engaging the rit campus in sustainability
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Engaging the RIT Campus in Sustainability . Defining Sustainability. Is it one of those “I know it when I see it” things?. “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ENGAGING THE RIT CAMPUS IN SUSTAINABILITY
Defining SustainabilityIs it one of those “I know it when I see it” things?
“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
- Brundtland Commission, “Our Common Future”
Food for Thought
The average American generates 1600lbs of trash annually (that’s 4.4lbs/day)!
The typical food product we consume travels 1500 miles before reaching our table.
In the last century, 90% of all large fish have disappeared from the ocean.
The Colorado River no longer reaches the Pacific Ocean
Source: http://www.zerowaste.org
Earth Image: NASAPopulation chart: SUSPS
Source: http://www.vspop.org/htm/cartoons.htm
Green… Sustainable… Aren’t They the Same Thing?
At RIT
Campus
Classroom
Community
Connect
RIT Sustainability
Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System
Category 1: Education & Research (ER)Co-Curricular EducationCurriculumResearch
Category 2: Operations (OP)BuildingsClimateDining ServicesEnergyGroundsPurchasingTransportationWasteWater
Category 3: Planning, Admin. & Engagement Coordination and PlanningDiversity and AffordabilityHuman ResourcesInvestmentPublic Engagement
Category 4: Innovation (IN)
Academics Degree programs and concentrations Golisano Institute for Sustainability Institute for Business Ethics and Corporate
Social Responsibility Sustainable University IdeaLab P3 Working Group Journal of Environmental Sustainability
Outreach Clinton Global Initiative Commitment NYSP2I Community/University Partnership Future Stewards Program International Campuses Rochester City Scholars Program Clean Energy Incubator
Operations Climate Commitment Waste Reduction Local Foods LEED Buildings Active Transportation Initiatives Green Cleaning FSC Certified Print Shop Metrics within Procurement
Current Initiatives
Dining 34% of overall purchases are locally sourced Fair trade coffee available Trayless dining and reusable mugs
Waste Reduction Single stream recycling Landscape waste composting Recycling electronics, ink and
toner cartridges, lamps…..
Current Initiatives Cont. Transportation
Increased bike paths and bike parking Shuttle service Low emission vehicle parking Alternative fueled vehicles
Buildings Commitment to LEED Silver or better Existing building retro-commissioning project
Current Initiatives Cont. Energy
Centralized heating and cooling systems Lighting retrofits Building Automation System Increased metering
Climate Commitment Annual GHG Inventories Climate Action Plan (CAP)
GHG Inventory 2009 – baseline year
Scope 1 & 2: 49,641 metric tons of CO2e Scope 3: 35,996 metric tons of CO2e Net Total: 85,637 metric tons of CO2e
2010 Scope 1 & 2: 44,791 metric tons of CO2e Scope 3: 30,436 metric tons of CO2e Offsets: 2,548 metric tons of CO2e Net Total: 72,679 metric tons of CO2e
•Facilities
•Food Service
•Grounds
•Outreach
•Purchasing
•Recycling
•Transportation
Focus Areas
Climate Action Plan
Going Forward Save resources (financial and natural)!!! Develop baseline data and establish metrics Increase student engagement Expand opportunities for collaboration Leverage purchasing and work with suppliers Make it easy (office and events certifications) Encourage behavior change
Source: http://hotrock-sustainabilityeducation.blogspot.com
Enid L. Cardinal, LEED APSenior Sustainability Advisor to the President
Rochester Institute of Technology585-475-7942
" We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein