Sustainability Awareness Month Rally

October 13, 2022

Thank you, Steve.
And thank you to everyone for your support and enthusiasm for the
kick off to Sustainability Awareness Month.

< P A U S E >
At my core, I am a scientist.
I look for facts, and piece together a hypothesis in my investigations
to solve a problem.
The environmental problems facing all of us require that we do
more than look at the facts about climate change.
There is no question or doubt that we must address what is needed
on our campus, communities, society and our planet to be truly
sustainable.
We are educators…. And as educators, it is our responsibility to
make sure our students, and our communities know the facts about
climate change and sustainability.
In the past year, we conducted an assessment of sustainability
practices at OU.
It is merely a benchmark, a starting point…
- We must raise sustainability as a priority, and find innovative
  approaches to making sure Oakland is not only a sustainable
  university, but a model for all other universities and
  communities.
As we move into the mid 21st century, our environmental concerns
must be at the heart of a broad public discussion about what
policies, practices and behavioral habits are suitable and sustainable
in a world changing rapidly from the impact of climate change.
As an institution of higher education, our role is to appeal to
objective facts and reason….and work for a deeper and broader
understanding of the environmental challenges facing us, and how
we can and must work together.
Look around… Today’s gathering is a representation of our campus
community… Students, faculty and staff… All coming together for a
common cause.
In thinking about how best to introduce Sustainability Month, I was
inspired by “Earthrise,” a poem by Amanda Gorman, who many of
you will remember for her inspired recitation of her poem delivered
at President Biden’s Inaugural Address.
I think this excerpt from her poem sets the tone for today:
Of this, you’re certainly aware.

It’s saddening, but I cannot spare you

From knowing an inconvenient fact, because

It’s getting the facts straight that gets us to act and not

to wait.
So I tell you this not to scare you,

But to prepare you, to dare you

To dream a different reality,
Where despite disparities

We all care to protect this world,

This riddled blue marble, this little true marvel

To muster the verve and the nerve

To see how we can serve

Our planet. You don’t need to be a politician

To make it your mission to conserve, to protect,

To preserve that one and only home

That is ours,

To use your unique power

To give next generations the planet they deserve.
Thank you