Green College Spotlight: Macquarie University

Here at EarthFirst we have covered dozens of sustainable-minded colleges and universities across Canada and the United States, but this week’s green college spotlight is a first: we’re headed all the way across the Pacific Ocean to highlight Sydney, Australia’s Macquarie University.

Macquarie University has dedicated itself to being ecologically sound, and spreading the message of sustainability across the campus and into the community. Macquarie functions as a sustainable community itself, serving as a model example for responsible consumption of water, energy, food, products and transport.

The university engages students and staff in a number of ways, including the Macquarie Enviro Collective, a group of students for sustainability who undertake educational campaigns and participate in Macquarie University committees like the Sustainability Working Group and the Sustainability Action Groups. The university’s Bike Club helps students find ‘bike buddies’ who help new riders gain confidence in traffic and learn the best ways to get around campus. Students also take part in bushwalks to experience Australia’s unique environment firsthand, and tend an organic community garden that serves as a learning opportunity and a source of chemical-free food.

Macquarie has committed to purchasing green power, with an additional purchase of 5%, which will increase by 1% annually. Macquarie University currently uses cogeneration and geothermal technology to supply energy for various areas on campus and is actively working toward lowering its carbon footprint through energy conservation efforts. As a large university with over 20,000 students, water and energy consumption is still high, but Macquarie is taking important steps to address these issues, including the implementation of innovative water-saving technology.

One of Macquarie’s most prominent green features is its large areas of natural space. The university grounds contain a number of threatened ecological vegetation communities, which are being managed responsibly to preserve them for future generations. It’s part of Macquarie’s dedication to biodiversity, which includes a Biodiversity Action Group that helps ensure that self-sustaining natural systems are maintained on campus.

Macquarie University has also infused sustainability into its ‘Learning and Teaching Plan’.  It’s now a guiding principle within which the curriculum is developed. Macquarie hopes to send graduates forth into the world who are socially and environmentally active and responsible, engaged and ethical local and global citizens who are capable of professional and personal judgment and initiative.

EarthFirst will be highlighting more international universities in the coming weeks. If you’d like to nominate a college or university for our Green College Spotlight, please contact us!

Link [Macquarie University]

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