Adopting a Culture of Sustainability www.cuaes.cornell.edu
Sustainability Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs UN Brundtland Report
Global Warming 68 64 60
Cornell Climate Action Plan CUAES figures prominently in the Cornell Climate Action Plan
CUAES Adopting a Culture of Sustainability Operations Support research, teaching, extension Triple bottom line: Economic, environmental, social sustainability Emphasis on cost reductions, efficiencies, carbon neutrality 60 staff empowered (generate ideas, implement) Forests, farms, plant growth facilities (14,000 ac) A model
Greenhouses 155,000 sq ft, 164 compartments the largest noncommercial greenhouse facility in the state Over 100 principle investigators, 200 to 300 projects Lighting and control retrofit testing underway 25% savings
Farms, Facilities Central campus area 325 acres, mixed crops Freeville 200 acres including 30 acre organic, vegetables Musgrave 425 acres, field crops Willsboro 352 acres, NNY, field crops Long Island 68 acres, nursery, vegetable Farm Services 1,000 acres, self-supporting service center Compost facility 6-8,000 tons/yr, 57 waste streams Dilmun Hill Student Farm
Growth Chambers 130 units ranging from 9 to 108 feet 2 Up to $28,000/unit/yr to operate 100 s of incubators @ $1,000/yr. Monitored for electrical consumption: 26 were shut off to date NYSERDA grant to retrofit 40 New signage: More requests from researchers to shut off chambers when not in use in the first 6 months, than during the past several years.
Sustainable Forest Management >2000 forested acres under CUAES management Sustainable management (biomass removal) 1,000 acres abandoned land with potential for afforestation (carbon sequestration)
Campus Tree Inventory 7,200 trees on campus were identified and measured Partnership: Horticulture, Planning, Design and Construction (Facilities Services) and CUAES Results: 300 species of trees 15 million pounds of carbon stored More than $0.5 million in ecosystem benefits annually (energy savings, storm water mitigation, carbon sequestration, etc.) 350 yr old oak
To Mow or Not to Mow? Grounds Department, Horticulture and CUAES CUAES mows 100 acres of lawns why? Costly, fossil fuel use Testing: Grass mixes Ground preparation & seeding methods Mowing schedules & heights Zero turn mowers
To Mow or Not to Mow? Grounds Department, Horticulture and CUAES Libe Slope: Testing new fescue mixes to reduce carbon footprint; stopped mowing 50%
Farms to Dining Initiative Locally Grown Local CUAES Farms Cornell Dining Several tons of fresh produce delivered: Potatoes, sweet corn, squash, mixed greens and more Without compromising support for research
Cornell University Renewable Bioenergy Initiative Using local (CUAES) biomass A living, learning laboratory - teaching, research, extension Five complementary renewable energy technologies - anaerobic digestion, high solids anaerobic digestion, slow pyrolysis, direct combustion/gasification, biodiesel conversion Model with wide application Multiple collaborations Feasibility completed
Cornell University Renewable Bioenergy Initiative Converting Cornell biomass to: Multiple biofuels, heat, power, co-products Co-located with geothermal mutually beneficial!
Methane from animal and food wastes, grasses, carcasses CUAES @ 5-8000 tons/yr
Slow Pyrolysis Biochar - soil amendment Carbon negative - burying biochar (carbon) for 1000 s yrs Technology is scalable Lehmann, 2007, Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment 7, 381-387 Lehmann, 2007, Nature 447, 143-144
Direct Combustion Woody, agricultural biomass Efficient Technology readily available Schools, dormitories, facilities
Biodiesel Conversion 6000 gal veg oil/yr (Cornell dining facilities) 6000 gal biodiesel = 40% CUAES Farm Services needs Return on investment <12 mo Potential wide use - schools, communities
Cornell University Renewable Bioenergy Initiative
CURBI Moving Ahead Feasibility study completed Feb. 2010 Estimated cost - $9.2 million Converts 35K tons biomass Heat to greenhouse - $1 million Biochar 2600 tons, $1.3 million Carbon footprint reduction 10K tons CO 2 Private partnership pyrolysis (heat and biochar) Public partnership NYSERDA, DOE, AFRI Living laboratory, teaching, research, extension, economic development
CURBI Research Opportunities Biochar Lehman, CSS Large research community in need of biochar Anaerobic digestion Angenent, BEE Emissions Engineering Gasification/Combustion - Engineering Syn gas Fuel Cell Institute, BEE Major funding streams to support research
Energy Conservation in CALS Buildings - Pilot Study - Communications, Human Ecology, Utilities, AES s Emphasis on human behavior Implementation and research (e.g. role of competition) Initial survey 67% response (3400 academics, staff) 7 buildings, various uses/energy demands Modest savings 2% = $44,000/initial $8,000 investment Major savings? Cornell fume hoods ($7.5 million/40% savings) Growth chambers 425 in CALS Model for rest of Cornell, SUNY System, beyond Change in culture
The Human (Social) Dimension Setting Priorities The challenge - doing less with less Being killed with opportunities Organizational Development Services Leadership/management needs to set priorities First and second tier managers Who and when Driven by vision, mission and goals Tracks progress Model for other units at Cornell
The Human (Social) Dimension Setting Priorities Line of Site
The Human (Social) Dimension Sustainable Action Team (SAT) Empowering people - Top down support for bottom up ideas Turn to staff for sustainability - ideas/opportunities Monitors and records results Many projects are the result of the work of the SAT Recent press emphasized role of staff
Sustainability Matrix Actions: Initial Investment Savings /yr Greenhouse Remodeling New controls, lighting $2.6 M $ 550,000 Building Tightening Weather stripping all doors & windows, replacing windows, adding insulation, etc. Seasonal Closing of Buildings Buildings at farms underutilized in the winter No trash pick up, no water cooler, refrigerators Biomass Stoves at Farms Burning non saleable corn and straw In-house Seed Production Saving seed (rye, oats) from cover crops $15,000 Gathering data 0 $ 5-7,000 (one building) 0 $ 3,000 (one farm) 0 $3,700 (one farm)
Actions: Sustainability Matrix Initial Investment Savings/y r Autoclaving Pots and Trays 0 $6,000 Replaced Leased Vehicles $35,000 $30,500 Labor Efficiencies Field staff working in greenhouses in winter 4-day Work Week 20% emission reduction Energy Conservation in Buildings Office equipment (2% savings) 1500 computers in 6 buildings) Fume hoods (28 in one building), if full closed Cornell $7.5 million Growth chambers adjust set point, coast mode $28K reduced to $14K in coast (100 sq ft models) 0 $15,000 0 Carbon $8,000 $44,000 $84,000??
Adopt a Culture of Sustainability Now! What will my daughters say about their dad when they are in their 60 s? We are on trial!
Every individual matters Every individual has a role to play Every individual makes a difference Jane Goodall Environmental & Humanitarian Program