Sustainability in the Classroom

Why Teach Sustainably?

On a planet of limited resources, stark inequities, economic limitations, and intensifying social and environmental crises, academic training and pursuits are vital in preparing students to meet and help solve the sustainability challenges of today and tomorrow.

As we train the professionals of tomorrow and advance the frontiers of knowledge and creative endeavor, we each lead with our actions.

Within academic classrooms, Pitt educators have a unique opportunities to shape course operations, the culture of discourse, and connections to environmental, equity, and economic challenges locally, nationally, and globally across academic disciplines.

We've provided you tips and resources to operate your classroom(s) more sustainably, incorporate sustainability into your curriculum, and promote a culture of sustainability for students and colleagues.

Curriculum

The University defines “sustainability” as “balancing equity, environment, and economics so current and future generations can thrive.” Mirroring global definitions sustainability is founded in a systems thinking, with connections drawn to every field of study, science, and industry. You can help the next generation more readily make these connections and changes, by incorporating sustainability in your teaching and research.

Climate Change

The climate crisis is urgent, with our planet and younger generations focused on action, but feeling the emotional toll of social and environmental catastrophes. With a climate action plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2037, the University is already working operationally to address our climate emergency.  Read the full Pitt Climate Action Plan to learn more about how pursuing carbon neutrality can enhance our academic mission.

In the Classroom

There are many ways to promote sustainability in the classroom. 

Reduce Paper Use

Paper accounted for 1.1% of Pitt’s FY19 Greenhouse Gas Inventory — and while paper use campus-wide is down 70% since then, much of the printing that remains is from academic departments.

Consider the following strategies to reduce the need for paper in your classroom and assignments:

  • Share Files & Forms Digitally
  • Encourage digital note-taking.
    • Rather than printing your presentation slides, share them electronically & encourage students to take digitally or in their own notebooks.
    • Applications like OneNote, GoodNotes and Notion are popular for notetaking and project management.
    • Use Electronic Research Notebooks (LabArchives) for note-taking in your labs and research projects.
  • Accept Digital Assignments, Presentations & Posters
    • Rather than traditional postering and text on paper, encourage students to use creative digital and online formats to present information.
    • Worried about academic integrity with online assignments? The Center for Teaching and Learning has resources available to guide your teaching with ChatGPT & other AI.
  • Consider Paper-Free Exams

Sustainable Purchasing

Before you buy new equipment or supplies for your classroom or lab, consider the following options to save money and associated emissions with new products:

  • Keep a shared inventory of office and classroom supplies with your department and check this inventory before making new purchases.
  • Check for shared resources before purchasing:
  • Purchase through Pitt’s contracted suppliers, who are vetted for compliance with University policies and diversity & sustainability goals; choose sustainable suppliers and greener items.
  • Eliminate Items Destined for Landfill
  • Dry erase markers are useful, but create a lot of waste as they are not recyclable or recoverable.
  • Opt for digital presentation methods, go old school and use chalk, or consider refillable dry erase markers
  • Opting for rechargeable batteries for your office and classroom equipment.

Lab waste reduction ideas

Save Energy

The University has substantive greenhouse gas & energy use reduction goals, and over 1.3 million square of LEED certified green buildings!

As our buildings become more efficient, individual energy choices have a greater relative impact, including for plug loads.

You can help reduce energy use in your classroom by:

  • Turning off lights when the classroom is not in use — or opt for daylight when possible.
  • Turning off all projectors and microphones at the end of the day and/or your class.
  • Turning off computers and devices when not in use and/or set up “sleep mode” after 20 minutes of inactivity.
  • Setting all computers and devices to energy-saving modes as default.
  • Unplugging devices when they are not in use – or use a smart power strip to manage and control vampire energy draws.

Accessible & Equitable Classrooms

With considerations for accessibility and equity, you can help every student thrive in your classroom.

At the start of each semester, review the many resources Pitt has available to help students succeed.

Many students need support, and don’t know who to ask for help. Sharing these resources up front helps students readily find the support they need.

Academic Culture

Sustainability Resources to Share with Students

Living and operating in a sustainable manner is important to Pitt students, with the 2023 Pitt Sustainability Literacy & Culture Survey demonstrating that students are eager to learn more about and change behaviors to support sustainability.

To help your students connect with opportunities to practice sustainability in daily campus life, please share the resources on this website and below with your students to help them !

Become a Pitt Green Office or Lab

You’re already making sustainable choices on campus – get recognized for it! By participating in Pitt’s Green designation programs, you’ll join a network of over 700 employees advancing sustainability at Pitt.

Help us grow this community and become a Pitt Green Office or Pitt Green Lab today!

Joining is Simple:

  1. Create Your Team – A PittGreen Office or Green Lab is at least 3 individuals who work together remotely, in a shared space, and/or with shared resources.
  2. Review the Pitt Green Lab and Green Office Guides – Read through the guides with your team, including several dozen sustainable habits you may already keep, or may be able to incorporate into your workflow.
  3. Complete Qualtrics Survey, marking off the sustainable habits your office or lab has adopted & hit submit! A Pitt Sustainability team member will review your answers & notify you of your designation level– Seed, Sprout, Sapling, or Sustainable Oak!
  4. Get Recognized! Pitt Green Offices and Green Labs are recognized online, receive a window/door decal, and get a plaque with your designation level made locally from reclaimed materials.
  5. You’ll also be invited to participate in our annual celebration, quarterly workshops, and help shape Pitt’s pathway towards carbon neutrality and all sustainability commitments.

Get Engaged on Campus

Just as sustainability is broad in definition, our practice of sustainability on campus reaches far and wide. If you’re looking for more ways to contribute to Pitt’s culture of sustainability on campus, consider the following:

Need help?

Email us!