The green practices at the top ranked universities work because they are unique to the individual cultures. But how can we change the behavior of a culture that is not already in favor of environmental issues? The Fun Theory, created by Volkswagen, is an example of how communities all over the world are using fun to “change people’s behavior for the better.” A piano staircase to increase use of stairs, bottle bank arcade to increase recycling of glass bottles, and the World’s deepest trash bin to reduce littering are a few examples of how fun can change behaviors. These techniques could easily be implemented at Texas A&M to further promote green behavior in students. My research will explore what students require on a college campus to ensure environmentally responsible behaviors.
Showing posts with label Practices. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Practices. Show all posts
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Currently on Campus
Texas A&M was among the schools that participated in the College Sustainability Report’s survey. This survey asks about the President’s Climate Commitment, but Texas A&M is currently not a part of it. At this time, Texas A&M diverts only about 10% of trash and only recycles paper, cardboard, aluminum, and some plastics. Although 99% of landscape waste is composted on campus, there are no other bins for combustibles. Single stream recycling is one way to improve this statistic. The three bin recycling collection system makes “recycling almost as easy as using the trash can”. One bin is for all recyclables, one is for combustibles, and the last one is for the remaining trash. By combining bins and reducing the amount of sorting, it increases the ease and convenience of recycling.
There are no sustainability themed residence halls, but there is a Residence Hall Energy Challenge in which resident halls attempt to decrease energy use by 5%. There are no internship positions available, but there are several student organizations that provide opportunities for students to take a stand for sustainability. They are: Association for Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Issues Committee, One Love, Community Garden and Sustainability Council. Texas A&M has 727 buses in their transportation fleet, 79 of which operate on biofuels, 10 are hybrid, and 39 use Flex Fuel. While there is no bike-sharing program, there is a car sharing program that is made up of 10 cars, and 45% of people use environmentally friendly transportation to campus.
Overall we have improved our grade from a C+ in 2009 to a B- in the 2010 report. Two of the eight goals in Texas A&M’s master plan goals have to do with sustainability. They are to “establish an accessible, pedestrian campus” and to “promote sustainability by teaching and acting in an environmentally sustainable manner”. These goals are being worked toward, but based on the sustainability ratings, there is still a lot to be done before they are achieved.
The second annual Campus Sustainability Day is one step toward reaching them. Student organizations at Texas A&M came together to promote sustainability on campus. Many organizations passed out fliers and pamphlets to raise awareness about energy, water, and recycling efforts on campus among students. Students were also given the opportunity to purchase fresh produce at this event. In Ann Littmann's article in the Battallion, Campus Sustainability Officer Kelly Wellman said, "This is part of our culture and we have sustainability integrated into our curriculums. These issues are important and we are preparing our future leaders to address them." She also said "Sustainability is so much more than going green. It's about making choices that respect our resources and the financial impact of our decisions… Sustainability is about finding the balance between a healthy environment, social equity and economic growth”. This shows that there are people at Texas A&M that are dedicated to improving our environmental culture.
There are no sustainability themed residence halls, but there is a Residence Hall Energy Challenge in which resident halls attempt to decrease energy use by 5%. There are no internship positions available, but there are several student organizations that provide opportunities for students to take a stand for sustainability. They are: Association for Social Entrepreneurship, Environmental Issues Committee, One Love, Community Garden and Sustainability Council. Texas A&M has 727 buses in their transportation fleet, 79 of which operate on biofuels, 10 are hybrid, and 39 use Flex Fuel. While there is no bike-sharing program, there is a car sharing program that is made up of 10 cars, and 45% of people use environmentally friendly transportation to campus.
Overall we have improved our grade from a C+ in 2009 to a B- in the 2010 report. Two of the eight goals in Texas A&M’s master plan goals have to do with sustainability. They are to “establish an accessible, pedestrian campus” and to “promote sustainability by teaching and acting in an environmentally sustainable manner”. These goals are being worked toward, but based on the sustainability ratings, there is still a lot to be done before they are achieved.
The second annual Campus Sustainability Day is one step toward reaching them. Student organizations at Texas A&M came together to promote sustainability on campus. Many organizations passed out fliers and pamphlets to raise awareness about energy, water, and recycling efforts on campus among students. Students were also given the opportunity to purchase fresh produce at this event. In Ann Littmann's article in the Battallion, Campus Sustainability Officer Kelly Wellman said, "This is part of our culture and we have sustainability integrated into our curriculums. These issues are important and we are preparing our future leaders to address them." She also said "Sustainability is so much more than going green. It's about making choices that respect our resources and the financial impact of our decisions… Sustainability is about finding the balance between a healthy environment, social equity and economic growth”. This shows that there are people at Texas A&M that are dedicated to improving our environmental culture.
Accountability anyone?
Many of these schools are involved in national organizations that hold them accountable for their sustainabile practices. One of which is the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment. This organization is dedicated to reducing or neutralizing greenhouse gas emissions at universities and colleges in America. The requirements for commitment are:
-an emissions inventory
-set a date for becoming climate neutral with in 2 years
-take immediate steps to reduce green house gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-termactions
-integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it a part of the educational experience
-make an action plan.
Most relevant to my research is the commitment’s requirement of a university to prepare students to understand and deal with environmental issues in any line of work. The ACUPCC believes that universities are a role model in a community. Although they only make up “2-3% of our carbon footprint...they are 100% of our educational footprint”.
-an emissions inventory
-set a date for becoming climate neutral with in 2 years
-take immediate steps to reduce green house gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-termactions
-integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it a part of the educational experience
-make an action plan.
Most relevant to my research is the commitment’s requirement of a university to prepare students to understand and deal with environmental issues in any line of work. The ACUPCC believes that universities are a role model in a community. Although they only make up “2-3% of our carbon footprint...they are 100% of our educational footprint”.
And now, a word from the students!
The sustainability ranking cites I posted yesterday also discuss individual practices at the universities. For example, the Sierra Club published a compilation of student written reports on sustainable practices at their individual schools. Each one of their judging criteria for ranking the schools is highlighted in a particular school.
University of Colorado, Boulder has a student directed recycling program and was the first university for students to implement the Green Fund Fee in order to provide bike sharing, a better bus system, and biofuels in vehicles.
Yale is known for their sustainable food practices. They have a garden market that sells goods locally and is used on campus. 49% of the food used at Yale is local, seasonal and organic. The negative aspect of this is that some students complain it costs too much and there is not enough variety.
Harvard is known for their efficiency. They have implemented moisture sensing water sprinkler systems, compact fluorescent bulbs, solar panels on roofs of buildings, and have 17 LEED certified buildings. Although students do not fully appreciate LEED certified buildings, it raises awareness for sustainability with students. They also have the “Environmental Action Committee”, which is an organization that conducts student run sustainability projects.
UCLA is known for their waste management. They have come up with a “Waste Watchers” program that weighs the dining hall leftovers to educate students on the amount of food that is wasted.
Georgia Tech excels in academic sustainability. They provide many choices of good courses on renewable energy, and have clubs that raise awareness and have unique opportunities. Students participate in projects such as improving recycling bins, making jewelry from waste, and studying the environmental impact of vegetarianism. Students have also won an award for their design of a play pump to pump water in a village.
The New York Times has also published an article related to green practices on college campuses. In the article "Without Cafeteria Trays, Colleges Find Savings" Skidmore College is highlighted. Skidmore went trayless to “save water, cut food waste, soften ambiance, and save money”. Going trayless is a part of an environmental trend and has been described by Joseph Spina of the National Association of College and University Food Services as “a hot thing right now”. In trayless cafeterias, students tend to take less food, which means there is less food waste and a lower cost in food and disposal service for the university. The negative side of this is that students have to go back in line for seconds, so there is an decrease in turnaround.
Universities are also using sports to educate their fans on sustainability. The University of Florida paired with a non-profit organization, Earth Givers, to offset game day emissions. Their program is called “Neutral Gators”. The University of Colorado has a zero waste program at their games. They use only biodegradable containers, wrappers, and other packaging. They also have recycling bins through out the stadium. The University of Colorado has seen an 8% decrease in trash.
University of Colorado, Boulder has a student directed recycling program and was the first university for students to implement the Green Fund Fee in order to provide bike sharing, a better bus system, and biofuels in vehicles.
Yale is known for their sustainable food practices. They have a garden market that sells goods locally and is used on campus. 49% of the food used at Yale is local, seasonal and organic. The negative aspect of this is that some students complain it costs too much and there is not enough variety.
Harvard is known for their efficiency. They have implemented moisture sensing water sprinkler systems, compact fluorescent bulbs, solar panels on roofs of buildings, and have 17 LEED certified buildings. Although students do not fully appreciate LEED certified buildings, it raises awareness for sustainability with students. They also have the “Environmental Action Committee”, which is an organization that conducts student run sustainability projects.
UCLA is known for their waste management. They have come up with a “Waste Watchers” program that weighs the dining hall leftovers to educate students on the amount of food that is wasted.
Georgia Tech excels in academic sustainability. They provide many choices of good courses on renewable energy, and have clubs that raise awareness and have unique opportunities. Students participate in projects such as improving recycling bins, making jewelry from waste, and studying the environmental impact of vegetarianism. Students have also won an award for their design of a play pump to pump water in a village.
The New York Times has also published an article related to green practices on college campuses. In the article "Without Cafeteria Trays, Colleges Find Savings" Skidmore College is highlighted. Skidmore went trayless to “save water, cut food waste, soften ambiance, and save money”. Going trayless is a part of an environmental trend and has been described by Joseph Spina of the National Association of College and University Food Services as “a hot thing right now”. In trayless cafeterias, students tend to take less food, which means there is less food waste and a lower cost in food and disposal service for the university. The negative side of this is that students have to go back in line for seconds, so there is an decrease in turnaround.
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