Rector Franco Bartolacci together with the director of the Matías de Bueno Environmental Observatory presented the 2022-2025 Environmental Sustainability Plan and established the Rosario University Center as a self-sufficient space in terms of energy and good environmental practices.
The Comprehensive Environmental Program for the next three years that was presented in Siberia consists of multiple interventions in terms of trees, solar panels, sustainable mobility, a plastic and paper recovery and recycling program, and the UNR compost bin. "We want Siberia to become a space for good practices in environmental matters that allows us to reproduce that experience and that this spreads to other actions on which we have to advance in Rosario and the region," said Bartolacci.
“The world is showing dramatic signs of exhaustion. The Public University has a great responsibility in generating greater commitment in society and the State for the preservation of the environment. There we contribute with all our production of knowledge and in parallel with the environmental agenda that the city and the region need”, he expressed.
The Rector recognized that there is also a responsibility of the University inwards "helping to mitigate the impact that our own activity generates on the environment." In this sense, "the plan that we present will be a first experience that we aspire to consolidate in other areas of the University."
During the presentation, ten trees were planted in the square of the Faculty of Psychology, 50 citrus fruits were distributed among the university community, plastic, electronic and paper waste was collected to be exchanged for seedlings, solar panels and lights were exhibited and a skate was raffled electricity and biodegradable leather backpacks with built-in solar panels to charge cell phones.
Sustainable actions
In the next three years, a series of environmental sustainability actions will be carried out through various programs. Some that were already being worked on, such as “A Tree, a Graduate”, “Arbolar UNR” and “E-Reciclar UNR” and others that will begin to be implemented.
"Solar UNR" has the purpose of establishing solar energy production equivalent to the total consumption of the CUR, both with panels, as well as by replacement of public lighting and thermal energy for showers. E-Logistica UNR aims for electric vehicles to provide the task of loading materials to be recycled at the University. E-Ecomov UNR is the first acquisition program by the university community of 2-wheel electric vehicles with a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Ecorecuplas is a program in association with NGOs in the sector to recover discarded plastics and recycle them in pots for UNR nurseries. EcoPapel aims at the recovery of products and by-products until the definitive elimination of paper by the University from its digitization program. While "La Compostera.UNR" is a project for the collection of organic waste from the dining rooms and offices of the University and its transformation into compost for nurseries.
UNR Commitment
It should be noted that the Universidad Nacional de Rosario was selected by the United Nations to coordinate topic 2021 on climate action, belonging to the United Nations Academic Impact Initiative (UNAI), for the period 2024-13.
In this sense, it is a priority to implement measures to reduce the so-called greenhouse gas. Among these actions is mentioned a greater commitment of the institutions in the fight against climate change, reflect on the impact of CO2 emissions, carry out sustainable mobility, reduce the use of private cars, support the consumption of renewable energy, promote efficiency energy, having a diet with a low carbon footprint, being a sustainable consumer, planting trees, betting on local products.
Sustainability is not only linked to the environment, it is also related to the social and economic aspects, forming the three pillars that aim to guarantee the integrity of the planet and improve the quality of life.
" Universidad Nacional de Rosario It requires taking a leap towards a future in this sense, not only as an intention but as a firm and continuous process in that direction. The care of our environment depends on a change in individual consciousness, collective actions and institutional decisions,” highlighted Franco Bartolacci.
Journalist: Victoria Arrabal / Photographer: Pablo Correa