Sustain AI Planet

Ep 09: Power of AI for Environmental Sustainability with UNC’s Cindy Shea

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"Sustainability is related to the policy choices we make, the investments we make, and what we do to care for the natural systems that support us," Says Cindy Shea, the Director of Sustainability at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC).

 

In this episode, your host, Dylan Singla, takes you on a journey alongside Cindy Shea, the visionary Director of Sustainability at the esteemed University of North Carolina Chapel Hill (UNC). 

 

Prepare to be immersed in a world of passion and innovation as Cindy Shea shares her remarkable background, blending economics, international relations, and environmental studies. This laid the foundation for her unwavering commitment to sustainability and led to her pivotal role as the founding director of the UNC Sustainability Office. 

 

Her vision ignited the establishment of similar offices across the UNC system, elevating the pursuit of sustainability in academia. Get ready to uncover UNC's ambitious mission to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and their bold strategies to harness renewable energy technologies and transition their cogeneration plant's fuel mix. This episode is a treasure trove of insight and inspiration for all sustainability enthusiasts.

 

This episode showcases the proactive sustainability efforts undertaken at UNC Chapel Hill, with Cindy Shea at the forefront of driving impactful change. From promoting high-performance buildings to empowering students to be sustainability champions, UNC is making significant strides towards achieving carbon neutrality and leaving a lasting positive impact on the planet.



Quotes

  • "Students who get interested in advancing sustainability, and develop the networks, and negotiate the decision-making process can make a huge impact."  (09:26 | Cindy Shea)
  • "Climate change is an existential crisis, and we need to deal with it as fast as possible." - (14:45 | Cindy Shea)
  • "If you're eating in the campus dining hall and they're doing composting, then your food waste is being turned into a soil amendment." (19:35 | Cindy Shea)
  • "I would take that hog waste, which is an environmental contaminant and a major problem, and I would capture the methane, turn it into pipeline-grade quality gas, and use that to fuel our cogeneration plant and other buildings around the state." (20:41 | Cindy Shea)

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    #SustainAIPlanet #SustainabilityPodcast #AIforGood #GreenerFuture #UNCChapelHillSustainability

     

    Links

    Connect with Cindy Shea:

    https://ie.unc.edu/people/cindy-shea/

    https://ie.unc.edu/



    Connect with Dylan:

    Website: https://www.sustainaiplanet.com




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    Sustain AI PlanetBy Dylan Singla