The University of Guam is at the forefront of global leadership in island sustainability. UOG recently launched the Guam Green Growth (G3) Initiative to develop solutions to sustainability challenges and contribute to a green economy for the island region. Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero signed Executive Order 2019-23, designating CIS as the coordinator of a G3 Working Group to bring academic, government, private sector, and non-profit partners together to transition Guam toward a sustainable future. Guam, through G3, participates as a founding member of the Local2030 Islands Network to advance the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in locally and culturally effective ways. UOG leverages regional and global partners — the Global Island Partnership, Global Consortium for Sustainability Outcomes, Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, and the Pacific Community — to accelerate sustainability solutions. 

The G3 Initiative develops sustainability solutions and contributes to a green economy for the island. G3 kicked off in 2019 with a $10,000 grant from the Global Consortium for Sustainability Outcomes. UOG is working with Kamehameha Schools in Hawai’i and Arizona State University to stimulate island circular economy industries. The circular economy cuts waste and reuses materials while lessening the burden on natural resources. Circular economy workshops were held in Guam and Hawaii where business owners, entrepreneurs, and business liaisons received a crash course on the benefits of a regenerative island economic model. 

UOG Green: The University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability promotes campus sustainability efforts, in partnership with the student organization UOG Green Army, through recycling, single-use plastic reduction, and green gardens, among other initiatives. The center has UOG Green reusable products for purchase so you can go green and support campus sustainability initiatives! Visit https://give.uog.edu/donate/donate-to-the-center-for-island-sustainability/ to get some metal straws, bamboo spoons, canvas bags, and more! 

The Guam Restoration of Watersheds (GROW) Initiative develops innovative solutions to reduce land erosion and subsequent sedimentation on downstream coral reefs. The GROW team conducts outreach to thousands in the community through watershed tours to raise awareness of land-sea interactions. Innovations include using drones, off-road vehicles, and seed sling stones to plant trees! Partners include UOG Sea Grant, Guam EPSCoR, Guam Southern & Northern Soil & Water Conservation Districts, and United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service 

Funding from the National Science Foundation’s Inclusion across the Nation of Communities of Learners ofUnderrepresented Discoverers in Engineering and Science (NSF INCLUDES) Pilot: Growing STEM program helped increased STEM capacity building efforts for local students in 2018 and 2019. The program included internship and research opportunities to high school students and college undergraduate and graduate students over the summer. NSF INCLUDES also hosted a science fair that counts as a qualifier for the highly competitive Intel International Science and Engineering Fair. As part of a natural partnership with hubs in Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, NSF recently awarded UOG with $2.3 million as part of the NSF INCLUDES: SEAS Island Alliance, that will provide more opportunities to bridge island students to advanced STEM degrees. 

CIS, along with UOG Sea Grant and Guam EPSCoR, hosts special courses on traditional navigation and climate change adaptation with Master Navigator Larry Raigetal of Lamotrek, Yap. In these courses, students learn traditional knowledge, celestial navigation, and canoe building. Raigetal’s course will continue with recent funding awarded by the National Sea Grant. Raigetal also was a keynote speaker of the 10th University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability.