the university of connecticut is next in line to create a new green athletics program, currently developing in the office of sustainability, which partners with uconn athletics for zero-waste and educational initiatives.

a team effort

green athletics will be a program where institutions leverage their high-profile athletic programs and events to improve campus sustainability and engage their community with sustainability challenges and solutions. this program’s guidelines are provided by the association for the advancement of sustainability in higher education, or aashe.

the proposal will be delivered to stakeholders including the uconn student-athlete advisory committee (saac), athletic staff, and different sustainability organizations across campus. intern sydney seldon, a sophomore environmental science major, is leading the development of the proposal to elevate this partnership. a request to present in the near future has been sent to saac, but a date has not been set.

“we would address the progress we’ve already made in some of these areas and also address the progress that still needs to be made,” seldon said.

the office of sustainability’s creation of a green athletics program will contribute to the university’s 2020 vision for campus sustainability and climate leadership. it is significant that athletics capitalizes on this vision because of its large audience and presence on campus. “this is important at uconn because it can not only achieve the goals that uconn has already set but also provides the opportunity for the restoration and reform of the many communities that have supported uconn for generations,” seldon said.

the proposal consists of different criteria provided by aashe. it includes zero-waste athletic events, community engagement, and an athletic team certification program. green game day is an event already implemented that puts uconn on track to create the program.

making green athletics part of the tradition

since 2008, uconn athletics and the office of sustainability have held a green game day every season for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball. “between our areas, we have a group of volunteers who staff a table at these games to engage fans on recycling and sustainable living,” said tysen kendig, vice president of communications for uconn athletics. “we also do special programming during the game on the video boards to promote recycling, and some trivia and facts provided by the sustainability office that is interspersed during the game.”

the green game days at gampel pavilion in 2020 qualified as carbon neutral because offsets were purchased to mitigate emissions caused by the games. college athletics generate emissions in many ways such as building operations, travel, waste processing, landscaping, and more. according to the harvard law school climate solutions living lab, an example of an annual emission inventory for a university athletics department is 6,800 tonnes co2. building operations and landscaping make up 77% of those emissions.

green game day events are held at gampel pavilion and pratt & whitney stadium in east hartford. at the last green game day football game on sept. 10, seldon and other volunteers went to the tailgates and collected recyclables. because the stadium only supplies attendees with trashcans as waste receptacles, the volunteers had to supply recycling bins and actively direct fans toward them. although pratt & whitney stadium is not uconn’s property, seldon wants to create a more permanent relationship.

“it takes a lot of communication and relationship building, but that’s a goal in order to get more permanent recycling bins and educational signage there,” seldon said.

seldon hopes to follow in the footsteps of many other universities such as the university of miami, which has successfully implemented a green athletics program. the university of southern california is another example of a program with recent success. during the 2021-22 seasons, usc won the pac-12 zero waste challenge in football and basketball by diverting over 90% of game-day waste from landfills, according to the usc athletics website.

“they’ve done amazing things with their athletic programs. of course, usc and umass lowell … recently joined the green sports alliance. so, we hope to look to these other schools for inspiration and guidance,” seldon said.

building a sustainable game day

seldon plans to incorporate waste-diversion rates and tracking in the proposal. currently, the office of sustainability does not have access to this information. “uconn does not organize its waste in terms of how much waste gampel produces or how much the ice hockey arena produces,” seldon said. “everything goes to the same trash bins so it’s hard to track how much waste gampel normally produces.”

while the green athletics program is just now developing, there are other criteria under aashe that uconn previously established. a green building rating system, leed, was adopted in 2016 to ensure sustainable practices are used during the planning, design, and construction of uconn buildings costing more than $5 million. uconn leed projects receive a rating of either certified, silver, gold or platinum based on various points earned across several categories. features that contribute to a rating can include energy-saving windows, low-flow faucets, high-performance insulation, and the use of renewable and recycled materials.

in the proposal, seldon says that the new toscano family ice forum will be leed certified. buildings on campus already leed-recognized are the burton-shenkman football complex and basketball practice facility. according to uconn’s office of sustainability, the football complex has dual-flush toilets, lockers made from recycled content, green-label carpet, and 89% of its construction waste was recycled.

the proposal includes plans to provide more sustainable vendor options, like using compostable containers in the stadiums. although, these plans do present challenges for uconn athletics during their efforts to reduce spending. sustainable products used in concessions and vendors would be more expensive.

“being greener is a worthwhile and important endeavor, so we continue to work with vendors on cost-effective options to provide a more environmentally friendly fan environment,” kendig said.

student-athlete engagement is an important component of the green athletics mission. the program strives to promote climate leadership at uconn and get student-athletes involved as much as possible.

“we want to provide athletes an opportunity to get involved in things that they may really care about or maybe haven’t even heard of,” seldon said. “there are really good discussions going on between athletes, the student body and organizations who are involved in this kind of work.”

the connecticut veterinary medical diagnostic laboratory (cvmdl) recently identified a domestic case of the rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 (rhdv2) in the state. the cvmdl is part of the university of connecticut’s college of agriculture, health and natural resources.

dr. guillermo risatti, the director of the cvmdl, oversaw the lab’s identification of rhdv2.

“whenever there is an outbreak – in this case a significant die-off of rabbits – most likely what happened is that the owner called the vet, the vet saw it as an unusual event and let the state know,” risatti said. “then the lab jumps in and has to conduct a foreign animal disease investigation.”

a spreading crisis

dr. emily reinhardt is an associate director of the cvmdl and an assistant clinical professor of veterinary pathology at the university of connecticut, or uconn. she added that the cvmdl had been monitoring regional cases of rhdv2 before the first case in connecticut was brought to the lab for identification in september.

“it’s been informally on the radar of the lab for a while,” reinhardt said.

as risatti mentioned, the identified case of rhdv2 was sent to the cvmdl because a significant number of rabbits in a domestic population died in a short amount of time.

“dr. lewis, the state veterinarian, reached out to us to let us know the virus had been identified in new jersey and that we should be on high alert,” reinhardt said. “soon after, she submitted to us the domestic case that was diagnosed as positive.”

according to reinhard, the symptoms of rhdv2 are easily identifiable.

“the classic sign is the bloody nose,” reinhard said. “the rabbit just dies suddenly, and often has a bloody nose.”

according to the usda, the blood-stained nose is from internal bleeding that the virus causes. infected rabbits may also develop a fever, be hesitant to eat or show signs of nervousness or respiratory issues.

part of the concern over the disease is that rhdv2 is extremely contagious and often fatal to infected rabbits, reinhardt said.

“it’s a more infectious variant of the classic rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus; the fatality rates are higher and it targets a wider age range of rabbit than the classic variation,” reinhardt said. “there is a higher threat to wild species with this variation; it’s more dangerous.”

wild rabbit populations already fragile

much of the current concern regarding rhdv2 is the possibility of the disease entering connecticut’s wild rabbit population, reinhardt said. “the risk to connecticut’s wild rabbit population relates to the disease’s high fatality rate.”

rhdv2 could also remain in the wild rabbit population as a reservoir, and perpetuate a cycle of transmission between wild and domestic populations, reinhardt said. “it can be transmitted on fur, wood, animal droppings or urine, shoes or by pets, so there is risk to any domestic rabbit with access to an outside area.”

other experts already had concerns regarding the state’s wild rabbit populations before the identification of rhdv2 in connecticut.

chadwick rittenhouse, ph.d., is an assistant professor in residence in the department of natural resources and the environment at uconn who has done extensive research on wild rabbit populations in the state.

there are two species of wild rabbit in connecticut – the eastern cottontail rabbit and the new england cottontail rabbit, rittenhouse said in an interview. the new england cottontail is native, whereas the eastern cottontail is invasive. population numbers for the new england cottontail are already low, rittenhouse said.

“the new england cottontail’s range is being overtaken by the eastern cottontail,” rittenhouse said. “they are very indistinguishable from each other, often we have to look at genetic information to tell the two apart or identify the species of a specific rabbit.”

in 2015 the new england cottontail was not considered an endangered species despite relatively low population numbers, rittenhouse said. he says that now rhdv2’s rapid spread poses a greater threat to the new england cottontail species.

“so there is huge concern over this disease,” rittenhouse said. “we know it can pretty much decimate a population, quite literally reduce it to one-tenth of its original size, as it did in the southwestern united states and a few other places.”

low population numbers for the new england cottontail rabbit mean that if the often-fatal rhdv2 disease gets into connecticut’s wild rabbit population, it could lead to extinction.

“if rabbit hemorrhagic disease wipes out a large proportion of the new england cottontail population, and there are not enough of them left to repopulate, it could be the end of the species in the wild,” rittenhouse said.

the threat of extinction

this threat of extinction also has negative implications for other populations in the connecticut ecosystem, he said.

“rabbits are food for other species in the food chain,” rittenhouse said. “if we snap a finger and all the rabbits are gone, their predators will have to switch prey, and therefore put pressure on other populations.”

these extinctions of one population in a food chain are often due to the effects of climate change. and extinctions don’t just impact one species – they disrupt the entire food chain and surrounding ecosystem, experts say.

still, extinction threatens many animal and plant species each year. mark urban, a biologist and associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at uconn, highlighted the importance of reducing extinction rates and maintaining biodiversity.

“i think it’s a mistake that we just monitor species and populations to extinction,” urban said. “we need to do something about it, rather than just watching them decline.”

but experts say that there are limited outcomes for rhdv2 and connecticut’s rabbit populations at the moment.

miranda davis, ph.d., a wildlife ecologist and assistant professor in residence in the ecology and evolutionary biology department at uconn, said the spread of rhdv2 to the wild rabbit population could be devastating.

“when we get a novel disease or disease variant introduced to a system, oftentimes the host species have very little resistance,” davis said. “this is particularly true if the host species is a dense population, like rabbits, and the disease can easily spread like wildfire.”

according to davis, the hope regarding most threatening diseases is that they become endemic, like the flu in the human population.

“there isn’t necessarily a way to entirely get rid of it, but it also doesn’t kill individuals at a high enough rate to wipe itself out,” davis said. “the population just has to deal with it.”

a proactive solution

experts say a large part of preventing extinctions via novel diseases relates to disease identification. this work is done in labs like the cvmdl.

risatti explained that the cvmdl is a member of the united states department of agriculture’s national animal health laboratory network. one of the lab’s main goals is to respond to disease events such as this one quickly.

while rhdv2 has not been identified in connecticut’s wild rabbit populations yet – the only positively identified case in the state was in domestic rabbits – the threat of this happening remains. and rhdv2 is likely too fatal to hold out hope for reaching an endemic level, rittenhouse said.

“the best solution we know of right now is the vaccine,” said rittenhouse, referring to the rhdv2 vaccine available from europe. state agencies are looking at getting this vaccine to where it is needed in connecticut, before the disease reaches the state’s wild rabbit populations.

“it’s not feasible to catch and administer a vaccine to all the wild rabbits in connecticut, but we can give it to our contained or domestic rabbit populations as a start,” rittenhouse said.

there is another more horrifying threat that, like public speaking, shocks many of us into immobilization: climate change. however, despite the power of big oil money and corrupt politicians, and the current climate trends, there is something that gives me a surge of optimism and energy: younger generations.

i went on stage during cop26 to discuss a program that sparks hope in me, the youth environmental alliance in higher education, or yeah. this group connects students around the world to work together on small projects which focus on education, empowerment, and excitement. this year, i have been working in the module team, which is a group of students that creates modules, or google slides, that contain detailed lessons on each of the target goals within a single un sustainable development goal, or sdg. these lessons are free to download, making this education accessible to anyone. the yeah program also meets via an online, international class where students work together to create a project that will assist in one of the sdg goals, so we turn education into real world action. the work the students in this program do is a continuous reminder that there is hope.

on the panel alongside me were two other yeah fellows, alexis pascaris and jacob genuise, who explained optimism to the audience. as they spoke, i realized i was confronting my own pessimism there at the cop. for years, i had seen cop as an honest attempt at diplomats gathering to negotiate to fairly create a better future and hold each other accountable. speaking inside the blue zone, where only those equipped with special passes could be present as protests centering the excluded rightfully raged outside, i felt fully present in cop’s reality––a reality in which cop is essentially a greenwashing science fair where everyone knows the right words to say but very few have action to back it up. they may have small demonstrations, but are they willing to take the challenging steps to make change?

even at that moment, as i sat behind a giant definition of the word “optimism,” my expectations for a massive cop26 climate pact were at ground level. but i do not lack optimism. i lack faith in the present leaders of the world, not the next ones. the youth are paying attention, they want to act. what they need is mobilization and education, excitement and empowerment. this is why something so small, like creating sdg modules, gives me hope. i know that i am contributing to educating young people on what must be done to confront the greatest challenges of our time. participating in yeah means being connected to an international network of students from every career background who care deeply about making a difference, and that is enough inspiration to make me optimistic about our future. 

–––

name: brandon hermoza-ricci

field(s) of study: civil engineering with a minor in urban & community studies

hometown: port chester, new york 

why cop?: “my attendance at cop is based in my fondness to be a part of a new generation of engineers designing sustainable cities. historically cities in the us have used a car-centric model created by a social construct meant to divide marginalized communities from white affluence through highways, economic structures, and gerrymandering. i am keen to listen to the voices of these advocates from marginalized community who have for so long been excluded from conversations that directly affect their ways of life. when this conference ends, i hope to take with me the words of these advocates as i consider how to positively rethink what a city is, which will house 80% of global population density by 2050, so that it is welcoming to all and continues to drive the ingenuity that urban centers have produced throughout human history.”

name: amisha paul

field(s) of study: physiology & neurobiology and economics with minors in global studies and anthropology of global health 

hometown: southington, connecticut

why cop?: “climate change has an incredibly large impact on the health of our communities, and its disproportionate impact exacerbates health inequity. i went to cop26 hoping to learn more about the impact of climate change on health, experiencing what international conversations in this space look like, and better preparing myself to advocate for climate action for human health to my local and national leaders.”

name: chase mack

field(s) of study: environmental science and political science

hometown: haddam, connecticut

why cop?: “cop offers some of the most up-to-date information regarding the climate crisis. that information is of immeasurable value to developing both my future career plans and providing the proper tools to have productive dialogue with my family, peers, and neighbors. moreover, the atmosphere that cop attracts, especially outside of the convention, elevates voices that typically are not heard, and their proximity enables our cohort to convey them back home.”

name: neha sistu

field(s) of study: molecular and cellular biology and global health 

hometown: acton, massachusetts

why cop?: “as a global health major, understanding the relationship between climate change and health equity is incredibly important. at cop i was able to see so many amazing health organizations including the who present on climate action and health action!”

name: duygu ozcan

field(s) of study: business management

hometown: mansfield, connecticut, originally from turkey

why cop?: “i wanted to join uconn’s cop26 program to represent the community of business students who want to bring climate action to the corporate world. to achieve results, we all need to collaborate regardless of our professions or backgrounds.”

name: amanda pastore

field(s) of study: ecology and evolutionary biology

hometown: prospect, connecticut

why cop?: “i understand climate science, but i do not understand climate policy or how it is created. i went to cop to learn what the world is doing as well as the perspectives of various peoples on that action/ lack of action.”

name: sena wazer

field(s) of study: environmental studies

hometown: storrs, connecticut

why cop?: “as a 17-year-old climate activist from connecticut, i am passionate about seeing action at the scale of the crisis we face, and action that centers those most vulnerable to the climate crisis. although cop26 has many issues with accessibility and equity, i attended because it was an incredible opportunity to observe the global negations, which are in many ways deciding both our present and future, as well as make our voices heard in speaking up for what is right.”

name: neha sistu

field(s) of study: molecular and cellular biology and global health 

hometown: acton, massachusetts

why cop?: “as a global health major, understanding the relationship between climate change and health equity is incredibly important. at cop i was able to see so many amazing health organizations including the who present on climate action and health action! “

name: musa hussain

field(s) of study: political science and sociology

hometown: new haven, connecticut

takeaway from cop: “i have learned a lot at cop, but one thing in particular has been my realization that there are multiple perspectives in the climate movement. it is imperative that elected officials, climate scientists, and other figures who largely come from the global north, follow the lead of indigenous groups and voices from the global south who have been at the forefront of the climate justice movement since it began.”

name: lindsay alfano

field(s) of study: law (j.d. candidate 2022)

hometown: greenwich, connecticut

why cop?: “i attended cop26 to gain exposure to diverse cultures, innovative research, and promising policies about climate change in order to be a successful future advocate for those most impacted. the conference will provide me the tools to strengthen my voice within the field and start me on the path to help make serious change in the climate movement.”

name: nidhi nair

field(s) of study: economics & mathematics-statistics

hometown: farmington, connecticut

why cop?:“growing up in a fishing town in india exposed me to the terrible effects of climate change at a young age and that experience influenced my decision to study economics to learn more about the interconnection between climate justice and economic inclusion. cop has given me the amazing opportunity to learn about global climate change and the immense strides being made to resolve the crisis.”

name: khadija shaikh

field(s) of study: environmental studies with a minor in social justice organizing

hometown: charlotte, nc

why cop?: “i attended cop26 to connect with other climate activists, especially those who have marginalized identities just as i do. being an intersectional environmentalist with identities that make me an ‘other’ has been extremely isolating, so i want to meet others who have similar backgrounds as mine (an indian muslim woman who chooses to wear hijab) to form a community that empowers and supports each other during our necessary and tiring work.”

name: michio agresta 

field(s) of study: natural resources and environment with minors in spanish & human rights 

hometown: burlington, connecticut

takeaway from cop: “a major takeaway that i have gained from my experience at cop26 is that there is a lot of negative sentiment towards the conference from grassroots and indigenous organizations that believe these negotiations will not end in real and meaningful change. i have been attending many side events hosted in various locations throughout glasgow called the ‘people’s summit for climate justice’ with panels, workshops, and artistic events. these gatherings showcase the sentiment of grassroots organizers, leaders of nonprofits, and many others who believe the real change has to come from the people and frontline defenders and not the system that has continuously failed the global society.”

name: maizey mabrysmith

field(s) of study: environmental studies

hometown: columbia, connecticut

why cop?: “i (was) at cop to attain a global perspective on pressing climate issues to better understand the structures that underlie the decision-making process.” 

name: lily forand

field(s) of study: political science 

hometown: west hartford, connecticut

why cop?: “cop26 has really opened my eyes to the idea of community centered solutions to climate change. of course, we need regulations and protections to come from the federal government in order to combat this crisis. however, i was reminded this week that what is implemented in a community should not only be specific to their needs, but should actually be led up and generated by the community. as one panelist put it, ‘we need empowerment, not solutions.'”