Stories

While the global climate crisis can feel daunting, this spring's Presidential Speakers Series event showed Catholic universities are uniquely positioned to educate students capable of addressing it in ways that will help care for what Pope Francis has called "our common home."

Gonzaga will welcome internationally recognized sustainability scholar Dr. Wayne Visser and Catholic University of Portugal leader Isabel Braga da Cruz for a panel discussion titled "Caring for Our Common Home: Turning Local Action Into Global Impact" April 8.

Terry Tempest Williams, one of the nation's most celebrated voices on nature, justice, and the human spirit, will visit Spokane on Tuesday, April 7, at 4 p.m. for a special event hosted by the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment in partnership with the Gonzaga Visiting Writer Series.

Spokane County's Commute SmartNW presented Gonzaga University with awards for supporting commute trip reduction efforts, helping to improve the health of the community.

Gonzaga University has earned a second consecutive STARS Gold rating in recognition of its dedication to improving sustainability from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

From groundbreaking research and AI innovation to student success and national recognition, Gonzaga University celebrates a year of academic excellence, Jesuit values and historic achievements-including joining the new Pac-12 Conference and establishing a Phi Beta Kappa chapter.

Gonzaga hosts the 7th Annual Climate Change Forum on October 1, featuring Spokane and Spokane Valley City Council candidates discussing climate policy.

Gonzaga Dance will kick off its 2025-2026 season with an educational showcase featuring Seattle choreographer and artistic director Karin Stevens and her company Karin Stevens Dance, presented in partnership with the Gonzaga Institute for Climate, Water, and the Environment.

Learn about the environmental cost of AI, including the electricity and water needed to power data centers, and the balance between innovation and sustainability.

Spokane's efforts to prepare for deadly heat waves face setbacks after the EPA terminated key climate resilience grants.

During Earth Month 2025, Gonzaga teamed up with The Lands Council to plant trees along Spokane Valley's Appleway Trail. About 75 students, faculty and staff helped plant 50 trees there to provide future shade along this hot corridor.

Gonzaga's Climate Literacy Fellows bring hands-on climate science lessons to Spokane K-8 classrooms, inspiring the next generation to understand and act on climate change.

Gonzaga University has been awarded Salmon-Safe certification from environmental organization Salmon-Safe, meaning the University's campus demonstrates a high level of environmental stewardship and will continue to do so into the future.

A new $675,000 grant from the Washington Department of Ecology awarded to the Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment in partnership with the City of Spokane and The Lands Council will help tackle local air pollution.

The Office of Sustainability is creating a new Climate Action Plan with hopes of incorporating community input.