UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Building on their ongoing partnership, Penn State Sustainability (SustainPSU) and the Pennsylvania GreenGov Council will renew their monthly webinar series to educate government officials, students and faculty about sustainability issues that affect Pennsylvania and the progress we as a state are making to address the Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"The GreenGov Council appreciates the opportunity to develop sustainability education for the state with Penn State Sustainability, because we get to learn and broaden our own understanding," said Mark Hand, director of the GreenGov. "There are so many sustainability professionals working to make Pennsylvania better and more resilient, and through our partnership we get to share their expertise across the commonwealth."
This year's series features experts from across Pennsylvania and Penn State:
- Friday, Oct. 18 at noon (EDT): “How Public Healthcare Can Advance Environmental Sustainability” — Thomas Burk, chief executive officer of Danville State Hospital, will discuss ways his institution has refined its operations to reduce environmental impact while enhancing financial sustainability.
- Friday, Nov. 15 at noon (EST): “Innovation Mission to Denmark: Review of Danish Biogas Models and Technologies” — Mike Roth, director of conservation and innovation at the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, will discuss models from Denmark to explore how Pennsylvania could adapt biogas as an innovative and more sustainable industry.
- Friday, Dec. 13 at noon (EST): “Importance of Social Infrastructure for Strengthening Community Preparedness and Adaptation to Climate Change” — Erica Husser, Penn State assistant research professor of nursing, and Kristina Brant, Penn State assistant professor of rural sociology, will provide an overview of the role that social networks and institutions play in building community resilience when responding to health challenges associated with climate change and innovative initiatives happening in Pennsylvania.
- Friday, Jan. 17 at noon (EST): “Educating the Sustainability Leaders of Tomorrow: PA’s New STEELS Standards” — Tamara Peffer, executive director of the PA Advisory Council on Environmental Education, and Amanda Smith, Penn State director of the K-12 Engagement Network, will discuss the state’s new science standards that now require the teaching of sustainability, and an innovative community of practice created by Penn State to support K-12 school districts across the commonwealth in addressing these standards.
- Friday, Feb. 21 at noon (EST): “Unleashing the Energy and Climate Funding of the DOE & EPA: Now is the time!” — David Althoff Jr., director of the energy programs office for the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), will lead a conversation with leaders from the DEP about how Pennsylvania can capitalize on millions of dollars of federal funding to make clean energy investments across the state.
- Friday, March 21 at noon (EDT): “Navigating Your Sustainability Journey: Exploring Government Careers in Sustainability” — Recognizing the demand from students for careers in sustainability, presenters from multiple state government agencies will discuss their personal paths to a career and provide an overview for Pennsylvania college students of job opportunities to advance their sustainability careers and serve the state at the same time.
- Friday, April 18 at noon (EDT): “Understanding the Keystone State Challenge Academy: An Army National Guard Program Helping PA Teens Graduate” — Steve Grossman, director of the Keystone State Challenge Academy in the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, will discuss this innovative, tuition-free program for teens in danger of not graduating high school.
Monthly webinars are free and open to all. Pre-registration is required at this link.
About the GreenGov Council
The GreenGov Council was re-established by executive order in January 2019 to help the state reach its climate goal of an 80% reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2050. Housed within the Pennsylvania Department of General Services, the council helps to integrate sustainability into the commonwealth’s policy, planning, operations, procurement and regulatory functions.
The GreenGov Council approached Penn State Sustainability in 2019 to develop ways in which Penn State can support the state government’s sustainability efforts. Together they have offered this webinar series since 2020 to help state and local government employees, non-profits and university faculty and students explore opportunities to further Pennsylvania’s sustainability goals.
To learn more about GreenGov, click here to sign up for its quarterly newsletter. For any additional questions or comments regarding registration or webinar content, contact the GreenGov Council at RA-GSGreenGov@pa.gov or Peter Boger at pgb45@psu.edu.