Dr. Maureen Dolan SUNY Old Westbury SUNY Sustainability Conference Empire State College, Saratoga Springs September 20, 2011

Transcription

1 How Green is Our Campus? A Model for Engaging Campus Constituencies and Enhancing Campus Sustainability Dr. Maureen Dolan SUNY Old Westbury SUNY Sustainability Conference Empire State College, Saratoga Springs September 20, 2011

2 Enhancing Campus Sustainability Establish Campus Green Committee Develop model for Sustainability Audit - Integrate Student Research and Curriculum Community Engagement Partnership- Integrate Student Service Learning Align campus initiatives with SUNY Sustainability Policy adopted in

3 Campus Green Committee Convened through faculty governance Collaboration of campus constituencies: faculty, staff, students, administration Membership of campus stakeholders by invitation/recommendation and volunteers 3

4 Green Committee Constituencies Faculty, students and academic deans First Year Experience and Honors College Research Foundation & Sponsored Programs Facilities Management and Heat Plant Environmental Health & Safety Purchasing Office, Business & Finance Auxiliary Services Corporation Office of Institutional Advancement 4

5 Green Committee Activities (2010) Draft Green Committee Mission Sustainability Speaker Series Sustainability Audit/Student Research Campus Mapping Project Organic Farm Coordination to Expand Recycling Explore Renewable Energy Initiatives 5

6 Old Westbury Green Committee Mission The Green Committee shall be concerned with campus activities such as recycling, energy conservation, awareness and sustainability advocacy, and shall be encouraged to develop innovative initiatives, programs and practices in support of the goals of the SUNY Energy and Sustainability Policy, and consistent with Old Westbury s commitment to environmental stewardship, ethical leadership, citizenship, and a just and sustainable world. 6

7 Attributes of Sustainable Academic Community Efficient use of Resources Responsible Stewardship holistic view of campus as a Living Laboratory Effective integration of teaching, learning, research, green operations, and community outreach Measurement and reporting of ongoing progress - Success is a process of continued improvement Transparency and Accountability in Decision Making 7

8 Sampling of Sustainability Models Explored Ball State University sustainability integrated into curriculum and operations Berea College sustainable student farm; non-traditional population Ithaca College sustainability throughout academics, operations, outreach New York Institute of Technology award winning student-built solar homes [with USMMA] University at Buffalo (UB Green & Climate Action Plan) Binghamton University (Recycling; Conservation land/watershed) 8

9 Developing our Campus Sustainability Audit Models (national leaders and peers) Mandates (SUNY and NYS) Metrics (quantitative and qualitative) Measurements (methodology and analysis) Monitor Progress (ongoing improvement) 9

10 Some Objectives of Sustainability Audit Examine campus use of energy & natural resources Examine use of green materials and sustainable practices such as recycling and composting Explore the college s impact on the environment and surrounding community Examine campus awareness of sustainability and students exposure to sustainability curriculum Evaluate how well the college is performing as a sustainable community; recommend improvements 10

11 Sustainability Audit/Student Research Areas* Energy and Emissions Transportation Land and Community Water Food Waste and Recycling Buildings and Indoor Environment * Old Westbury Sustainability Project wishes to acknowledge PENN STATE INDICATORS REPORT 11

12 Sustainability Mandates SUNY Energy and Sustainability Policy Executive Orders #111 (Energy and Greenhouse Gases June 2001) #134 (Green Purchasing January 2005) #142 (Alternate Fuel Vehicles November 2005) #4 (Agency Sustainability April 2008) Government Regulations and Reporting Requirements (e.g., NYSERDA, DEC, OGS, EPA) NYS Legislation Preserving OWs Land (2000) 12

13 SUNY Energy and Sustainability Policy (Approved by SUNY Board of Trustees November 2007) SUNY Sustainability Mission Statement: The University will assume a national leadership role in energy sustainability, research, education, technology, economics and public policy through transformational integration of practice, teaching and research. 13

14 SUNY Energy and Sustainability Policy (approved by SUNY Board of Trustees November 2007) Reduce Total Energy Use 37% by 2010: BTUs/OGSF compared to FY Cap Greenhouse Gas emissions immediately and reduce by 20% by 2014 Increase use of Renewable Energy to 30% by 2014 Increase use of Biofuels to 10% of total by 2010 New and rehab Buildings must meet/exceed LEED Silver rating; higher standards are encouraged 14

15 Exploring the Nexus of Energy, Environment, Economic Development and Education 15

16 SUNY Energy and Sustainability Policy Transformational Opportunities Develop energy and sustainability curriculum across disciplines (including science/technology/engineering, social sciences, decision sciences, business, humanities) and in Teacher Education, general education, workforce training Expand research in energy and the environment, and support sustainability research across many disciplines Raise awareness through programs in eco-literacy, service learning, community outreach, continuing education Increase collaboration regionally, inter-institutionally Improve intra-campus coordination, collaboration and innovation including through Campus Green Committees 16

17 Sustainability Audit/Student Research A Sampling of Slides from Old Westbury Undergraduate Student presentations on Campus Sustainability Audit (2010) 17

18 We Must be Conscious Of Our Footprint 18

19 From student s presentation: What Are Green House Gases? Green House Gases consist of gases present in an atmosphere, that absorb and emit radiation within the thermal infrared range. Typical Greenhouse Gases present in the Earth s atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone.

20 From Student s presentation: So What s the Effect of Green House Gases? 20

21 Campus Sustainability Audit/Student Research Methodology, Metrics, Analyses ENERGY and EMISSIONS Review technical reports, policies, engineering analyses Research analytical models for carbon footprint Review Energy Data for Campus and SUNY Examine KWHs, BTUs and Costs (annual and trends) Analyze Energy Use (Total, per OGSF, and per AAFTE) Analyze GHG emissions (total and per AAFTE) Analyze Efficiency of CHP plant (electrical, thermal) Examine Compliance with SUNY and NYS Mandates 21

22 From 2010 Student presentation: Our Campus Emissions A few findings 12.5 million lbs. GHG emissions/year (from SUNY Energy Mngt. & Budgeting System, Energy & Cost Analysis, 2009) 34,100 lbs. GHG emissions/day (2009) SUNY Energy and Sustainability Policy Goal: Cap and reduce GHG emissions 20% by 2014 Recommended Next Steps: Monitor & Verify GHG Emissions (annual and trend) Examine all campus-related GHG emission sources 22

23 23

24 From 2010 Student presentation: Our Campus Energy Use - A Few Findings 46.4 MMBTUs per student AAFTE (FY 2009/10) Campus Achieved 29.7% Progress towards SUNY Energy & Sustainability Policy energy conservation Goal for 2010 (reduction of BTUs/OGSF 1989/ /2010) Campus achieved 20-year energy reduction of 11% per OGSF compared to SUNY Policy Goal of 37% energy reduction per OGSF (FY 89/90-09/10) 24

25 Campus Sustainability Audit/Student Research Methodology, Metrics, Analyses CAMPUS LAND Review Open Space Stewardship Plan Research Long Island geology (glacial moraine, aquifers, subsoil, water table, groundwater recharge) Research campus and regional ecosystems Research natural history of area (early settlers, Gold Coast) Interface with Campus Mapping Project Examine acreage developed and acreage of Open Space Consult relevant experts, historical societies, organizations Identify potential initiatives for sustainable stewardship 25

26 Campus Sustainability Audit/Student Research Methodology, Metrics, Analyses WATER Research Long Island geology (glacial moraine, aquifers, subsoil, water table, groundwater recharge) Examine water recharge and water conservation issues Examine impact of land use on water quality Examine sources and chemistry of campus water, reports Old Westbury and Jericho water districts (wells, tanks) Examine water consumption and costs (annual and trends) Examine water usage per AAFTE and OGSF Examine water usage by end use (including Heat Plant, Residence Halls, Pool, Laundromat, Food Services, Site) 26

27 Campus Sustainability Audit/Student Research Methodology, Metrics and Analyses WASTE and RECYCLING Review SUNY and NYS policies for green purchasing, recycling, source separation and waste reduction Research models and recycling programs other campuses Review campus waste audit (tonnage and patterns) Review materials purchased, consumed, recycled, discarded Review recycling programs (paper, aluminum, glass, plastic) Examine tonnage and costs/revenues (annual and trends) Examine Food Services (sources, cooking oil, compost, etc.) Examine policies, metrics for technology-related recycling Identify areas for improvement 27

28 Campus Sustainability Audit/Student Research Methodology, Metrics and Analyses TRANSPORTATION Examine campus vehicles (facilities, police, official vehicles) Examine vehicles used for student transportation Analyze annual Fuel Consumption and costs Analyze annual miles driven and estimated MPG Analyze annual GHG emissions and particulate pollutants Examine use of mass transit, alternative commuting modes Analyze automobile commuting data Examine vehicle registration data from college Analyze zip code mapping model to estimate miles driven Analyze average estimated MPG and vehicle emissions 28

29 Next Steps Sustainability Audit/Student Research Students presented their work on Sustainability Audit at Research Day (energy and emissions, land, water, recycling, food services) Sustainability Audit expected to resume in 2012, assuming student interest and campus cooperation Sustainability curriculum for general education planned as part of quantitative reasoning course 29

30 How Green is Our Campus? A Model for Engaging Campus Constituencies and Enhancing Campus Sustainability For additional information on SUNY Old Westbury Sustainability Audit/Student Research project or Campus Green Committee please contact: Dr. Maureen Dolan Mathematics/CIS Department SUNY College at Old Westbury Campus Green Committee, Chair dolanm@oldwestbury.edu 30