Sustainability Events

How can we measure impact in complex, global scale projects that grapple with climate change, terrorism, human rights, public health, or energy transitions? Traditional evaluation, in terms of standardized goals, rigid models and constraining rules, often impedes leadership and adaptability when we are responding to a rapidly changing world. Mechanistic...

Arizona Microgreens, founded by brothers Joseph Martinez and David Redwood, produces organically-grown microgreens for individuals and restaurants throughout Arizona. Located within the greenhouse at the Brooks Community School, Arizona Microgreens operates as a social enterprise that creates employment opportunities for the local community and contributes to the financial...

In addition to the Urban Garden Talk with Arizona Microgreens, we will offer a tour of the greenhouse where the microgreens are produced. Microgreens are vegetables and herbs grown for just a few weeks, and Arizona Microgreens uses an organic and natural process on their crops. The microgreens...

Vijay Paranjpye's career has focused on social, economic and ecological impacts of development, water-resource planning. A keen mountaineer, he is deeply involved in advocacy and public interest litigation for nature conservation.

The Indus River Valley supplies water for one-third of the population living in Tibet (China), Pakistan, parts of Afghanistan,...

In this talk, Christopher Frettoloso will introduce BetR-Blok, LLC, an alternative building material that is affordable and sustainable, as well discuss the benefits and barriers for industry acceptance. In addition, experts Scott Cloutier, Deirdre Pfeiffer, and Joanna Lucio will offer...

John Hofmeister is a business leader who has participated in the inner workings of multiple industries for over 35 years. He retired from Shell Oil Company in 2008 to found and head the nationwide nonprofit group, Citizens for Affordable Energy. This public-policy education firm promotes sound energy...

Wayne Pacelle leads the nation’s largest and most effective animal-protection organization. He has helped pass more than 1,000 state laws to advance the organization’s mission and negotiated agreements with dozens of the nation’s biggest corporations from McDonald’s to Armani. Pacelle is a New York Times bestselling author who...

Tracey Martin is a renowned public speaker on sustainability in the fashion industry. She has founded three successful ecologically responsible clothing and accessory brands. Her latest project involves changing the way we dye textiles. Frustrated with the lack of transparency in the current "organic/low impact" dye process, she decided...

Elysa Hammond is the founder of Clif Bar's sustainability program and leads the company’s efforts to reduce their environmental impact, create a green-powered supply chain, achieve zero waste and grow support for organic, sustainable food systems.


In this talk, Elysa will discuss the development of Clif Bar’s unique five-aspiration...

George Denise, an advocate for sustainability and high-performance building operations, has been instrumental in 26 LEED certifications, 17 at the platinum level. He and/or the buildings under his management have also been the recipients of many awards, including the Building Owners and Managers Association’s International Earth Award, CoreNet...

Anna Cummins brings her 20 years of sustainability education, passion, and adventure to solving the plastic-pollution crisis.

In this talk, Anna will share the current state of plastic pollution in the world's oceans based on 5 Gyres' original research and engage the ASU community in getting...

David McNeil has led Tempe's industrial pretreatment, stormwater, cross-connection, environmental-monitoring, environmental regulatory compliance, and grease-cooperative programs for nearly two decades.

McNeil is most known for his award-winning work on the Tempe Grease Cooperative (TGC), an innovative green partnership with the restaurants in Tempe to better manage their fats, oils, and grease...

In addition to her work with HSUS, Kristie Middleton is the author of the forthcoming book, MeatLess: Transform the Way You Eat and Live—One Meal at a Time. She has partnered with the nation’s biggest school districts—including Los Angeles, Detroit, and Boston—to implement plant-based initiatives such as Meatless Mondays.

A growing...

In addition to the Urban Garden Pool Talk, we will offer a tour of Mr. McClung's Garden Pool. The Garden Pool is a federally recognized international public nonprofit charity dedicated to research and education of sustainable ways to grow food. Mr. McClung will take you through the...

In 2009, Dennis McClung bought his first home in Mesa; it came with a big, broken pool. He converted the empty pool into a closed-loop, food-producing urban greenhouse. In the process, he inspired a community and created a nonprofit organization dedicated to researching and teaching sustainable ways of growing food.

In...