History
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Students for a Sustainable Stanford was formed in the Spring of 2000 by a small group of students who wanted to encourage green building on campus and reduce Stanford's greenhouse gas emissions. Our primary focus during our first year-and-a-half was to increase the incorporation of green building strategies and techniques in campus buildings. Our central argument was that green and energy-efficient buildings not only save environmental resources, but also save Stanford a significant amount of money by reducing lifetime energy operating costs of the buildings. The building sustainability campaign in 2000-2002 brought SSS into the spotlight on campus and in the news, as ASSU, GSC, key faculty members, and alumni all joined the effort. Following negotiations with LBRE and the formation of a student-staff Environmental Stewardship Management Group, Stanford's very first guideline for sustainable building was published in 2002.
Unfortunately, records of SSS activity from 2002-2008 are scarce. Over time, the group has acquired more areas of interest (adding water, climate, waste and EJ project groups), more fields of organizing, and new methods of action. SSS deeply values opportunities to partner with diverse student orgs, including Stanford in Government, Hui o Nā Moku, and Stanford Womxn in Law. We've invited notable environmental leaders such as Sylvia Earle, Al Gore, and Nainoa Thompson to speak on campus. In addition to pressing the University President and Provost for action, SSS facilitates relationships with staff at the Office of Sustainability, R&DE, the Woods Institute for the Environment, and the Earth School. Since 2010 the Haas Center for Public Service has been a steadfast supporter of SSS, providing advising and space for the group through the Cardinal Commitment program. Thank you Haas! Today, SSS is the hub of student sustainability and environmental activism on campus. We believe in centering social & environmental justice in our work, and that we must amplify voices of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in the environmental movement (read our Statement of Solidarity). Interested in more SSS history? Check out archived webpages, blog posts, and photos. |
Transportation Group hard at work! (2020)
Presentation by Stanford Conservation Program (2023)
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