Sustainable Carolina Podcast
The Intertwined Nature of Sustainability
As part of the UNC Research Community, we strive to share the ways innovation and discovery contribute to a more sustainable campus and community. Every month, a new, 20-minute episode of the Sustainable Carolina podcast comes out. Each episode features students, faculty, and staff making an impact. You can find episodes on Google, Spotify, and Apple podcasts.
Are you part of the Carolina community and interested in sharing your work on an episode? Send an email to sustainable@unc.edu.
Pilot Episode
Mike Piehler | 2021 Sustainability News
In the pilot episode of the Sustainable Carolina Podcast, recorded in May 2021, Mike Piehler discusses the creation of Sustainable Carolina and its new home within UNC Institute for the Environment. Piehler discusses the work that went into creating the
Climate Action Plan, along with its lengthy review process. Things wrap up with a discussion of the
Champion Sustainability Fund, a green revolving fund made possible by a gift from HanesBrands.
Season 1
Mike Piehler | Pursuing Sustainability Goals as a Collective
In 2022, the Sustainable Carolina Podcast returned for its first full season. Mike Piehler kicks things off talking about campus collaboration and partnerships. Piehler examines the progress made through the
Climate Action Plan and reviews key points from the
Water Plan. The episode concludes with strategies for students looking to get involved in sustainability-related research and organizations on campus.
UNC Eco-Concern Study Team | Understanding Climate Change Concerns & Eating Behaviors
Please note: This episode contains discussions around anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.
Some people make food choices based on carbon footprint, according to Melissa Munn-Chernoff of the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (CEED). After CEED Founding Director Cynthia Bulik approached Munn-Chernoff about a study to better understand the correlation between climate change and mental health, the Center started its Eco-Concern & Eating Behaviors Research Study.
David Gorelick | Finding Your Research Interests
Carolina Drone Lab | Finding Your Research Interests
The Carolina Drone Lab (CARDNL) is housed within the UNC Institute for the Environment. The program facilitates the use of drones and sensors, on campus and abroad, to further research and innovation. CARDNL Research Technician Peggy Mullin and her EcoStudio Intern Steve Yoon (’23) join this episode to talk all things CARDNL, along with a new project mapping UNC-Chapel Hill’s green roofs.
Melanie Elliott | Powering Carolina’s Energy Transition
When Melanie Elliott graduated from Carolina, she had no idea she’d be playing a big role in one of the University’s greatest challenges: achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. In this episode, she talks about tracking campus emissions, understanding the latest trends in the energy transition, and working with students to pass on knowledge (and excitement) about sustainability.
Alex Hopkins | Engaging Through the Energy Transition Initiative