The petition
"Washington University shall commit to 100% carbon neutrality through reliance on renewable, clean energy sources and a substantial cutback on energy consumption. In addition, as a Wash U community member, I will commit to re-evaluating my lifestyle and habits to significantly reduce my usage of energy, water, and disposable products."
(Abridged description)
Definitions:
o “Carbon Neutral” means Wash U will not have a net contribution of carbon dioxide (carbon emissions) to the environment.
o “Renewable, clean energy sources” refers to hydroelectric, wind, solar, geothermal and biomass energy.
o “Geothermal Energy” is harnessed by using heat naturally stored beneath the Earth’s surface.
o “Biomass” energy is generated by burning organic matter, usually from agricultural or urban waste.
Recent aspects of Wash U’s environmental profile:
Efficiency
Fluorescent bulbs have been replaced with more energy-efficient T8 lamps. Efficiency of the HVAC system has been improved, and boilers have been or are currently being installed in numerous locations on main campus and the South 40 to decrease transfer losses. Also, energy use correlated to heating or cooling of air in buildings has decreased due to recirculation made possible by CO2 detectors in large lecture halls and meeting rooms.
Energy Sources
The power plant on campus switched from coal to more environmentally friendly natural gas. Wash U’s total air emissions decreased by 94% from 1992 to 2003, the last year for which such data was available.
Waste
The percentage of total solid waste recycled remains less than one half of a percent. The total hazardous waste* produced per lab and per individual has increased substantially within the last five years, with the hazardous waste per lab nearly doubling and the hazardous waste per student more than doubling.
Total Energy Consumption
However, total energy consumption has not significantly decreased. In 2005, each person at Wash U was actually consuming about 3716 kWh more energy than individuals in 2001.
The university is currently gathering data to construct a baseline analysis for campus carbon emissions.
*as defined in the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
From:
http://www.eer.wustl.edu/envir...
http://www.eer.wustl.edu/Campu...
What Wash U can do to become a more environmentally conscious and sustainable institution:
1) Investigate and Promote more energy efficient grounds policies.
- Use mowed and watered grass on sports fields only.
- Replace underused grass with drought-resistant, groundcover plants native to our region that will not require mowing, watering or annual replacement.
-Install green roofs and green screens on exterior walls to absorb more carbon dioxide and better insulate buildings.
-Plant more trees, benefits include absorbing carbon dioxide and lessening heat-island effect.
2) Reduce energy usage in existing buildings and infrastructure.
- Install accessible switches for all lights on campus so students and teachers are able to turn off unused lights.
-Divide long circuits of lights into zones, so some can be turned off if full lighting is unnecessary.
-Consider geothermal wells on campus.
-Make recycling bins more accessible.
-Install visible energy meters.
-Establish energy usage limits.
-Purchase Energy Star rated appliances.
-In months of the year when outdoor temperature is tolerable, turn off heating and cooling operations in buildings with operable windows.
-Adjust HVAC systems such that operable windows can be installed in buildings without them.
-Place small signs over light switches reminding people that it is university policy to turn off lights in unused spaces.
-Encourage and actively remind teachers and students to open the blinds and turn off the lights in classrooms whenever possible.
-Disconnect automatically flushing toilets as they waste resources.
-Fleet vehicles should consider alternative fuel sources and not be kept idling.
-Purchase energy from solar panel and wind farms to offset campus carbon footprint, and carbon credits when it is not feasible.
3) Reduce energy and new material consumption in new construction.
-Aim for platinum LEED certification.
-Purchase local recycled, post consumer materials and products.
-Include energy life-cycle analyses of products purchased.
-Daylight such that building does not require artificial lighting during daytime.
-Utilize passive ventilation, solar heating and heat recovery.
-Do not install decorative lighting.
-Avoid unnecessary square footage.
-Reuse and recycle all salvageable building materials before demolishing buildings.
4) Minimize waste.
-Encourage students to bring their own thermoses, forks, spoons and containers for food.
-Start a food-composting program.
-Donate all unused mattresses at the end of the year.
-Increase amount of recyclable materials.
-Discontinue plastic bags in the campus store and Bon Appetit locations.
5) Go above and beyond our suggestions.
What I can do to lead a more environmentally conscious lifestyle:
-Turn off lights when I am the last person to leave any indoor space (unoccupied lecture halls, restrooms, hallways, etc.) in public and private buildings.
-If indoor or outdoor lights are on unnecessarily in public spaces, ask where the switch is and turn them off.
-Switch dorm lights to CFL bulbs.
-Turn off my computer when I am not actively using it.
-Unplug electronics such as televisions, CD and DVD players when not in use; they consume electricity when turned off but plugged in.
-Use my own reusable thermoses, containers, spoons, forks and knives rather than disposable ones.
-Keep blinds open and lights off whenever possible.
-After dark, go to a communal study where many people share lighting.
-Choose biking, walking or public transport instead of personal vehicles.
-Take shorter showers and do not leave water running when not actively using it.
-Dress appropriately for weather to reduce heating needs.
-Avoid purchasing things that cannot be reused or recycled.
-Recycle paper, plastic, batteries, etc. according to campus guidelines.
-Wash plastic containers from campus food services and put them in co-mingle bins.
-Reuse or donate unneeded possessions or food at the end of the year rather than throwing them away.
-Eat vegetarian at least one day a week.
-Unplug refrigerator and electronics before leaving for breaks.
-Use cold water to wash clothes.
-Dry clothes on a rack rather than in a dryer.
-Go above and beyond these suggestions!
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