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Students, SEPHA present home weatherization and campus climate resiliency week
Summary
University of South Carolina students described a home weatherization service day in the Meadowlake community and SEPHA outlined a college climate resiliency week featuring tree plantings, sustainable art and food-waste workshops.
Two student presenters and representatives of the South Carolina Public Health Association’s (SEPHA) environmental health section briefed the committee on community climate and resilience activities.
A University of South Carolina student described a home weatherization project that serviced six homes in the Meadowlake community (north Columbia) on Dec. 6. The student said volunteers (about 30) performed air-sealing measures — caulking windows and doors, installing weatherstripping and attic tents — and involved homeowners in the work so residents could replicate the measures. The presenter said the project resulted in immediate, visible reductions in draft through doors and that future work would focus on upgrading attic insulation if additional funds are available.
Beata DeWitt, representing the South Carolina Public Health Association, described a local college climate resiliency week that involved a Climate Café, a tree‑planting at Martin Luther King Park on election day (19 volunteers despite rain), a kitchen demonstration on food-waste prevention, a sustainable-art exhibit at the Columbia Museum of Art featuring interactive upcycling activities, and a Green Networking Breakfast with student and community speakers. DeWitt said about 45 students participated across events and that partners included the City of Columbia, University of South Carolina (Arnold School of Public Health and Office of Sustainability), Benedict College and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
Presenters requested continued support for student-led resilience programming and described plans to expand into additional neighborhoods and schools if further funding is secured.
