Global ChangeIntersection of Nature and Culture

This week’s good ideas in campus sustainability: 11/9/09

Monday, November 9th, 2009

Let’s take a look at five innovative and exciting ideas from Stanford University, City College of New York,  Western Michigan University, UC-Davis, and the University of Arizona…

(1) Stanford moves aggressively to cut energy use, reduce carbon impact

For those of us who have worked through campus climate action plans, one of the hardest things to deal with is emissions from steam plants.  Stanford is trying to tackle this by starting with energy recapture and conservation.  Their plan is significant because it’s potentially transferable to other schools, especially in warmer climates that use heating and cooling at the same time.  And it focuses on conservation first—usually a smart and cost-effective approach.

Excerpts:

• In an effort to tackle the threat of global climate change head on, Stanford University has developed an ambitious, long-range, $250 million initiative to sharply reduce the university’s energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Changes outlined in the Energy and Climate Plan could reduce the campus carbon impact by as much as 20 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, far exceeding the aggressive goals of California’s landmark AB 32 Global Warming Solutions Act.
• Unexpectedly, they discovered that over half the university’s heating demands could be met with heat that is already being removed from buildings by the campus cooling system. Such a reuse of energy would cut the amount of natural gas burned for heating purposes dramatically, reducing energy costs as well as emissions of greenhouse gases.
• Reconfiguring the university’s heating and cooling scheme, despite the $250 million price tag, would save money over the next four decades. Energy, water, and other operating cost savings are expected to be about $639 million from 2010 to 2050, after repayment of the initial capital investment.
• The energy-reduction plan revolves around this fact: Campus cooling systems do their job by using chilled water to remove unwanted heat from buildings. For years, that unwanted heat has been piped away from the buildings in the form of warm water, only to be discharged into the air through evaporative cooling towers at the central plant.
• That’s enough spare heat to take care of half of the campus heating needs. The result is that much less natural gas would be burned to warm offices, classrooms, dormitories and laboratories.

(2) City College of New York to offer master program in sustainability in the urban environment

Another example of an institution breaking down traditional divides—in this case architecture, engineering, and science—in the name of curricular initiatives that provide meaningful sustainability training.  Their goals are important, but if there’s anything missing, it’s contributions from sociology and psychology.  These other frames will be key for linking people and the built environment.  Otherwise, there’s a risk that these programs will deliver myopic, techno-driven conceptions of sustainability that are blind to cultural disparities and needs.

Excerpts:

• The program’s core curriculum lays a foundation in sustainability values, strategies and metrics through coursework in urban and natural systems, environmental economics and industrial ecology.  It draws upon approaches such as ‘whole systems thinking’ and life cycle analysis to understand and evaluate complex urban eco-systems.
• An interdisciplinary capstone project, which requires teamwork and interchange among groups of architects, engineers and scientists, will develop experience with the processes and dynamics of integrated design.  Additionally, students will take electives in relevant advanced courses within architecture, engineering and science.
• Graduates will ultimately develop leadership and teamwork skills that will give them an advantage in diverse professional settings where interaction and collaboration among teams of scientists, engineers, architects and others are commonplace.

(3) Western Michigan University getting $1 million for green manufacturing

University-business relationships like this are terrific for showing how university leverage and resources can help the broader economy transition to a more-sustainable world.

Excerpts:

• WMU’s Green Manufacturing project draws upon existing research and development centers at the University. Faculty researchers and students will collaborate with area manufacturers, especially smaller businesses, to help them build greater energy efficiency into manufacturing processes and promote recycling of materials to further reduce costs. About 25 companies in Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Benton Harbor-St. Joseph, Grand Rapids and Muskegon have already expressed interest in participating, according to Patten.
• “I am especially proud with this project,” said Dunn, “because it highlights one of the longtime strengths of Western Michigan University, which is applying the latest knowledge and technology to create practical solutions of immediate and long-term benefit.”
• “Companies realize that being green is good for their bottom line to ensure their longevity,” said Patten, who added that project will help preserve existing jobs and foster creation of new ones.

(4/5) UC-Davis and U. Arizona have incentivized alternative transportation by using rewards to entice more walking and biking.

This is a great idea, and a no-brainer for schools with climates like Davis and Tucson.  Look at how Davis’ effort to attract people goes beyond traditional appeals for carpooling.  It’s a lesson to other schools:  If you really want people to change commuting behavior, sweeten the deal.

An excerpt from UC-Davis:

• Rewards for green commuting include complimentary parking permits, discounted bus and train passes, discounts on bicycle storage lockers, shower and locker facilities for walkers and bicyclists, and options to get you home in an emergency.
• On top of all that, goClub members are eligible for prize drawings every other month. A sampling of the prizes: bus and train passes, bicycles and assorted bicycle gear, a train-and-bus trip for two to Yosemite, a one-month membership to the Activities and Recreation Center, two tickets to an athletics event of your choice, lunch coupons and UC Davis apparel.
• The old alternative transportation program listed some 1,734 participants: carpoolers and vanpoolers, and bus riders and train riders. All of these people have been automatically enrolled in the goClub.
• With the addition of walkers and bicyclists, goClub membership could grow by thousands—especially considering that bicycling accounts for more than 40 percent of campus-related transportation.

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For more information:

• AASHE bulletin 11/9/09