AGENDA ITEM BACKGROUND
TO: GOVERNING BOARD
DATE
FROM: PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
November 1, 2010
Cabrillo College Climate Action Plan, 2010
REASON FOR BOARD CONSIDERATION
INFORMATION
ENCLOSURE(S)
ITEM NUMBER
Page 1 of 18
E.6
BACKGROUND:
Cabrillo’s first Climate Action Plan (CAP) has been submitted by the Climate Initiative Task Force
as part of the reporting requirements of institutions who have signed the Presidents Climate
Commitment. By signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment
(ACUPCC) in 2007, Cabrillo joined higher education leaders nationwide in pledging to reduce
Cabrillo’s contribution to climate change. Cabrillo’s CAP report is available on the ACUPCC
website: http://acupcc.aashe.org The following CAP includes revised square footage data, and
the addition of Cabrillo’s new GreenSteps logo, designed by Evelyn Hirsch, Marketing &
Communications’ talented Graphic Designer.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsored an in-depth review of 50 CAPs submitted
through the ACUPCC. Cabrillo’s CAP was one of two selected as models by the EPA, and
representatives were invited to participate in a September “ACUPCC Webinar: Best Practices in
Climate Action Plan Development: Highlights and Lessons from the ACUPCC CAP Review.”
(continued on next page)
Administrator Initiating Item:
Brian King
Craig Hayward
Academic and Professional Matter
If yes, Faculty Senate Agreement
Senate President Signature
 Yes  No
 Yes  No
Final Disposition
Climate Action Plan
Prepared by:
Cabrillo College Climate Initiative Task Force Members
6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos, CA 95003
(831) 479-6100 • http://www.cabrillo.edu
February, 2010, rev. October 2010
Table of Contents
Background
Demographics
Methodology
Major Sector Emissions
Key Findings
Climate Neutrality Goals
Acknowledgements
Appendices
Page 1
Page 2
Page 4
Page 4
Page 9
Page 10
Page 17
Page 17
Background
In July, 2007, Cabrillo College President Brian King signed the Presidents Climate
Commitment, with strong support from Cabrillo’s Governing Board, joining higher education
leaders nationwide in pledging to reduce their institutions’ contribution to global warming over
time.
The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)¹ is a highvisibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and to promote research and education efforts of higher
education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
¹www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
1
Cabrillo’s Climate Commitment involves:
•
Establishing an institutional structure to oversee the development and implementation of the
school’s program to comply with the ACUPCC;
•
Completing an emissions inventory within a year…and update the inventory every other year
thereafter.
•
Within two years, establishing a climate neutrality action plan and setting a target date and interim
milestones for becoming climate neutral;
•
Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of tangible
action options;
•
Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience; and
•
Making climate action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available.²
Under the guidance and direction of university presidents, the Commitment is supported and
implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
(AASHE), Second Nature, and ecoAmerica. Cabrillo College became a new member of
AASHE in 2009.
To address the Climate Commitment, Dr. King formed Cabrillo’s Climate Initiative Task Force
(CITF) in February, 2008, to oversee this process. Cabrillo’s “Flex Week” workshops in
February 2008, provided several opportunities to introduce the ACUPCC and Cabrillo’s CITF
to Cabrillo staff, faculty, students and community members. Twenty-four attendees signed up
to be members of the newly created CITF, including 8 instructors, 5 administrators, 5
classified staff, 2 students, 2 counselors, and 2 community members (see Appendix A).
The CITF began by establishing a meeting schedule, creating a plan to integrate climate
initiative objectives into Cabrillo’s 2008-2011 Master Plan (see Appendix B), establishing
two tangible actions to begin work on immediately, as well as develop a plan to involve
students in the gathering of data for an emissions inventory. Due to severe staffing and
budget cuts, the Task Force committed to establishing action plans that provide maximum
efficiency cuts in emissions while requiring the least possible staff time and college funds.
Demographics
Cabrillo College is one of 112 public California community colleges. Situated on the
Monterey Bay in the county of Santa Cruz, California, Cabrillo is located 65 miles south of
San Francisco and 35 miles north of Monterey.
Headcount
2008-2009 student headcount is as follows:
Academic Year
2008-09
Summer
6,174
Fall
16,924
Winter
2,242
Spring
16,447
²CITF documents are located at www.CabrilloGreenSteps.org & www.wiserearth.org/group/cabrillosustainability
2
Headcount by Term
16,000
14,000
12,000
10,000
8,000
6,000
4,000
2,000
0
Summer
Fall
19
92
19 93
93
-9
19 4
94
-9
19 5
95
19 96
96
-9
19 7
97
19 98
98
-9
19 9
99
-0
20 0
00
20 01
01
-0
20 2
02
20 03
03
-0
20 4
04
20 05
05
-0
20 6
06
-0
20 7
07
20 08
08
-0
9
Winter
Spring
Staff Size
Staff and faculty totals for calendar year 2008 are as follows:
2008
#
%
Professional (Non-Faculty)
Skilled Crafts
Executive/Admin/Mngr
Service/Maintenance
Clerical/Secretarial
Technical/Paraprofessional
Faculty, Tenure/Tenure Track
Faculty, Adjunct
0
6
37
34
110
124
217
0.0%
0.6%
4.0%
3.7%
11.8%
13.3%
23.3%
403
43.3%
Total
930
100%
Job Categories
Job Categories Faculty, Adjunct
Faculty, Tenure/Tenure
Track
Technical/Paraprofessional
Clerical/Secretarial
Service/Maintenance
Executive/Admin/Mngr
Skilled Crafts
Professional (Non‐Faculty)
43%
23%
13%
12%
4%
4%
1%
0%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%
Square Footage
Estimated Aptos and Watsonville campus square footage, excluding parking garages:
Aptos Campus
Watsonville Center
2007
2008
2009
2010
548,700 sq’
40,600 sq’
671,000 sq’
40,600 sq’
728,000 sq’
40,600 sq’
785,688* sq’ projected
54,600** sq’ proj.
*Includes new Health & Wellness Center
**Includes new Green Technology Center
3
Methodology
In an effort to fulfill ACUPCC requirements, Cabrillo College has conducted a baseline
greenhouse gas emissions inventory aimed at establishing a baseline “carbon footprint” to
assist in preparation of a comprehensive emissions management and reduction plan. This
report identifies and quantifies the major sources of campus emissions, where data was
available, focusing on the 2007-2008 academic year.
For its emissions inventory, Cabrillo College used the campus greenhouse gas inventory
calculator tool developed by Clean Air Cool Planet (CACP). CACP is a non-profit sciencebased organization whose greenhouse gas inventory tools and methodology are the most
commonly used standard for higher education. The completed CACP spreadsheet is
available on the ACUPCC website: http://acupcc.aashe.org/ and quantifies all major sources
of Cabrillo’s greenhouse gas emissions. This includes energy use, transportation and solid
waste.
Major Sector Emissions
Transportation
Survey data confirms transportation’s role as the major Cabrillo carbon contributor. Staff,
faculty and student transportation data was determined through administration of surveys by
Ecology Action’s Go Green Cabrillo campaign3 and Cabrillo’s Transportation Management
Committee, with data analysis conducted by Cabrillo’s Planning and Research Office.
College fleet emissions were determined by total diesel and gasoline fuel usage. Collegesponsored travel data was not available at the time of this report and is excluded from
transportation estimates.
Student Transportation Emissions
A 2008 student transportation survey was conducted by Student Services in partnership with
Ecology Action’s “Go Green Cabrillo” program, confirming transportation’s role as the major
Cabrillo carbon offender. The previous student transportation survey was conducted in 2000,
and additional Campus Climate surveys administered biannually by the Planning and
Research Office. Student transportation survey data4 from 2008 was analyzed by Craig
Hayward, Director of Planning, Research & Knowledge Systems at Cabrillo College.
A summary of findings related to 2008 student transportation emissions follows:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Number of solo car trips per week: Approximately 25,000
Average number of miles driven (round trip): 16.50
Number of miles driven per week: 412,500
Average Miles Per Gallon: 22.5
Total gallons used per week: 18,333
Total lbs. of CO2 emitted per week from student solo car trips: 165 metric tons.
Note: The average number of student solo trips per week was divided by the full-time equivalent student number created by the CACP spreadsheet
(25,000/14,864) to arrive at the average number of trips per student per week (1.68). This number was then multiplied by the number of weeks per term
(16.5 weeks) to arrive at the number of trips per term for an average student (27.752). This number was then multiplied by two to arrive at an annual
number of trips (or the number of days for which trips occurred). This final number (55.5) was input into the CACP spreadsheet as the number of days
per year for student commutes. Estimate for weekly student solo car trips estimates 19.8 lbs. of CO2 per gallon.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3
http://www.gogreencollege.org
4
http://pro.cabrillo.edu/pro/pro_reports
4
Staff and Faculty Transportation Emissions
Dr. Hayward’s May, 2008 staff/faculty transportation data analysis revealed the following:
•
Cabrillo College employees make approximately 2,900 solo automobile trips to
Cabrillo in a typical week.
•
Given the average commute distance and number of trips for each employee group,
Cabrillo College employees are driving 64,550 miles per week to commute to work.
Survey results confirm that carpooling is the most desirable alternative to driving alone for
students as well as staff and faculty. Existing Cabrillo programs are being expanded and
better publicized, to encourage and increase the use of carpooling, bikes and public
transportation to meet Cabrillo’s climate commitment to greatly reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. In 2008, it is estimated that staff/faculty transportation emitted a total of 625
metric tons of CO2.
Fleet Emissions
In 2008, it is estimated that fuel use by the Cabrillo fleet emitted a total of 162 metric tons of
CO2. Cabrillo fleet emissions for 2008 are estimated to break down as follows:
Fuel Type
Gasoline - Fleet
Diesel - Fleet
14,684
1,500
90.7%
9.3%
CO2 (metric tons)
146
16
16,184
100.0%
162
Gallons
%
Total
Fuel Use by Cabrillo Fleet
Ga s ol i ne ‐ Fl e e t
91%
Diesel ‐ Fleet
9%
Energy Use
Next to transportation emissions, energy use is Cabrillo’s second biggest carbon offender.
There are great cost savings that will be realized with the implementation of a college-wide
energy conservation program, a major goal of the Climate Initiative Task Force, in support of
Cabrillo’s Sustainable Energy Plan, and 2008-2011 Master Plan Strategies.
To quantify energy use, college records and invoices were reviewed by CITF members, staff,
faculty and students, to gather electricity and natural gas data. Much of the data is not
currently available in digital form.
Cabrillo’s primary energy source is purchased electricity from Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
and natural gas from Department of General Services (DGS). Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E)
has an innovative online data source, InterAct,5 which allows Cabrillo to see how it is using
__________________________________________________________________________________
5
https://inter-act.pge.com/pge
5
energy, compare current usage to historic patterns, as well as export data for reporting
purposes. Total kilo-watt/hours of electricity were used to determine the total greenhouse
gas emissions resulting from Cabrillo’s use of electricity. Natural gas usage in therms was
determined based on Business Office invoices.
Cabrillo College STEEP (Science, Technology, Engineering: Expanding Potential, see
Appendix C) student interns conducted a comprehensive electrical plus and lighting audit of
the upper campus in early 2009 containing valuable energy savings recommendations
(Appendix D). The impressive report offers powerful, specific, simple and cost-effective
means of saving Cabrillo tens of thousands of dollars each year. The complete student
report is available upon request.
Electricity
Cabrillo consumed 2,024,000 kWh in 1990. Cabrillo’s electricity use more than doubled
between 2000 and2008 (3,261.990 kWh in 2000, to 6,816,352 kWh in 2008), far outpacing
FTES and physical growth. In 2008, it is estimated that Cabrillo’s use of electricity produced
2,052 metric tons of CO2.
Cabrillo College Electricity Use in Kilowatt Hours and Student Headcount, 1990‐2008 8,000,000
18000
7,000,000
16000
14000
6,000,000
12000
5,000,000
10000
4,000,000
8000
3,000,000
6000
2,000,000
4000
1,000,000
2000
Electricity Use in Kilowatt Hours
20
08
20
07
20
06
20
05
20
04
20
00
0
19
90
0
Student Headcount
6
Natural Gas
Cabrillo College purchases natural gas from the Department of General Services (DGS)
Natural Gas Services for heating. In calendar year 2008 alone, Cabrillo consumed 355,600
therms of natural gas, at a cost of $361,543, producing 1,883 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
The spike in winter months, particularly December, suggests several recommendations for
Cabrillo’s comprehensive energy conservation plan.
Cabrillo 2009 DGS Natural Gas (Therms) Usage
& Expenditures by Month
50,000
45,000
40,000
THERMS
35,000
$41,884
$38,114
$34,795
$33,819
30,000
$26,083
$26,725
25,000
Therms
$19,756
$18,963
20,000
Cost
$16,998
15,000
$14,672
10,000
$13,118
$11,459
5,000
D
ec
-
09
09
N
ov
-
9
-0
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ct
9
9
Se
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-0
A
9
Ju
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9
Ju
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9
M
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09
pr
A
M
ar
-0
9
9
Fe
b0
Ja
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09
0
Solid Waste
Solid waste data is included in this emissions inventory and represents a relatively small, but
important, source of greenhouse gas emissions. Cabrillo’s diversion of solid waste has been
greatly enhanced by new and innovative programs coordinated by Tom Rusconi in
partnership with staff, students and community non-profit organizations.
Cabrillo boasts an active Recycling Program, originally started by the student body, now a
division of Maintenance & Operations. This program provides detailed, itemized reports to
the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) each year, which greatly aided
quantification of solid waste data for this inventory.
The CIWMB recently moved from a 12-month to an 18-month reporting period. Because
those 18 months have yet to conclude at the time of this report submission, 2008 figures are
estimates, not actual.
7
Waste Generated, Diverted & Disposed
Waste Outcome
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
Total Diverted
429.1 259.1 274.0 253.8 250.1
Total Disposed
238.0 233.1 239.0 195.7 198.5
Total Generated 668.0 492.2 513.0 449.6 448.6
Diversion Percentage
64.2%* 52.6% 53.5% 56.5% 55.7%
*Diversion of concrete/asphalt/rubble in 2003, not present in more recent years, skews 2003
diversion %.
While recycling has become mainstream at Cabrillo, we can work to dramatically curb the
amount of waste produced and disposed of by staff, faculty and students, while increasing
diversion rates. The majority of what is thrown away, and ending up at our landfill, can be
recycled.
Although solid waste does not represent a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions at
Cabrillo, the campus is determined to steadily improve the percentage of waste diverted from
the landfill. This will require the expansion of existing recycling programs on campus,
including the composting and eWaste programs, and implementing an aggressive campaign
to better publicize and educate about the existence and importance of these programs.
In 2008, it is estimated that Cabrillo College’s solid waste disposal emitted a total of 29 metric
tons of CO2.
8
Key Findings
Cabrillo College emitted an estimated 9,361 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in
2008. The major sources of Cabrillo’s emissions are estimated as follows:
Cabrillo College Major Sector Emissions, 2008
Solid Waste
0.3%
Fleet Gas/Diesel
1.7%
Natural Gas
20%
Student
Commute
49%
Electricity
22%
Staff/Faculty
Commute
7%
Major Sector Emissions in Metric Tons eCO2, 2008*
%
Source
MTCDE
Student Commute
4,610
49.2%
Electricity*
2,052
21.9%
Natural Gas
1,883
20.1%
Staff/Faculty Commute
625
6.7%
Fleet Gasoline/Diesel
162
1.7%
Solid Waste, estimated
29
0.3%
Total
9,361
100.0%
*Based on CACP Carbon Calculator calculations, with custom energy mix:
http://www.pge.com/myhome/edusafety/systemworks/electric/energymix/
Green House Gases (GHG)
According to the ACUPCC Implementation Guide the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory
is to be a comprehensive inventory of emissions of the six greenhouse gases defined by the
Kyoto Protocol: carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), hydro
fluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulphur hexafluoride (SF6). Our
assessment at Cabrillo will focus mostly on Carbon Dioxide as the other gasses are
generated in far smaller quantities by campus operations. Cabrillo’s assessment of baseline
emissions is using the Clean Air Cool Planet Campus Carbon Calculator which follows the
Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) of the World Business Council for Sustainable
Development (WBCSD) and the World Resources Institute (WRI). The equivalent Carbon
Dioxide (e CO2) values below include CH4 and N2O generated by campus activities.
9
The Greenhouse gas protocol defines three scopes for assessment:
Scope 1
Scope 2
Scope 3
Emissions from sources owned or directly controlled by the college. At
Cabrillo this includes campus use of natural gas, purchased diesel and
gasoline fuel.
Indirect emissions from the generation of energy purchased by the college.
Electricity Cabrillo purchased from Pacific Gas and Electric was used to
calculate these emissions.
Indirect emissions that are a consequence of our choices and activities on
campus but are generated from sources not owned or controlled by Cabrillo
College. We have assessed these indirect emissions at Cabrillo: staff, faculty
and student commute transportation, and waste. We have not assessed
college funded air travel.
De Minimis Emissions
Emissions composing less than 5% of total emissions that would take more effort to calculate
than they are worth may be considered as “de minimis” according to Jennifer Andrews of
Clean Air Cool Planet. Refrigerants and fertilizers used at Cabrillo will be considered “de
minimus”. Since solid waste comprises 0.1% of total greenhouse gas emissions it is
reasonable to assume that refrigerants and fertilizers make up less than 1% of Cabrillo
emissions.
Climate Neutrality Goals
The CITF has identified 2050 as a feasible date for Cabrillo to achieve an 80% reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions, using 2008 baseline data. These goals reflect targets mandated
by the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, calling for a 15% reduction by 2020.
Cabrillo’s most immediate goal is to reach the targets set forth in the Sustainable Energy Plan
approved by the Governing Board September, 2009 (Appendix E). Cabrillo adopted the
following specific energy reduction goal, consistent with California Community Colleges
(CCC) Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Policy (Appendix F):
•
Reduction of energy consumption from its 2001-2002 baseline consumption by 15%
by the end of fiscal year 2011-2012.
In response, the trajectory below reduces Scopes 1 and 2 energy use 15% by June 30, 2012.
Subsequent trajectory reductions encompass Scopes 1, 2, and 3 to reach a comprehensive
reduction of 15% by 2015. The trajectory reflects an 80% reduction achieved by mid-century,
2050.
The following trajectory represents Cabrillo’s goal of immediate, aggressive, and ongoing
energy conservation efforts, despite the estimated 38% increase in Cabrillo’s main campus
building square footage between 2007 and that projected by 2010.
Progress made in
meeting our climate neutrality goals will be monitored and the trajectory adjusted accordingly.
10
Metric Tons eCO2
Cabrillo College Emissions Trajectory in Metric Tons eCO2
10,000
9,361
8413
8,000
7956.85 7488.8
6552.7
6,000
5616.6
4,000
4680.5
3744.4
2808.3
2,000
1872.2
20
50
20
45
20
40
20
35
20
30
20
25
20
20
20
15
20
12
20
08
0
Aggressive Conservation and Energy Efficiency Education A Top Priority
In the midst of dire budget cuts to the community college system, and staff layoffs, Cabrillo
has chosen not to pursue carbon offsets and instead is focused on working toward climate
neutrality through mitigation strategies. Cabrillo’s emissions reduction efforts will initially
focus on increasingly aggressive conservation and energy efficiency education programs
directed at staff, faculty and students, with the help of a Building Monitor program.
Going Green Saves Green
Even during this economic meltdown, colleges and universities like Cabrillo are wasting
enormous amounts of money and power by leaving power strips, computers, printers, lights
and heat on at night, as well as for long periods during the day when the user is not present.
The “Just Turn it Off” and “GreenSteps” campaigns at Cabrillo focus on awareness with the
goal of changing ingrained habits and practices which result in enormous energy waste.
An estimated 5% of electricity used at Cabrillo is wasted on equipment that is turned off, but
still drawing power. This 5% represents an enormous waste of dollars as well as grave
environmental damage, and yet it would be simple to recoup by raising awareness and
changing habits. To illustrate the “power” of simply turning off power strips, this easy and
quick 5% would have saved Cabrillo conservatively over $45,000 just last year. The
enormous cost of Cabrillo’s electric use in dollars for 2009 is illustrated below, and totaled
close to one million dollars ($1,000,000.00).
11
Cabrillo 2009 Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) Usage in Killowatt Hours
& Expenditures by Month
800,000
700,000
600,000
kWh
500,000
400,000
Killowatt Hours
Cost
300,000
200,000
$92,759
$84,934
$85,498 $98,911
$102,575
$66,834
ec
-0
9
$65,730
D
ov
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9
N
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$78,277
Ju
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09
$60,668
A
9
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9
$53,961
$51,337
Ja
n09
0
$66,267
Fe
b0
100,000
Source: PG&E online InterAct site: https://inter-act.pge.com/pge
The following are just a few of the habit-changing concepts that could be promoted,
encouraged, rewarded and enforced with the help of staff acting as building monitors:
•
•
•
Turn off your computer monitor when not needed for more than 20 minutes - and
computer off when it will not be used for more than 2 hours. Both off before leaving
work evenings and over the weekend.
Equipment draws power even when turned off. It is easier to save when all monitors,
printers and accessories are on a power strip/surge protector. Turn off the switch on
all power strips when equipment will not be in use overnight for an additional 5%
savings – in dollars and emissions.
If not on a power strip, unplug equipment from wall when not in use for extended
periods.
Dramatic budget and emissions reductions will be realized when equipment that is now
routinely left on, but not in use, is turned off particularly at the power strip. Reaching
Cabrillo’s goal of reducing energy use by 15% below 2001-02 levels mean a savings of more
than $125,000 in one year. This will require leadership, participation and support from all
levels of Cabrillo administration, staff, faculty and students.
Cabrillo College is well on its way to achieving important benchmarks related to the AUCPCC
goals, and contributing to a national effort to reduce greenhouse emissions through
operational changes to the physical campus, as well as behavioral and intellectual changes
through student and staff involvement and curricula. Cabrillo’s Climate Action Plan
development process has made it clear there are many exciting and innovative projects on
campus. Many more are planned, all aimed at sustainability and the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions. Cabrillo is taking significant steps toward institutionalizing sustainability into
its business practices and curriculum, as evidenced by the following.
12
Sustainability a Key Part of the Curriculum
Cabrillo faculty has spearheaded a broad curriculum effort to incorporate environmental
issues or issues of ecological literacy into more courses. A recent study shows that
instructors in close to 50 Cabrillo sections currently raise environmental issues in their
classes. These disciplines range from courses where such issues would be expected (e.g.,
biology, meteorology, oceanography), to the less obvious (e.g., English, foreign languages,
culinary arts). At least a dozen courses currently offered at Cabrillo College meet a
substantial number of the criteria proposed to qualify as courses for meeting an Ecological
Literacy requirement. Other curriculum-related efforts included in Cabrillo’s Climate Action
Plan:
o Core Competencies: Specific language concerning environmental issues was instituted into
the “Global Awareness” objective of our Core Four, college-wide student competencies.
o Ecological Literacy: Faculty leaders in this effort have been in the process of creating and
proposing an Ecological Literacy requirement for graduation, using our Multicultural Literacy
Requirement as a template. At least a dozen courses currently offered at Cabrillo College
meet a substantial number of the criteria and would likely qualify as courses for meeting the
Ecological Literacy requirement.
o Environmental Studies Program: Faculty leaders are considering steps toward developing
a more comprehensive Environmental Studies program, including specific certificates and
additional classes.
o New Courses Offered: At least two new courses related to sustainability were offered in
Spring 2008: the Solar Photovoltaic Design course in CEM, and the Sustainable Cultures
course in ANTHR.
o Hands-On Learning Opportunities: Cooperative Work Experience Education (CWEE) units
to students participated in Cabrillo’s first emissions inventory, and will continue to participate
in developing and implementing Cabrillo’s Climate Action Plan. Instructors are working on a
proposal for student participation in the installation of working, grid-tied PV panels on the
Cabrillo campus.
Cabrillo’s 2008-2011 Master Plan includes an objective to “Develop interdisciplinary curricula
for at least four courses with global sustainability, community service, and/or social justice
themes.” The goal is to create four new courses by 2011. To date, ES50: Local
Sustainability Research and Solutions” and HS24: Environmental Health curriculum were
approved February, 2009 as well as the expansion of Anthr19G: Surviving the Future: the
(Re)Emergence of Sustainable Cultures.
More “Flex Week” presentations are planned to help instructors incorporate interdisciplinary
themes of global sustainability, social justice and community service into existing classes.
The Horticulture Department, spearheaded by instructors including CITF member Lisa
McAndrews, is currently installing a paver patio outside the Horticulture Learning Center to
serve as an outdoor classroom and community resource. The plans also will include rain
gardens to reduce storm water runoff, living wall panels on the outside of the Horticulture
Learning Center and rainwater catchment of 9,000 gallons minimum adjacent to the
Horticulture Learning Center, with an additional minimum 1,000 gallons captured and reused
adjacent to & in the greenhouses.
In co-operation with Construction and Energy
Management, a green roof shade structure will be constructed over the new patio. The
Horticulture Department is beginning to explore the requirements for LEED-EB (Leadership in
13
Energy and Environmental Design-Existing Building) Certification as we currently have
various types of permeable paving, responsible irrigation system and practices, integrated
pest management inside and outside of the building, appropriate plant material selection,
stormwater management in the form of a detention pond that holds runoff from the parking
lost and buildings, and soon the features already listed that contribute points to qualify for
LEED status. The Cabrillo Horticulture farm has recently begun to supply food it grows
organically to the Cabrillo Cafeteria, the Culinary Arts program and off-campus store.
The innovative STEEP Summer Energy Academy is a month-long Cabrillo laboratory course
for Cabrillo students and recent high school seniors interested in hands-on learning who want
to gain the skills needed for work in the booming solar, wind and other renewable and
efficient energy fields. Students learn about circuits and the physics and math behind
electricity and energy on a “just-in-time” basis, following the lead of Gerald Herder, of Cal
Poly, Pomona Engineering Department, whose students learn a lot of physics, electrical
theory, practical math and engineering in a solar boat competition. The capstone activity of
the Academy involves a community service project. At the Energy Fair, open to the public,
students display their projects and demonstrate what they have learned about energy
efficiency, conservation and renewable energy sources to create public awareness. This
exciting program offers interesting and useful curriculum, working closely with the Climate
Initiative Task Force to accomplish Cabrillo’s emissions reduction goals.
Grant application submitted January 2010, for Engaged Interdisciplinary Learning in
Sustainability (EILS): Enhancing STEM Education through Social and Technological Literacy
in cooperation with UCSC, to support assistance with integrating new sustainability learning
modules into existing courses; if funded, to begin August 2010.
Transportation Alternatives
A major focus will be on providing greater incentives and tools for Cabrillo staff, faculty and
students to use alternative forms of transportation to the single occupancy vehicle. Student
transportation emissions are of considerable concern, responsible for nearly half of Cabrillo’s
emissions. In response, the Cabrillo Bike Coop was formed by student initiative in the spring
of 2008. The Coop’s mission is “to provide students and the surrounding community with the
tools, space, and education to use bicycles as a means of sustainable, low-cost
transportation…to create a hub for sustainability and petroleum-free transportation at Cabrillo
College.” The Cabrillo Bike Coop was recognized in the 2009 World Wildlife Foundation
Generation E Report as a good example of a student driven campus sustainability effort.
Future plans include obtaining a larger space on campus, more volunteers and increasing
open hours and services.
Transportation alternatives to the single occupancy vehicle (SOV) are needed now more than
ever. Budget cuts have resulted in disincentives to the use of alternatives, including a recent
36% increase in the cost of a student bus. Funding for incentives will be aggressively
explored and existing alternatives promoted and expanded, including Cabrillo’s electric fleet
vehicles, sheriff’s Bike Patrol, exploration into secure funding for RideSpring pilot staff/faculty
alternative transportation incentive program, and aggressive promotion of annual Earth
Week & Bike to School/Work Week activities. Grants will be researched, as well as the
possibility of instituting a “Green Fee” (e.g., $1 per non-exempt student per semester) will be
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explored with the Student Senate and other stakeholders, as a way to fund alternative
transportation incentives and sophisticated ridesharing tools for students, staff and faculty.
Increased Use of Renewable Sources of Energy
Plans to increase use of renewable sources of energy on campus are being developed.
Funds were approved in 2007 by Cabrillo’s College Planning Council (CPC) and the
Governing Board for the development of a Cabrillo Community College District Sustainable
Energy Plan (Appendix E). This plan was reviewed and accepted by the following
components of the College: Climate Initiative Task Force, Facilities Planning and Advisory
Committee, Management Team and College Planning Council. The Energy Plan was
submitted to the Board for information at the August 2009 meeting and was presented at the
September meeting for adoption. The Plan was adopted unanimously by the Governing
Board at its September 14, 2009 meeting. The primary goal is to secure funding to hire an
Energy Manager, even short-term to implement recommendations highlighted in the Plan.
Cabrillo’s current Watsonville construction project sets an exciting tone: expected to open in
September, 2011, the Watsonville Industrial Technology Education Center, (ITEC, see
Appendix G) goes to bid in June, 2010 is designed to Platinum LEED certification. This
project will be the future home of Construction Trade Skills & Energy Management,
specializing in green building technology. These two new buildings totaling 14,000 square
feet will be built to include wind turbines, solar assist hot water systems, photovoltaic panels,
hydronic heating systems, day lighting, natural ventilation, energy efficient HVAC, LED
lighting, heat island effect, native landscaping with no irrigation, nano tech self-cleaning
materials, and passive solar heating. Maintenance & Operations is currently soliciting
proposals for more energy efficient parking lot lighting and lighting control systems.
Conservation and Sustainability Efforts to be Enhanced and Promoted
Cabrillo’s Sustainable Energy Plan includes the following Goals (Appendix E):
1. Energy Efficiency and Conservation will be the highest priority Goal of the Plan as it is
the most cost-effective means to reduce the effects of climate change.
2. Operate all campus buildings and facilities in the most energy efficient manner possible
without endangering public health and safety and without diminishing the quality of
education
3. Work to identify energy efficiency improvement measures to the fullest extent possible,
undertake all necessary steps to seek funding for their implementation and, upon
securing availability of funds, expeditiously implement the measures.
4. The District adopts the following specific energy reductions goals (see Climate Neutrality
Goals, page 12).
5. The District will strive to increase its efficiency goals over time as the campus grows to
encourage continuous improvement.
As funding can be identified and becomes available, one of the most important goals of
Cabrillo’s Sustainable Energy Plan is to designate an Energy Manager…”who will work with
staff, faculty, students and community organizations to identify, implement, and monitor the
effects of energy conservation efforts at the college. The Energy Manager shall establish
guidelines and operating procedures to ensure effective energy management practices and
shall be given the responsibility and authority to carry out energy conservation and utilities
management programs.
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The following existing programs are a sampling of those to be enhanced and aggressively
promoted to meet Cabrillo’s energy efficiency and conservation goals:
Scopes 1 & 2
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
At Cabrillo this includes campus use of natural gas, purchased diesel and gasoline fuel and indirect
emissions from the generation of energy purchased by the college.
New Green Technology Center being built in Watsonville.
Modernization of building energy management systems, including motion sensors and
energy efficient lighting in buildings and parking garages.
Virtual servers now constitute 65% of all Cabrillo’s servers, with the goal of reaching
100%, consuming far less energy than physical servers.
Cabrillo GreenSteps energy conservation campaign.6
Institute and promote Building Monitor program to facilitate and enforce daily power strip
and equipment turn-off.
New curricula and college-wide outcomes aimed at sustainability.
Document imaging, online registration, rosters and other paperless forms available
through WebAdvisor.
Scope 3
Indirect emissions that are a consequence of our choices and activities on campus, at Cabrillo: staff, faculty
and student commute transportation, and waste. We have not assessed college funded air travel.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Electric fleet vehicles.
Alternative transportation education/incentive programs.
Student Bike Co-op and Sustainability Club.
Student Health Services’ Subsidized/Custom-fit Bike Helmet Program.
Sheriff’s Bike Patrol.
Student clubs including the Permaculture Club and Sustainability Alliance
Xeriscape water conservation landscaping.
Aggressive eWaste recycling program.
Culinary Arts program & Taher Campus Dining Services innovations including food
composting program, 100% compostable utensils and to-go plates, local organic produce,
vegetarian and vegan options, and participation in a waste oil/grease recycling program.
Purchase of Horticulture-grown lettuce, tomatoes, basil and more.
• Horticulture Department’s organic hydroponic food program & partnership with Taher
Campus Dining Services.
• Student/food service director partnership to establish Food Service baseline assessment
and calculate current Real Food percentage (Appendix H).
• Clutch [Bicycle] Couriers replaced a portion of the carbon-based transportation services
for delivery of mail to within the County.
• Annual Earth Week & Bike to School Week activities.
• Investigate funding for RideSpring7 alternative transportation incentive program.
• Interactive community website for Cabrillo College Sustainability Alliance and Climate
Initiative Task Force: http://wiserearth.org/group/cabrillosustainability.
• December, 2009 student-initiated implementation of a Cabrillo workplace CSA
(community supported agriculture). Sponsored by Taher Campus Dining Services,
Cabrillo staff, as well as the Cafeteria, now have local, organic produce delivered to
campus dramatically reducing personal “food miles”.
_______________________________________________________________________
6
7
www.CabrilloGreenSteps.org
www.ridespring.com/cabrillo/index.php?func=home
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Cabrillo has taken on the climate change challenge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
below 2001-2002 levels by 2012, and is committed to ultimately reaching climate neutrality.
This commitment remains strong, despite unprecedented growth, construction, and State
budget cuts. Cabrillo continues to increase its commitment to programs, curriculum, research
and Master Plan goals and action plans all designed to model sustainability and reduce our
considerable contribution to climate change. These efforts will be successful thanks to a
strong partnership among Cabrillo administration, faculty, students, staff and our community.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, great thanks go to Dr. Brian King for signing the President’s Climate
Commitment, establishing the Climate Initiative Task Force, and offering leadership and
encouragement to reduce climate change. Enormous thanks also go to Cabrillo’s Governing
Board for its leadership in this critical area, and its unwavering wisdom, support and
dedication to Cabrillo College.
Partnerships among faculty, students, administration and staff greatly strengthened Cabrillo’s
ability to conduct an emissions inventory. Highly technical and creative faculty-led student
projects provided important greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Cabrillo has an abundance
of environmental visionaries among its students, staff, faculty, leadership and community.
Each was critical to the completion of Cabrillo’s first emissions inventory and Climate Action
Plan.
CITF Co-chairs Nicole Crane and Judy Cassada wish to acknowledge the generosity of time,
knowledge, skills and talent offered by busy College staff, including Dominique Hansen,
Assistant to the President; CITF member Joe Nugent, Director of Facilities Planning & Plant
Operations and his assistant Debbie Pozzi; Instructors Karen Groppi and Michelle Merrill;
Craig Hayward, in the Planning & Research Office; Recycling Center Coordinator Tom
Rusconi; Jamie Jaramillo & Sandy Johnson with Taher Campus Dining Services; Sandi
Moore and Sesario Escoto in Student Services, RideSpring founder Paul McGrath, Business
Office staff Becky Sulay, Nita Manglicmot, Judy McAlpin, Lori Amato. Finally, we thank Pat
Borden and Kathy Carter, now retired and greatly missed.
Special thanks to Kristin Fabos and Evelyn Hirsch for their generous gifts of time and talents,
producing and promoting the inspiring GreenSteps artwork and campaigns. Faculty, staff and
students involved in Career Work Experience Education (CWEE) and Energy Academy
projects, CITF members, and dozens of Cabrillo staff persons are to thank for the data
provided in this report.
Appendices available on request:
Appendix A.
Appendix B.
Appendix C.
Appendix D.
Appendix E.
Appendix F.
Appendix G.
Appendix H.
Appendix I.
Appendix J.
Climate Initiative Task Force Members
2008-2011 Climate Commitment-Related Master Plan Strategies
STEEP Energy Academy Project Overview
Cabrillo College Upper Campus Electrical Assessment
Cabrillo College Sustainable Energy Plan
CCC Board of Governors Energy and Sustainability Policy
Watsonville Industrial Technology Education Center (ITEC)
Cabrillo Food Services Sustainability
RideSpring Alternative Transportation Program
Cabrillo GreenSteps Energy Conservation Campaign Materials
page 20
page 21
page 25
page 34
page 56
page 93
page 99
page 119
page 121
page 123
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