Sustainability @ Home is an Instagram challenge to promote sustainable living while University of the Pacific is in a distance learning environment.

“It’s about people making small changes in what they think and do. Just find one thing you can change and continue changing, not just for this week but as a lifestyle change,” said Kelsey Smith, Pacific’s sustainability coordinator.

The challenge will be held Oct. 19–25. To participate, follow @sustainingpacific16 on Instagram.

For each daily challenge, post pictures and tag @sustainingpacific16. Every post counts as an entry for a raffle to win prizes, including a Hydroflask. If you complete all seven days of the challenge, you will receive seven additional raffle entries.

Students, faculty and staff on all three Pacific campuses can participate. 

Smith said social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok and YouTube provide examples of what you can do for sustainability at home. The impact grows when users “share what you learn with your friends. Let people know what you’re doing and try to get others to do the same,” Smith said.

Smith further emphasized the importance of a focus on sustainability amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We all have to be in this together. Despite the fact that the pandemic has reduced travel around the world, we’re still creating emissions every day that cause climate change and we need to be doing everything we can to fight that,” Smith said.

The current virtual learning environment has inspired Smith to focus on improving the sustainability of the Pacific community’s home lives.

“We want people to be able to have fun and do something so that they’re thinking a little more about the sustainability of their own lives rather than just the sustainability of Pacific,” Smith said.

The suspension of in-person events on campus has shifted the Sustainability Department’s focus to preparing materials such as digital sustainable living guides and waste management training videos.

Check out other upcoming sustainability event:

·       Composting and Vermicomposting with Nick Tamayo on Oct. 22