There are so many ways to get involved in Northern Michigan University’s sustainability efforts. Challenge yourself to make one small change for the environment today and then continue to add something new each month or year. 

There are educational opportunities to increase your environmental awareness. There are groups to join or initiatives to support.   Consider learning more about the committees on campus that are involved in implementing sustainability ideas and possibly serving as a member. Whether you’re a student, faculty or staff member, bring your sustainability ideas for the NMU campus to your department head or job supervisor, or send them to gogreen@nmu.edu.

Becoming more environmentally conservative is as easy as turning off the light switch on your way out of a room. Start small and build your efforts – or, as the saying goes, “Think globally, act locally.” However you can personally help NMU become a more environmentally friendly and sustainable university, don’t wait. Start today!

15 Ways to Get Involved

  1. Reduce, reuse and recycle.
  2. Walk or ride a bike around campus. Or use public transportation
  3. Take the stairs instead of using the elevators. It’s better for your health!
  4. Turn off lights and use natural light.
  5. Drink tap water instead of bottled water. (Did you know that tap water standards require higher quality than bottled water?)
  6. Turn off water when brushing your teeth, washing your hands or when washing dishes and other items.
  7. Consider purchasing low-flow shower heads.
  8. Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs.
  9. Turn off all copiers, computers, printers, fax machines and other electronic devices when they are not in use. Using a power strip can make the “on-off” process easier.
  10. Make sure your computers, monitors and other electronic devices have the “sleep” setting enabled.
  11. Purchase environmentally friendly products. These include buying local food, nontoxic cleaning products and recycled paper products.
  12. Buy energy-efficient appliances. Look for the EnergyStar icon.
  13. Take a class or attend workshop or seminar on campus or in the community to learn more about environmental initiatives and issues at the local, state, regional, national and global level.
  14. Join a student or community group that is involved in environment efforts.
  15. Learn more about your own personal carbon footprint.