Sustainability
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Going Green: Impact of Being Sustainable in College
While some practice sustainability subconsciously as part of daily life, others directly devote their time to getting involved. This is particularly common among college-age students, and at the University of Georgia, the campus and surrounding community offer a multitude of ways to get involved with the cause. College campuses that…
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Wings of Change: Oconee River Land Trust Supports Biodiversity on Middle Oconee River
At first glance, the Middle Oconee River winding through Athens might be dismissed as just a murky stretch of water. However, it is a habitat that supports a critical ecosystem, one containing opportunities for discovery and study. The Oconee River Land Trust (ORLT), a nonprofit organization aiming to conserve land…
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Art and Sustainability: How One Local Artist Repurposes Materials to Master Her Craft
As climate change reshapes daily life in Athens, local artist Chloe Yune is pushing back against environmental degradation through creative sustainability. At just 23, the Indiana native and UGA graduate is making waves with her eco-conscious approach to art. Using discarded clay scraps and repurposed household “junk,” Yune crafts intricate…
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How One Man’s Hobby is Helping Reduce Waste in Athens
It was the combination of frequent trips to resale shops mixed with his tennis burnout that led Athens resident David Ragsdale to his new hobby: cast iron restoration — the process of searching for, stripping down and seasoning decades-old cookware to give it a new life. “My lady likes Pyrex,…
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Where Did the Electric Go? UGA Transportation Includes More Diesel Buses in Fleet
The University of Georgia received a $10 million grant in spring 2019 to purchase 20 Proterra Catalyst E2 electric buses and began using them in the fall semester. As part of their sustainability plan, this grant allowed the university to step forward in reducing carbon emissions and provide alternative transportation…
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Northeast Georgia Food Bank Lends Neighbors A Hand to A Healthier Plate
Many Athens residents live in food deserts. And according to Feeding America, almost 20% of residents in Clarke County were living in food insecurity as of 2023. But the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is leading the charge to not only feed every mouth, but to do so sustainably. Athens-Clarke…
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Federal Funding Cuts Affect National Parks, but also Local Businesses and the Environment
The total federal funding for the National Park Service (NPS) in 2025 was $3.337 billion. That’s seven percent less than the Biden administration’s request of $3.576 billion. The Trump administration has proposed a cut of more than $1 billion across the operation of NPS, including its historic preservation fund, construction…
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Sustainable Merch Finds a Home in Athens’ Music Scene
In Athens, a town known for its DIY approach to music, local bands and students are rethinking a critical part of the music industry: merch. Right now, streaming accounts for 84% of recorded music revenues in the United States. The thing is, musicians aren’t earning the majority of their revenue through collecting…
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How UGA Community Garden is Adapting to Climate Change
On an early fall evening in Athens, rows of fig trees and native crops bask in the sun at UGArden, the University of Georgia’s student-run community garden. But beneath this calm green canopy, there’s a growing unease among local gardeners. “It’s not normal anymore,” says UGArden executive board member, Owen…
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Push for Change: Northeast Georgia Organizations Pursue Environmental Justice
Hurricane season is here, and Athens received its share of downpours over the past month. The heavy rain has left low-income communities vulnerable to flooding throughout Northeast Georgia, and this is not the only problem. “There’s also a very big issue with regards to flooding as well. So flooding and…