As members of Gen Z, we’re tasked with addressing the climate crisis handed down to us. Given the scale of the challenge and its impact across various sectors, finding ways to contribute positively can seem overwhelming. However, the Green Innovation Competition offers a beacon of hope by engaging undergraduate students from Syracuse University in actively shaping our campus’s transition to a net-zero, sustainable future!
The Green Innovation Competition is seeking proposals from the Syracuse University student body to identify a sustainability problem on campus, suggest an innovative, creative and feasible solution to the relevant University department (Food Services, Sustainability Management, Facilities, etc.) and pitch your proposal at a poster symposium to sustainability expert judges. The winning proposal will be forwarded to the appropriate University department, and a grant of $15,000 will be allocated to the department for addressing and implementing the winning idea.
Register now for the Green Innovation Competition before the 11:59 p.m. deadline on Friday, March 8! Provide a brief outline of your proposal, your group (1-4 members) and your contact information. Submission guidelines will be released following registration.
The submission deadline is Monday, April 1, at 11:59pm. The competition day is Monday, April 8 in 304ABC Schine Student Center, with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. and the poster symposium from 6-8 p.m.
If the mission statement was not convincing enough, here are three reasons why you should compete in the Green Innovation Competition.
Become a Changemaker
By participating in this competition, you will demonstrate your passion for making the world a better place and your motivation to act. Your innovative and creative ideas will inspire others to make a change in leaving the University better than you found it. The Green Innovation Competition seeks to mold students into future innovators and changemakers in the climate reform movement. By identifying sustainability problems on campus and suggesting new ideas, you will strengthen your critical thinking skills and influence the University to continue to progress in its sustainability policies.
Make an Impact in Your Community
If you win, your proposal will not only have lasting affects on campus but also ripple out to the greater Syracuse community. As the largest private employer in Central New York, your climate policy will not only affect the carbon footprints of all 20,000 students, but also thousands of Syracuse University employees! Additionally, because of the interconnectedness of the environment, a more sustainable campus means a more sustainable City of Syracuse.
Your proposal’s implementation will greatly help Syracuse, as it’s considered an environmentally disadvantaged community by New York State. Often, the greatest change first comes from action in your community. Take a stand now and be the change you wish to see in the world!
Impress Your Future Employers
Your prospective employers will be highly impressed by your participation in this competition, as it showcases your passion, creativity and strong critical thinking skills. Moreover, if you win, you will demonstrate a tangible, real-world experience in creating feasible business strategies and solutions to multifaceted challenges.
What are you waiting for? Register now for the Green Innovation Competition before the March 8 deadline. Questions? Email us at susustainabilityforum@gmail.com and follow us at @susustainabilityforum on Instagram. Take a look at our website for more information.
Written By Olivia Curreri ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications