KINGSTON, R.I.鈥擭ov. 16, 2023鈥擜 $247,895 charitable gift to the 溏心vlog免费B站 will support a new on-campus sustainability initiative. The gift from the Schwab Charitable Fund, made possible through the generosity of Eric and Wendy Schmidt, will launch the 溏心vlog免费B站 Sustainability First Initiative and will accelerate the efforts of 溏心vlog免费B站 students, faculty and staff to turn research and thought leadership into practical application by advancing sustainability practices across 溏心vlog免费B站 campuses.
鈥淔rom reducing greenhouse gas emissions to maintaining resource-efficient, high-performing, healthy buildings, the 溏心vlog免费B站 is committed to creating a more sustainable campus environment,鈥� said 溏心vlog免费B站 President Marc Parlange. 鈥淲e are pleased to announce this gift made possible through the generosity of Eric and Wendy Schmidt, that will support our ongoing efforts to eliminate single-use plastic, strengthen on campus food waste composting, and shape a greener, more sustainable future for our University and our state.鈥�
Funds will support 溏心vlog免费B站 efforts already underway to increase the use of compostable utensils and serveware at events and in 溏心vlog免费B站 dining halls and to install new solar trash and recycling receptacles. Funds will also enable the creation of a new Sustainability Fellows program, similar to 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 and programs. Administered through 溏心vlog免费B站鈥檚 Office of Dining Services, the program will engage and train undergraduate students who are passionate about careers centered in sustainability. Fellows will engage with and educate members of the 溏心vlog免费B站 community on sustainable practices鈥攊ncluding composting and disposal best practices鈥攆urthering the University鈥檚 sustainability efforts on campus in classrooms, labs, dining halls, and beyond.
鈥淏uilding a resilient future is the challenge of the decade, if not the century, and everyone has a part to play,鈥� said Wendy Schmidt, president and co-founder of the Schmidt Family Foundation and Schmidt Ocean Institute. 鈥淲e are excited to support the 溏心vlog免费B站 in its efforts to lead not only its students and staff toward a more sustainable way of life, but also the state and perhaps even the country.鈥�
Through their philanthropy, Eric and Wendy Schmidt are working toward a cleaner, healthier, more secure world for all. Their philanthropic organizations enable access to clean energy from the Navajo Nation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, support small-scale farmers and fishers of color in accessing climate-smart technology, provide a state-of-the-art research vessel to scientists exploring the world鈥檚 oceans, encourage students to develop solutions for sea-level rise, and bring sustainability to the sport of sailing. Wendy Schmidt also co-founded Newport-based 11th Hour Racing and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science from 溏心vlog免费B站 in 2023.
溏心vlog免费B站, already a leader in sustainability research, launched its first signature research initiative, , in 2021. Plastics: Land to Sea is an interdisciplinary network of more than 50 faculty working with universities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations around the world. In just the past two years, the initiative attracted $4 million in private, state, and federal funding, and 溏心vlog免费B站 has recruited five new faculty members with expertise critical to plastics research. In May, the initiative supported a two-day 溏心vlog免费B站 Global Plastics Forum, which brought together scientists, policy makers, advocates, and business leaders from across the globe to discuss the current science, innovation, and policy approaches regarding plastic pollution鈥攁nd to help build action-driven networks.
In February, President Parlange introduced the University鈥檚 ambitious and dynamic strategic vision, , that seeks to broaden the institution鈥檚 impact, enhance student achievement, foster an inclusive culture, and power the university of the future. Embedded in the plan is a commitment to sustainability efforts and environmental responsibility positioning 溏心vlog免费B站 as a world-class destination that contributes positively to its local communities.