Vandy Leads the Way in Music City
As spring begins to stretch its green fingers across Nashville, there’s a sense of renewal in the air—dogwoods blooming, music humming from every street corner, and a vibrant energy pulsing through Vanderbilt University’s campus. Nestled in the heart of Music City, Vanderbilt has become a beacon for sustainability and climate action in the South, demonstrating how institutions can drive real change.
The university powers its entire campus with renewable energy through a collaborative agreement with the TVA Green Invest Program, which offsets their electricity consumption with solar power.
Their FutureVU Sustainability initiative has led to the creation of green roofs, bike-friendly infrastructure, and robust zero-waste goals. From divesting its endowment from fossil fuels to achieving carbon neutrality for Scope 1 emissions, Vanderbilt continues to show what bold, institutional commitment to environmental justice looks like in practice.
Tovar lectures on Environmental Justice
Dr. Zdravka Tzankova
Diego Tovar, Director of Campus and Civic Engagement, began his visit with two guest lectures in the Foundations of Climate Studies classes, generously hosted by Dr. Zdravka Tzankova. Speaking to a room full of engaged students, he shared the transformative opportunity offered by the Rachel Carson Council National Environment Leadership Fellowship (NELF)—a program designed to deepen advocacy, research, and community impact. The lecture sparked powerful conversations around potential project ideas, the role of local organizing, and how grassroots efforts can ripple into national change. Tovar encouraged students to see themselves as storytellers, reminding them of Rachel Carson’s legacy and the importance of embedding narrative into climate policy to build truly intersectional solutions.
Cumberland River
Over lunch with faculty and students, Diego continued conversations around campus climate projects and ways to elevate student research and engagement. Later, he ventured out to see the Cumberland River, a lifeline that cuts through Nashville, and took time to explore the Tennessee State Capitol grounds. The visit served as a reminder of why grassroots organizing and student advocacy are so essential. It was a moment to reflect on the courage it takes to speak truth in difficult places—and the power of young people to shift narratives.
The afternoon closed with a lively Q&A session co-hosted by SPEAR (Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility) and the Climate & Environmental Studies Department. Students from a wide range of majors gathered to discuss advocacy, learn more about fellowship opportunities, understand pathways to environmental careers, and exchange ideas for projects that could spark meaningful change both on and off campus in partnership with the RCC.
Finally, the day ended with dinner alongside faculty where the spirit of collaboration and purpose was undeniable. Vanderbilt University officially became the 80th member of the Rachel Carson Campus Network, marking an exciting new chapter of partnership and possibility.
