WSU Hosts Tenth Annual Intermountain Sustainability Summit

OGDEN, Utah –  The Intermountain Sustainability Summit, Utah’s largest multi-topic sustainability conference, returns to Weber State University for its 10th year March 21 and 22. The summit provides sustainability professionals from business, non-profits, government and education the opportunity to come together to learn, share and network.

 The summit will include topics such as buildings and cities; climate and engagement; clean energy; equity and zero waste. Additionally, the Eco Expo will return, so participants can meet with vendors who provide products, services and solutions to help meet sustainability needs.

“The Intermountain Sustainability Summit is a vital event for our regional community of sustainability professionals,” said Alice Mulder, WSU’s Sustainability Practices and Research Center director. “It is an opportunity to come together and learn, share and connect with talented and passionate people, who are working to make things better for everyone.”

The first day of the summit will open with a presentation from Brenda Ekwurzel, director of climate science for the Climate & Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. Ekwurzel is a co-author of the “Fourth National Climate Assessment, Volume II.” She frequently presents on climate science and practical, achievable solutions for climate change.

Participants can then attend their choice of 20 sessions presented by local and national sustainability leaders.

The summit’s keynote speaker, Paul Hawken, will present after lunch on day one, March 21. Hawken is a world-renowned environmentalist, entrepreneur, author and activist. He has authored seven books on business and the environment, which have been published in over 50 countries in 28 languages. Hawken is the founder of Project Drawdown, a non-profit organization that advocates for substantive solutions to global warming.

Additional day one events include the Eco Expo and the student poster contest. Students whose posters were chosen for display receive free, day-one admission and are entered to win prizes. Posters are based on projects for classes or internships that relate to sustainability.

Day two of the summit is workshop day. Participants have their choice of three workshops. Ekwurzel will lead a session on reducing the risks of climate change.

A Weber State student started the summit in 2009, which has since grown to be the largest conference of its kind in the state of Utah.

Registration is required for each day. Registration for day one is $125 for the general public and $30 for students from any institution. Day two registration is based on which workshops participants select to attend. Workshop registration costs can be found here.

Visit weber.edu/issummit for more information.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:

Ross Rosier, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • rossrosier@weber.edu

Contact:

Bonnie Christiansen, Academic Sustainability coordinator
801-626-6326 • bchristiansen2@weber.edu

Alice Mulder, Sustainability Practices and Research Center director
801-626-6198 • amulder@weber.edu