Sustainable Smith
In 1886, Florence Merriam Bailey, a student concerned about the plight of birds, started the Smith College Audubon Society and began weaving the fabric of sustainability at Smith that can now be found across all aspects of the college—in academics, operations, research and student life. Smith prepares women through active learning and societal engagement to foster and lead sustainable, just communities and to make significant and lasting contributions to address the critical issues of the times. Like Florence, students are frequently at the heart of sustainability issues on campus. You’ll find their stories throughout these pages.
Need clothing, toiletries, room essentials, or funds for travel or emergencies? The Common Goods Resource Center is here to help connect students with resources.
See How Smith Plans To Be Carbon Neutral by 2030
We are committed to acting against climate change and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality means achieving net zero carbon emissions by sequestering or offsetting the equivalent amount of carbon or greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as we release. Since the early 2000’s we have been reducing our energy consumption (demand) and cleaning up our energy supply with renewable generation sources.
Sustainability News
Big Moves
Smith has long punched above its weight in the fight against climate change. Here’s how.
Cacao In The Greenhouse
Botanic garden staff and student interns set out to discover if they could make one of the most beloved substances on earth.
Takes One To Grow One
When the pandemic pause gave them a chance to reboot, Botanic Garden staff decided to make a long-held tradition as diverse and resilient as students themselves.
Under Construction
The college’s cutting-edge project to convert its aging fossil-fuel-fired steam heating system into a state-of-the-art, electricity-fueled geothermal system took some big steps over the summer, moving Smith closer to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030.
New Climate Law Will Help Massachusetts Meet Emissions Reduction Deadlines: Policy analysis by Lucy Metz '22
Recent grad Lucy Metz '22 breaks down the new MA climate law in this article from Synapse Energy.
Geothermal heating and cooling: Smith profiled in Yale Climate Connections
Meet Audrey Cho ’24: Smith’s Udall Scholar
Audrey Cho ’24 is one of 55 college students selected nationally this year from more than 380 applicants for a prestigious Udall Undergraduate Scholarship.
‘Modeling What Carbon Neutrality Really Means’
Smith is acting in the face of the climate crisis. In mid-May, the college will break ground on a bold new infrastructure project—one that will allow Smith to realize its pledge of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Smith Botanic Garden Takes Up Social Justice
In a virtual talk on Thursday, March 3, at 4:15 p.m., landscape curator John Berryhill will share examples of how staff and students are using the Smith botanic garden for social justice work.
Energy from the Sun: Collaborative Solar Facility Goes Online in Maine
An innovative collaborative energy project has started delivering electricity to five New England colleges—and to tens of thousands of students, staff and faculty—as a new solar energy facility has gone online in Farmington, Maine. Launched in 2018, the New England College Renewable Partnership is a first-of-its-kind collaboration among Smith and four other leading New England liberal arts colleges.
Students in Sustainability
Contact
Wright Hall 005
Smith College
Northampton, MA 01063