Sustainable Solutions
www.aw-bc.com/Withgott
Sustainability on Campus






Effort for sustainability must be
individual
household
community
nation
worldwide
cont.




government, corporations and organizations
must encourage and pursue sustainable
practices
colleges and universities must do so too
$200 billion are spent yearly in products and
services (labs, infrastructure, dorms, food
establishments, sports arena, etc.)
represents a substantial ecological footprint
How to begin



audit your home
sets priorities and goals
heating/cooling, transportation, electricity
consumption, waste, food, water usage
Most Common Efforts


recycling
waste reduction
–
–
–
–
competitions
trash audits
book reuse
composting

$60-100 per
ton of trash
www.aw-bc.com/Withgott
Green Buildings



Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEED)
platinum LEED is the best
new Science building
Sabine Hall (LEED Platinum)
Walls made of concrete
which acts as insulator
Orientation is essential
to have less need of
energy to keep it cool in
summer
Biggest windows face
north
Front side facing North
Panels obstructing south
During summer
South side
Fewer windows and those are shaded while the
hottest time of the day during summer
Corridors have natural light
Greenery will eventually help protect the building
From the hottest days during summer
West side
Small area so sun heating it
doesn’t have a great effect
on the building’s air
temperature
Will be covered by grasses in
summer so the heat from the
light is not that harsh.
Atrium
local/recycled material
Light colors to reflect light
Skylight throughout the building
Classrooms
Light color surfaces
Windows that allow
natural light
bathrooms
Natural light during the day
There is a shower near the
South entrance for those
that come biking or walking
More efficient system
to dry your hands
Urinals with little or no
need of water
greenery
Plants growing on the roof prevent
overheating it. It also helps clean the
air.
Plants that will survive the climate and eventually shade the building
are also found on the southern sector
Water Use Efficiency



rain water
reduction of water use in urinals reduction of
duration of shower (athletes)
usage of brown water
Energy Conservation




thermostats
sleep-mode settings for computers
shut off unused lights
lower the temperature of hot water
Renewable Energy

2nd Solar Decathlon (October 2005)
–
–



18 universities competed
National Mall- Washington D.C.
livestock manure used for energy and recovery of
nutrients and water
solar and wind power already present in many
campuses
carbon offsets can be obtained buying "green tags"
Carbon-neutrality



top priority
American College and University Presidents
Climate Commitment
over 350 colleges/universities as of fall 2007
Dining Services





campus gardens
local produce
biodegradable soaps
kitchen scraps used to make compost
compostable dinnerware
Institutional Purchasing






same idea for any other purchases the
institution does
recycled paper
certified sustainable wood
energy efficient appliances
goods with less packaging
less toxic detergents and paints
Transportation




less polluting
alternative fuel
Rice University in Houston is producing its
own biodiesel
alternative means of transportation inside
campus (bikes, bus, shuttle)
Restoration
–
–
–
–

camp's natural environment
native plants
removal of invasive species
rooftop gardens
Curricular Changes
–
–
–
integration of sustainability in traditional courses
green initiative awards for faculty
innovative green curriculum in some institutions
Sustainability and Sustainable
Development



avoid or mitigate environmental degradation
investing in environmental assets and
management of them
reaching environmental goals
Economy vs. Environment




common view that we cannot protect the
environment and provide for human needs.
command-and-control policies = excessive costs for
the industry
command-and-control policies = restriction of rights
increase of human impact over environment due to
population density

Human Relation with the Environment
www.aw-bc.com/Withgott

Strategies for Sustainability
www.aw-bc.com/Withgott
Time


attitude of 1961 to reach the moon
society collapse
–
Collapse by Jared Diamond

view earth as an island

The End