Sustainability

CU Boulder breaks ground on chemistry and applied mathematics facility

Megan Maneval — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 20:09:53 +0000

CU Boulder breaks ground on chemistry and applied mathematics facility Megan Maneval Tue, 07/08/2025 - 14:09

Artist's rendering of the northwest side of the new CHAP facility

On June 16, CU Boulder began construction on its new chemistry and applied mathematics (CHAP) facility—a transformative project that marks a bold step forward in the university’s commitment to research excellence, sustainability and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Located on the southeast side of the Business School Field along Regent Drive, the CHAP building will span approximately 139,000 gross square feet. The facility will house the departments of Chemistry and Applied Mathematics, providing world-class facilities for two already highly regarded programs.

“This groundbreaking represents more than just the start of construction—it’s the beginning of a new era for STEM education and research at CU Boulder,” said Chancellor Justin Schwartz. “The CHAP facility will empower our faculty and students with the tools and spaces they need to lead in fields like quantum research, environmental chemistry and computational mathematics.”

With space dedicated for future quantum research, the CHAP facility underscores CU Boulder’s strategic investment in advancing quantum science—solidifying its position as a national leader in this rapidly evolving field.

The CU Board of Regents approved the $175.43 million project in 2024.

The building will feature modern laboratories, a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic core facility, a 237-seat auditorium and space for future quantum research. It is also designed to be one of the most energy-efficient research buildings in CU Boulder’s history, with sustainability features including cross-laminated timber construction, provisions to accommodate CU’s future low-temperature hot water systems and alignment with the Buy Clean Colorado Act.

“This facility is a strategic investment in the future of our academic mission,” said Provost Russ Moore. “It will not only address critical space and safety needs but also foster the kind of interdisciplinary collaboration that drives innovation and discovery.”

Interim Dean of Arts and Sciences Daryl Maeda echoed those sentiments, stating, “The CHAP facility exemplifies our vision for the future of science education—where sustainability, innovation and collaboration converge. It will be a place where students and faculty push the boundaries of knowledge and where the next generation of scientific leaders will take shape.”

The CHAP project is also expected to alleviate pressure on existing campus facilities. Once the departments relocate, vacated spaces in Cristol Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Engineering Center will be repurposed to benefit other academic units, including the College of Media, Design and Information and the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

The CHAP facility is expected to be completed in summer 2027.

CU Boulder has begun construction on the new chemistry and applied mathematics facility—which will feature cutting-edge labs, a quantum research hub and more.

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The stories that sustain us: A unique approach to sustainability

Megan Maneval — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:10:33 +0000

The stories that sustain us: A unique approach to sustainability Megan Maneval Wed, 07/02/2025 - 09:10

Coloradan

Professor Phaedra Pezzullo aims to make sustainability issues more relatable by integrating storytelling into environmental communication.

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Farm-diversification research wins top international prize

Megan Maneval — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 19:11:14 +0000

Farm-diversification research wins top international prize Megan Maneval Wed, 06/18/2025 - 13:11

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

CU Boulder’s Zia Mehrabi is one of three researchers named international champions of the Frontiers Planet Prize for research that finds environmental and social benefits of agricultural diversification.

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Understanding light-driven production of hydrogen could unlock future insights for harnessing light for chemistry

Megan Maneval — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:52:09 +0000

Understanding light-driven production of hydrogen could unlock future insights for harnessing light for chemistry Megan Maneval Fri, 06/13/2025 - 08:52

Improved understanding of the light-driven production of hydrogen holds the promise not just to make the reaction more efficient in producing a fuel but also to offer a framework to better understand future light-driven chemistries.

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'Fall back in love with nature': A climate forum's call to lead with heart

Megan Maneval — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 13:24:43 +0000

'Fall back in love with nature': A climate forum's call to lead with heart Megan Maneval Tue, 06/10/2025 - 07:24

Yvaine Ye

Left to right: Graduate student Naia Zulueta, moderator and journalist Lakshmi Singh, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, graduate student John Ecklu and Professor Amanda Carrico. Photos by Casey Cass/CU Boulder.

When asked what she would do if every government around the world became aligned on climate action, with unlimited resources for one year, Sheila Watt-Cloutier, longtime advocate for the rights of the Arctic’s Inuit peoples and Indigenous groups worldwide, didn’t hesitate.

“I would continue doing what I’ve been doing for 30 years but in much more of a full force,” said Watt-Cloutier. “I would build a team and get the younger generation mobilized in bigger ways than we have. They're the ones who have given me a lot of inspiration, and they're fighting for their future.”

Watt-Cloutier delivered a powerful plenary keynote Thursday in Boulder. She was also a featured speaker at the inaugural Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit held at CU Boulder in 2022.

The day’s conversation centered on climate change’s disproportionate burden on women, youth, Indigenous people and communities who are historically unseen—and the need to ensure solutions focus on those most affected. NPR Newscaster Lakshmi Singh moderated the discussions.

Watt-Cloutier said she believes that educating people about the human impacts of climate change can bring the world together, even in times of political uncertainty and conflict.

“We're all in this together as a common humanity,” Watt-Cloutier said.

Joined by three other members of the CU Boulder community, including environmental studies professor Amanda Carrico, environmental human rights graduate student Naia Zulueta and environmental engineering graduate student John Ecklu, Watt-Cloutier and the group outlined three ideas to guide the work toward climate solutions.

“Do things that bring you back to nature, and you will start to protect what you love.”

Turn research data into tools for change

Around the world, about 3.6 billion people are living in areas highly susceptible to climate change. Despite contributing minimally to global emissions, those in low-income and marginalized communities bear most of the impact.

A persistent problem is the lack of data for these communities. Zulueta noted that over a third of countries worldwide still lack routine indoor air quality monitoring.

“No data means no visibility, and no visibility means no accountability,” she said.

At the same time, the panelists emphasized that the world has enough data to understand the scale of the climate crisis and to mobilize action. An important step is making that information accessible and actionable.

Ecklu at CU Boulder’s Mortenson Center in Global Engineering & Resilience has been working on water well monitoring in Kenya. Prolonged droughts have forced local people to rely heavily on deep water wells called boreholes. But frequent breakdowns in Kenya’s boreholes are severely threatening water access for the communities.

To address the issue, Ecklu and team installed sensors that can detect signs of borehole failure and alert local engineers before wells completely collapse.

“We need to be more intentional about how the data we are collecting can better serve local communities,” he said. “Accessible data is helping communities become more resilient.”

Put a human face to the issues

But statistics alone are not enough. More than once during the event, the group returned to the idea that reframing climate change as a human rights issue is essential.

“We can no longer just think our way through these issues of climate change,” Watt-Cloutier said. “We have to feel our way through, and we've got to connect as a common humanity.”

Sheila Watt-Cloutier gives keynote remarks at the 2025 Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit plenary event in Boulder.

She described how melting Arctic sea ice isn’t just an environmental loss. It’s the disappearance of an entire way of life for Indigenous communities. “The ice is our life force. It’s our highway that brings us out to the supermarkets. It’s our organic farms, which bring us highly nutritious food we need.”

For Watt-Cloutier, one solution is leadership rooted not in anger and force but in empathy and connection.

“We can never underestimate the impact when we take a big action toward something that we feel is so important to us. Don’t let the politics of things stop us,” she added.

She will be speaking more about conscious leadership in her upcoming podcast, A Radical Act of Hope.

Embrace nature-based solutions

Finally, speakers urged a shift away from carbon-heavy, industrial responses to climate change to solutions from nature.

Ecklu highlighted a Colorado-based example along the Yampa River, where restoring wetlands is helping to filter water runoff from nearby farms before it reaches the river. Nature-based solutions like this improve water quality while supporting biodiversity and ecological health.

Watt-Cloutier echoed the importance of reconnecting with nature, which holds the wisdom needed to sustain it.

“In the Arctic, we just absolutely love our land, and Indigenous peoples around the world are the same. We love nature because of what it gives us, and the love allows us to be stronger in our fight to defend our way of life,” she said.

She urged city dwellers to rediscover that bond.

“Do things that bring you back to nature, and you will start to protect what you love.”

At a regional plenary of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, co-sponsored by CU Boulder, speakers called for action that centers human stories, local wisdom and nature-based solutions to break the cycle of environmental injustice.

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Sustainable spinouts: Innovation in action

Megan Maneval — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 15:49:22 +0000

Sustainable spinouts: Innovation in action Megan Maneval Mon, 06/09/2025 - 09:49

Coloradan

From engineered "living" sidewalks to quantum-fueled leak detection systems, several CU spinouts are bringing Earth-focused breakthroughs to the marketplace.

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Sustainability Council discusses pouring rights, draft food policy and more

Megan Maneval — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 19:47:16 +0000

Sustainability Council discusses pouring rights, draft food policy and more Megan Maneval Tue, 06/03/2025 - 13:47

The Campus Sustainability Council convened on May 16 to discuss the following topics:

Pouring rights

The campus has entered into contract negotiations with Pepsi for a new pouring rights agreement set to begin on July 1. Under this agreement, only beverages in cans and glass containers would be available across campus, eliminating single-use plastic (SUP) beverage containers. This comprehensive 10-year contract will cover athletics, vending (retail) and all dining services across campus.

As a result of the shift away from plastic, some beverage offerings would be reduced due to their packaging limitations. Pepsi’s broader commitment to global sustainability was a key factor in the decision to move forward with this agreement.

Next steps: Pending contract negotiations, the new agreement would begin July 1.

Draft food policy

Faculty member Peter Newton introduced a draft food policy emphasizing the significant intersection between food choices and sustainability, particularly in relation to the Climate Action Plan. The policy proposes phasing out beef and lamb over the next five years, arguing that meaningful reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are unlikely without removing ruminant meats from campus menus.

Newton said the approach is not just about adding plant-based options but about eliminating high-emission items. The proposal does not prescribe specific replacements for beef and lamb. Education around moderation is also a key goal of the policy. Some council members pointed out that with a non-optional meal plan, completely eliminating beef and lamb may not be feasible.

Next steps: The council will compile data from Campus Dining and other sources to model current GHG emissions and project the impact of the proposed changes. Substantially more dialogue is required before any decisions can be made regarding the proposal.

Join the Sustainable Buffs community

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Vacant council seats

There are currently four open seats on the council—one for a student, two for staff and one for faculty. This is a great opportunity to get involved and help shape campus initiatives. If you're interested or know someone who might be, please fill out or share the application form.

The Campus Sustainability Council recently discussed a pouring rights contract, a draft food policy and efforts to fill four vacant council seats. Learn more about the group's May meeting.

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Village Center Dining receives 'greenest' award

Megan Maneval — Tue, 20 May 2025 14:27:12 +0000

Village Center Dining receives 'greenest' award Megan Maneval Tue, 05/20/2025 - 08:27

Village Center Dining is the recipient of the 2025 Greenest University Restaurant Award from the Green Restaurant Association, a national nonprofit organization. The award recognizes how the dining center has gone above and beyond to adopt sustainable practices.

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Office spring cleaning tips for faculty and staff

Anonymous — Fri, 09 May 2025 18:43:03 +0000

Office spring cleaning tips for faculty and staff Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 05/09/2025 - 12:43

At the end of another academic year, you may be looking to do some spring cleaning around your office. As you start to declutter desk drawers and other spaces, the Environmental Center has tips to help you make the most of your spring cleaning.

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An apple a day? It's the Boulder way

Megan Maneval — Fri, 09 May 2025 17:16:43 +0000

An apple a day? It's the Boulder way Megan Maneval Fri, 05/09/2025 - 11:16

Colorado Arts and Sciences Magazine

A newly planted apple orchard on the CU Boulder campus is a nexus of university and community partnerships and will be a living classroom for students and educators.

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