Research Focal Area: Food Security

Re-use Efficiency Packaging with Analytics for Customized Knowledge (REPACK)

One of the major sustainability challenges present today is the waste that accompanies packaging, usually corrugated cardboard, from the increased prevalence of online purchasing. However, since the average corrugate box contains only 50% recycled materials, half of the fiber must still be produced anew each time a package is shipped. Moreover, online ordering leads to smaller, more frequent “one off” orders which requires more packaging compared to the bulk orders that are sent to big-box, brick-and-mortar stores and then resold. Given these factors, reusing packaging materials is more efficient than recycling. This project will explore the development of a label designed to track reused packaging, investigate means to drive supply chain adoption, and explore how branding affects community participation, thus improving the sustainability of the growing e-commerce industry.

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Women, Population, and the Environment

The WPE’s mission was to promote the status of women globally through education and dissemination of applied knowledge on the challenging issues of the times, such as climate change, food shortage and health. Knowledge and education will enable and empower women to make informed decisions for themselves, their family and society.

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Crops for Health

This is a unique transdisciplinary research program the goal of which is to improve the disease prevention characteristics of food crops, thereby reducing chronic disease morbidity and mortality. The focus of the program is on the major staple crops of the world’s population: dry beans, corn, potatoes, rice, and wheat. Specialty crops are also investigated. The Crops For Health program deals with problems at the interface of agriculture and human health, and one critical step to assist with developing sustainable solutions to these global problems will be the Crops for Health Research Working Groups.

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Scaling up CSU’s Center for Science Communication: Enhancing Interdisciplinarity to Communicate about Science and Sustainability

Confronting today’s most pressing global scientific and sustainability issues, we are faced with the added burden of polarized political, media, and public spheres. To address this challenge, this GCRT will develop and demonstrate interdisciplinary opportunities for the study and practice of science communication and the role of information in decision-making among members of the CSU community. Existing groups on CSU’s campus are engaging in both informal and formal science communication activities, including a Center for Science Communication in the Department of Journalism and Media Communication, as well as projects funded through federal- and university-sponsored grants and cooperative agreements. The GCRT will collaboratively pursue the development of a more formal University-wide center for science communication-related activities.

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EcoDistrict Urban Resiliency Metrics

This research team developed standardized measures and collected baseline data to create a scientifically rigorous set of metrics for the EcoDistrict Framework, which was eventually tested in the City of Fort Collins to help the City realize its climate neutrality, resource reduction, and healthy community goals.

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Environmental Justice

This research team explored how and why Equity and Environmental Justice are important elements of the study of the environment, public health, and sustainability at CSU.

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Environmental Justice and Sustainability in the Anthropocene

This team has grown the environmental justice community at CSU in their efforts to explore how and why equity and environmental justice are important elements of the study of the environment, public health, and sustainability. In 2016-17 they put on a symposium on “Environmental Justice and Sustainability in the Anthropocene” highlighting transdisciplinary and international research, and develop an Environmental Justice Workshop Training Series.

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