The Carrot SticksCreate Interdisciplinary “Building Assessment” Green Teams, and a Standard Assessment Model

Make “going green” cool/fashionable

Smart Refrigeration System (SRS)

The Rensselaericle

Create Interdisciplinary “Building Assessment” Green Teams, and a

Standard Assessment Model Focus: assessing the performance and use of a building,

via more holistic approach Team conducts multi-faceted analysis Develop a Standard Assessment Model Apply for grant (Stimulus Package, NSF, NYSERDA etc.)

Specific to bio-limatic assessment and retrofitting of older buildings

ImpactEnvironment: Project dependent thus potential impact is

largeEconomic: Project dependentCulture: Train and grow awareness among group and

building occupants Pay-Back

Dependent on extent and type of retrofit identified FeedbackThe Carrot Sticks Create Interdisciplinary Green Teams 8 L S N/A L M Volunteers Facilities

Focus: Holistic building assessment

Departs from piece-meal, ‘quick-fix’, heavy-handed approaches to building renovation (e.g., replace all windows, replace all light bulbs, replace all plumbing fixtures)

Examines the interplay of multiple additional factors and data

Team would conduct a multi-faceted analysis

Bioclimatic analysis: energy use/performance of building systemsHow much do existing systems take into account

the external environment? (wait for SRS)Account for:

Solar energy presenceWind flowsTemperature swings (diurnal, seasonal, etc.)

Occupancy flows (uses of the building during the course of the day; uses in different seasons; changes in use in past decades)

Make Sustainability Cool

Publicize/promote outstanding sustainable productsShowcase/advertise sustainable behaviors/practices

Impact:Culture: Foster positive attitudes towards the

environmental implications of social behaviorsEconomic: Minimal…advertising. Word of mouth, actionEnvironment: Once the ball gets rolling….

Who will implement?Admin., IWSTF, SSTF, and everyone

Feedback…

Driving a Sustainability Culture President Jackson is ‘far and away’ the most

influential voice on campusOnly person whose decisions/leadership automatically

gets resultsIn consultation with Dr. Jackson, develop

strategies for driving a sustainability cultureInspiration: a slogan with the impact of “Yes We Can!”Aspiration : set clear goals, with metrics and monitoringCommunication: continue the SSTF’s model of

collaborative knowledge-building, networking and idea-mining

Motivation: publicize achievements to create the desire for others to emulate success

Examples

Example: Campus retailers or organizations (e.g., Student Senate) offer subsidies to clubs or teams who buy sustainable products and materials and use sustainable practices/processes

Example: request “sustainable product reviews” from Statler & Waldorf and/or The Poly

Examples Cont.

Example: use the central sustainability information website as an advertising venue“Top Ten Sustainable Products”“Product of the Week”

Example: provide display area (showcase or central sustainability area)

Example: The Rensselaer “Eco-Button™”

USB-connected energy counter/hibernator for computersInstantly hibernates computer at near-zero energy consumptionInstantly re-awakens at “wherever you left off”

First screen shows money saved, energy savedRensselaer logo printed on the button

Purchase at reduced rate through Voorhees Computer CenterAdd to computing package sold to incoming students

Could use coupon to be redeemed at the VCCSell to faculty and staff

Use fliers and coupons to advertiseProvide free for a limited timeCan also purchase additional buttons

Advanced use: develop additional software to track and display the savings by class, by school, etc.

Product currently available at: www.buzline.com

Example: Annual Sustainability Awards/Appreciation Dinner

Awards for best sustainability courses

Awards for best sustainability research

Showcase innovative technologies

Recognition of best practices (emphasizing ‘operations’ at Rensselaer)

Could incorporate speaker or presentations on innovative technologies

Example: Club for “Recycled Art”

Group focused on creating art made of recycled material.

Intended to be displayed in public spaces.Would provide venue for creative students Easy to set up due to pre-existing

environmental awareness clubs.

Example: Sponsor Intramural Sports Teams

Select several intramural sports teams to represent a sustainability theme.

Provide free themed t-shirts, water bottles, etc.

Consciousness raising.Analogous to Vasudha.

Research Project: Smart Refrigeration System (SRS)

Eco-Refrigerator integrated into building wall to cool with outside air in winterReduce energy consumptionReduce the use of freonUse indoor and outdoor thermostat to

control switching of cooling systemDischarge off-heat to outside the

building in summer (to reduce air-conditioning costs)Discharge to inside the building in

winter

RensselaericleThe “Rensselaericle”: transforming the American auto

industryGoal: to address the entire life cycle of transportation

carbon emissionsBy creating a new, low-emissions (electric vehicle), but ALSOBy doing away with “consumable” or “throw-away” cars and trucks

Underlying problem: U.S. metropolitan models are decentralized; therefore the European approach to urban public transportation is cost-inhibitive for most U.S. locationsAmericans love “individual” freedom: they are addicted to “a car for

every person”Also addicted to consumerism – always wanting “the latest style”Result: a new car every year or two (or five)

Greatest carbon emission is not gas mileage, but auto manufacturing/embodied energy

Solution: create a modular car, with a “core to last a lifetime” (20-30 year life) Base model: galvanized metal, slate gray, simple shape

Simple, durable interior design Independent electric motors at every wheel (regenerative breaking) Central ‘power-box’ where electricity is generated

Add-ons: exterior body panels (e.g., make it a Cadillac, Ferrari, or Buick) Similar ‘upgrades’ for interior All using interchangeable parts

Power source: as new technology (e.g., upgraded batteries, fuel cell, LNG) come on the market, the owner changes the power source, NOT the car

Result: satisfies consumer desire for a “new car” with a fraction of the manufacturing costs – in terms of both economics and carbon emissions Used parts can be exchanged, re-used “Core” could also be expanded (e.g., from 2-seat to 4-seat module) by unbolting and inserting an

add-on section Basic “core/skeleton” remains unchanged

Note: could devastate the auto industry, which is based economically on frequent, wasteful replacement with a new model Current timing – with the auto industry already undergoing major overhaul – is ideal

Rensselaericle

ImpactEnvironmental: Greatest carbon emissions

reduction possibleEconomic: Flip economics of auto industryCulture: Dispose of throw away mentality…

Who will implement?

The Carrot Sticks The Rensselyrical 73 H L L H H Existing Research

Rensselaericle

The full line upThe Carrot Sticks Recycled Art Club 17 N M N/A L H Existing Awareness

The Carrot Sticks Sponsor Intramural Sports Teams 3 L S N/A L M Existing Awareness

The Carrot Sticks Publicize Fashionable Sustainable Products 6 L M N/A L M Existing Awareness

The Carrot Sticks Annual Sustainability Awards Dinner 19 M S N/A L M/H Existing Awareness

The Carrot Sticks Implement Green Buttons 25 M S N/A M M Existing Energy

The Carrot SticksApply for Stimulus Money for Retrofitting Buildings 29 N S N/A M M Existing Facilities

The Carrot Sticks Enhance FIXX to Include Sustainability 27 L M M M M Volunteers Facilities

The Carrot Sticks Create Interdisciplinary Green Teams 8 L S N/A L M Volunteers Facilities

The Carrot Sticks Green Purchasing Policy 15 N M N/A M M Existing Procurement

The Carrot Sticks Exterior Building Refrigeration Envelope 11 H L L M L Existing Research

The Carrot Sticks The Rensselyrical 73 H L L H H Existing Research

The Carrot Sticks Bicycle Rental Stations 34 H M L L L ExistingTransportatio

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