lakes Program was created.
In the mid-1990s, UB Environmental Studies students conducted environmental audits of UB campuses, Buffalo City Hall and other Western New York buildings. These audits led to millions of dollars in savings.
The UB Green office was created in 1999 to provide environmental stewardship for campus facilities.
In 2001, UB published “UB High Performance Building Guidelines,” a model for construction statewide.
In November 2006, UB unveiled its first solar electric system. In 2007, former Vice President Al Gore gave two lectures in Alumni Arena, speaking on environmental issues. He was joined throughout the year as part of the Distinguished Speakers series by environmental leaders Jean Michel Cousteau and Nobel Peace prize winner Wangari Maathi.
In March 2007, UB became an initial signatory of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment.
By Fall 2009, UB released its Climate Action Plan, a document born out of two public forums and critical work from the Environmental Stewardship Committee. The Plan draws from UB’s Comprehensive Plan and sets a goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2030.
In September 2011, UB appointed its first Chief Sustainability Officer, elevating our overall commitment to sustainability and focusing efforts on creating a strong culture of sustainability at UB.
Throughout 2012, UB is opening several new buildings, all of which were designed to meet U.S. Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Our Green Impact

Assisting Neighborhoods

10/25/12

UB chemistry professor Joe Gardella and his students assist neighborhoods in determining the effects of local industries on their environment.
UB Falcons

10/25/12

A viewing area near the Falcon nesting box on South Campus is being developed by UB and the Department of Environmental Conservation.
Buffalo Promise

10/25/12

More than $3 million in grants have been awarded to the Buffalo Promise Neighborhood initiative to provide "cradle-to-career" support to Buffalo schoolchildren.
Educational Opportunites

10/25/12

Through UB’s Center for Educational Collaboration 1,000 students in the Buffalo public schools have been offered opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math.
Helping Others

10/25/12

A Senior Environmental Design student from UB won the 13th session of the International Winter University competition for their proposal on how to fix the uncontrolled development of Irkutsk, Russia.
Alternative Winter Break: Louisiana Wetlands

1/16/13

Eighteen UB students volunteered in the Louisiana Bayou during their winter break to work on wetland restoration projects.
Tree Planting

10/25/12

More than 100 volunteers planted 90 trees and native shrubs at the Solar Strand site on Flint Road near the Maple Road entrance to the North Campus.
Sustainable Future

10/25/12

Sustainable Futures, a service learning program in architecture, landscape architecture and planning, is conducted in Monteverde, Costa Rica and hosted by the Monteverde Institute, the University at Buffalo, and other universities.

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Our Green History

10/25/12

UB releases its Climate Action Plan, which draws from the university’s comprehensive plan and sets a goal of achieving climate neutrality by the year 2030.
10/25/12

UB hires its first energy officer and creates the Conserve UB program, which leads to energy conservation efforts that have saved the university more than $100 million.
10/25/12

UB becomes an initial signatory of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, a pledge to reduce the global emission of greenhouse gases.
10/25/12

UB’s environmental efforts begin with the creation of the Rachel Carson College, named for the author of “Silent Spring,” the book that sparked the environmental movement.
10/25/12

The UB Green office is created, providing environmental stewardship for campus facilities. Today, the office’s efforts include offering assistance to groups both on and off campus.
10/25/12

The university appoints Ryan McPherson as its chief sustainability officer, charged with creating a culture of sustainability at UB.

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Our History

A Timeline of Accomplishments

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