Pittsburgh Review

Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) is demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability through a variety of initiatives, integrating environmental, social, and economic justice. This effort aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"Underlying inequities are challenges across social, economic and environmental justice," said Alexandra Hiniker, director of the Sustainability Initiative. "These cannot be solved by carbon emissions and recycling alone."

The university's approach includes reducing inequalities (Goal 10), poverty (Goal 1), achieving gender equality (Goal 5), and promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions (Goal 16). Educational courses and programs at CMU focus on these goals.

Kimberly Piatt, director of experiential learning with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences, emphasized the importance of connecting students to social justice concepts. The Dietrich Community Engagement Fellowship Program allows students to explore projects related to social change.

"The students in this program have learned that they can make local-level impacts," Piatt said. "It brings these higher-level goals down in a manageable way."

Projects include working with non-profits like Forbes Funds, establishing a high-school STEM leadership institute for girls, developing trauma-informed resources for abuse survivors, creating community garden videos, and reviving hip-hop dance competitions.

Piatt noted the importance of engaging with community members who possess valuable expertise. "Even though you may have been studying this in class as a student, they are living this."

CMU student groups also participate in sustainability efforts. For instance, CMU Sustainable Earth and Thrifty Mellon organized a second-hand clothing event called Slaystainable Styles.

Meggan Lloyd from SLICE highlighted the Nexus of Civic Engagement space at Cohon University Center as a resource for students and community members to engage in service projects.

Pittsburgh Alternative Break offers weeklong programs allowing students to experience local social issues firsthand.

John Soluri’s “Crafting Coffee” discussion explored global supply chain impacts on sustainability. Scott Miller from 19 Coffee Co., emphasized the industry's focus on sustainable practices.

Soledad Cabezas from Building New Hope asked roasters about prioritizing certifications like shade-grown or bird-friendly coffee. Chuck Connors from La Prima Espresso Co. confirmed their importance.

Soluri also teaches “Coffee and Capitalism,” where students learn about sustainability beyond environmental aspects. Minyi Ren appreciated this broader understanding after taking the course.

Korryn Mozisek's course on Technology, Humanity and Social Justice examines technology's broad impact through weekend microcourses offered collaboratively with the University of Pittsburgh’s Global Studies Center.

Students' final papers address topics such as data storage energy consumption and electronic waste recycling considerations. Mozisek emphasized thinking broadly about social justice impacts.

Through the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research, CMU offers majors or minors in environmental studies while first-year seminars discuss topics like health disparities influenced by prejudice.

Destenie Nock underscored intentional efforts needed for achieving social justice within sustainability frameworks. Nock's research focuses on energy justice using metrics to identify those experiencing energy poverty.

“In the sustainability space...an overlooked area of need are the millions struggling to pay their energy bills,” she said. Nock founded Peoples Energy Analytics to connect vulnerable households with assistance services.

Nock stressed that addressing both technological efficiency and housing upgrades is crucial for sustainable solutions. She values CMU’s interdisciplinary support through institutes like Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation.

“Carnegie Mellon is really good at interdisciplinary work,” she said. “At the same time...getting feedback from people in industry is very important when you want societal impact.”