![At the CUIMC Earth Day celebration, Innovation Bike Shop offered free bike tune-ups.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=wSFdnoBK 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=M2dC6om5 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=xNwo6B4- 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=WbBxjQvI 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=utd0izwc 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=8hReKRoP 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=MPmB2UTK 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=75vLeRFD 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=nR05s_CB 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600_21_9/public/media/images/teaser/2023-05/cuimc_earth_day_celebration_haven_plaza-7400233_web.jpg?itok=7ZlGfdLH 1600w)
CUIMC Celebrates Earth Day on Haven Plaza
Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Washington Heights community celebrated Earth Day on Haven Plaza Friday, April 28. Jointly organized by CUIMC Facilities Management and Public Safety, the street fair highlighted sustainable transportation alternatives, paper and electronics shredding and recycling, information about Columbia’s sustainability efforts, and games and prizes.
The event coincided with Ride Your Bike to Work Day and offered free registration and electronic tattooing for bikes and electronic devices with Public Safety and the New York City Police Department, discounted bike locks for sale, and bike tuneups by Innovation Bike Shop.
![Columbia Public Safety offered free registration and electronic tattooing for bikes and electronic devices.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=9NhfDuhX 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=2HnboxsP 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=gB5qOLOf 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=UuWo0b3g 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=yj-7zbx_ 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=fmEwtT3H 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=hYi8FdHs 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=kKkAAGqu 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=2XOTwwfr 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_155.jpg?itok=q-Ium3Gr 1600w)
Columbia Public Safety offered free registration and electronic tattooing for bikes and electronic devices.
Leadership from CUIMC Facilities was on hand to offer information about sustainability initiatives on campus, including Plan 2030, a 10-year strategic plan that outlines sustainability goals for Columbia’s New York campuses to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The plan commits to campus-wide electrification and 100% renewable electricity, reducing commuter emissions and minimizing business travel, prioritizing sustainability in construction and design, and achieving zero waste.
“CUIMC has developed a comprehensive roadmap for the next two decades that aligns with Sustainable Columbia’s Plan 2030 goals,” says Jeet Viswanathan, director of energy management and sustainability for CUIMC Facilities Engineering.
![](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=5-KSxJLG 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=SQ3UsID_ 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=njmsmnzH 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=gkYbpgQS 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=9cv8_5sI 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=6EaCHvNP 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=2WnntHBF 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=VurVua8z 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=fCnktckM 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_552.jpg?itok=qmNZFzFQ 1600w)
Jeet Viswanathan, director of energy management and sustainability for CUIMC Facilities Engineering, talks with an Earth Day attendee about Plan 2030.
Community organizations GrowNYC, Papai’s Garden, and the Riverside Oval Association shared information about upcoming volunteer opportunities with their organizations. GrowNYC manages several farmer’s markets in New York City; Papai’s Garden is a community garden and resource for people with intellectual disabilities; and the Riverside Oval Association maintains Riverside Oval, a wild perennial garden on Riverside Drive at 156th Street that is partially funded by charitable initiatives at CUIMC and NewYork-Presbyterian.
![A representation from the Columbia Research Unit speaks with an Earth Day attendee about community research on infectious diseases.](https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_200/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=m80EmIUu 200w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_260/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=fyfcJeHz 260w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_320/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=96yDAenx 320w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_400/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=XSPPtgS- 400w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_520/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=SykHm9ak 520w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_640/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=7vISNpLG 640w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_800/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=5SOAFrKC 800w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1040/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=--0NXVmx 1040w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1280/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=6Xu8U63E 1280w, https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/styles/cola_media_1600/public/media/general/2023-05/earth_day_230428_170.jpg?itok=Xw8_wNc3 1600w)
A representative from the Columbia Research Unit speaks with an Earth Day attendee about community research on infectious diseases.
Despite slightly cooler-than-average temperatures, Viswanathan says it was encouraging to witness people take an interest in learning more about CUIMC’s efforts to create a sustainable campus.
“Events like Earth Day are great opportunities for the Facilities team to connect with our campus community and keep them up-to-date on our commitments and progress toward these initiatives,” Viswamathan says. “I look forward to making Earth Day an annual tradition here at CUIMC.”
For more information on CUIMC’s sustainability efforts, visit the CUIMC Facilities Management website.
References
Understanding Plan 2030
Learn more about Plan 2030, what it means for CUIMC, and ways members of the CUIMC community can help create a more sustainable campus. Watch the video.