tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21781791167955221502024-03-13T14:35:41.597-04:00Garnet Goes GreenUSustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-43563006509884312802014-06-04T15:03:00.002-04:002014-06-04T15:03:57.230-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-17131588053084025752014-05-29T05:46:00.000-04:002014-05-29T09:28:31.463-04:00Denying science versus debating policyCalls for a national policy to combat the causes of climate change - namely the accumulation of carbon in the atmosphere - are intensifying, as major scientific and governmental organizations such as the <a href="http://whatweknow.aaas.org/">American Association for the Advancement of Science </a>and the <a href="http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg2/">UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change </a>have sought to highlight the established scientific facts, the changes that are already occurring, and to highlight the significant risks we could face in the near future.<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEOyQWZuN5Q/U4b3J-h8UbI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ChMph_RBUuM/s1600/antarctica-map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qEOyQWZuN5Q/U4b3J-h8UbI/AAAAAAAAAGA/ChMph_RBUuM/s1600/antarctica-map.jpg" height="199" width="200" /></a><br />
Earlier this month, two different groups of scientists<a href="http://news.sciencemag.org/climate/2014/05/west-antarctic-ice-sheet-collapsing"> reported results that indicate that the collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet is essentially inevitable</a>. Such a collapse would result in sea level rise of more than 3 meters.<br />
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And next week <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/us/politics/governments-await-obamas-move-on-carbon-to-gauge-us-climate-efforts.html?_r=0">President Obama and the US Environmental Protection Agency is expected to announce new EPA regulations </a>designed to reduce carbon pollution from existing coal-fired power plants.<br />
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Enter Amy Ridenour, a syndicated columnist who, on May 23rd, 2014, published an Op-Ed in the Schenectady Gazette in which she listed the "Top 10 reasons why Congress should ignore advice to pass major legislation to combat climate change." (The Gazette doesn't have a link to their version; but <a href="http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/a-power-grab-by-political-con-artists-b99274846z1-260191601.html">here</a> is a link to essentially the same article via the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel).<br />
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How the US and the world should confront the threat of climate change is a complex question, and one that is worthy of debate. Should Congress pass a comprehensive <a href="http://www.epa.gov/captrade/">Cap-and-Trade</a> system or <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB122826696217574539">Carbon Tax </a>to create market incentives for reducing carbon pollution? Should we rely on Executive-branch regulations like the EPA's rules about <a href="http://www2.epa.gov/carbon-pollution-standards/regulatory-actions">powerplants</a> and <a href="http://www.epa.gov/otaq/standards.htm">autos</a>? Or, alternatively, should we do nothing? - for example if the cost of such policies to our economy <a href="http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/e8d011fa-b8b5-11e3-835e-00144feabdc0.html#axzz335uNJPMu">are too expensive when compared to the future costs of dealing with the effects of climate change</a>.<br />
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I have my own thoughts. Amy Ridenour has her own thoughts. By all means, let's have a public debate about what we should do. Let's let those who believe in an activist government face off with those who have a more libertarian bent. But that debate must begin with the acceptance of the scientific facts - that the climate is warming and that humans are responsible.<br />
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And that is where Ms. Ridenour's piece went wrong.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; text-align: left;">Source: </span><span style="font-family: sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 15.600000381469727px;">http://data.giss.nasa.gov/gistemp/graphs_v3/</span></span></div>
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She led off her Top-10 list with a whopper at #1: "The world isn't warming." She adopted the well-worn tactic of the Climate Denier community of cherry-picking the >100 year temperature record to select the particular starting point - the late 1990's - that shows little warming. In fact, when the full range of historical temperature records is presented, one cannot help but conclude that the Earth is warming.<br />
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My response was to publish a Letter to the Editor to the Schenectady Gazette, in which <a href="http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2014/may/23/0523_pprrint/">I called her to task for denying that the world is warming</a>. And, I had some fun pointing to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cjuGCJJUGsg">John Oliver's "Statistically Representative" climate debate</a>, in which the balance of scientific opinion is accurately represented by 97 scientists vs. 3 climate deniers.<br />
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<a href="http://www.conservativeblog.org/amyridenour/2014/5/24/new-yorks-union-college-tuition-60000-a-year-uses-comedy-sho.html">Ms. Ridenour had her fun</a>, too:<br />
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Well played, Ms. Ridenour. Well played.<br />
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But let's move on. I would happily listen to the debate about <i>which</i> policy approach is the best. Let's hear economists like Richard Tol debate Nicholas Stern about how we should price present-day action versus future disruptions. Let's compare a market approach like Cap-and-Trade to a carbon tax in terms of which one works best and has the smallest impact on the economy.<br />
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But we must start with the acceptance of the scientific facts. Though Ms. Ridenour rails against the use of the "97% of scientists" figure, the existence of climate change and the role of humans is accepted by virtually every major scientific society including <a href="http://whatweknow.aaas.org/">AAAS</a>, the <a href="http://nas-sites.org/americasclimatechoices/">National Academy of Science</a>, and the <a href="http://sciencepolicy.agu.org/files/2013/07/AGU-Climate-Change-Position-Statement_August-2013.pdf">American Geophysicists' Union</a>.<br />
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I suspect that writers like Ms. Ridenour begin their analysis of climate science with a distaste for the prescriptions: They don't like the prospect of policies that will increase the price of energy and likely act as a drag on our economy, and so they search for faults with the science. But that's not the way it works.<br />
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Accept the science. Then let's debate the policy.<br />
<br />Jeff Corbinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812727081682193209noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-80009677606207419982014-05-08T12:11:00.000-04:002014-05-09T10:51:00.827-04:00Bike to Work/School Day, Friday 5/16<br />Once again it is that time of year for bike to work/school day (5/16) to promote bicycle commuting as a green alternative to driving as well as the general fitness benefits of riding a bike.<br /><br />We would like to encourage anyone all who are able to bike to and from work/school on the 16th and if you decide to ride please sign up to help bolster our numbers (this is a competition after all!). Use this link to register:<br /><br /><a href="http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcapitalmoves.org%2Fb2w518%2F&h=BAQHXRkvb&enc=AZMLKj-Rp8Mt-Xp00FuQDqyW3L4SORNxlroJnDzjtskVBIwXrKABwwSrKQcsHG2pWaYZu73RG7uMwpqmPY1rBs2Mzta_sSZgxK_ersUfgoL0_YLaXNFw1odJUyIj8uCf8isQukkj5TB_0qQPUtIlbp6J&s=1">http://capitalmoves.org/b2w518/</a><br /><br />Celebratory breakfast for our cyclists on Friday 5/16 made possible by the Bicycle Advisory Committee & Human Resources. Location/Time TBD.<br /><br /><br /><br />To stay updated on cycling events & infrastructure on & off campus visit <a href="http://muse.union.edu/cycling">muse.union.edu/cycling</a><div>
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USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-32549961915975557632014-05-05T15:27:00.000-04:002014-05-05T15:33:13.304-04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>What Happened at Union </u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>for </u></b></span><b style="color: #38761d; font-size: xx-large;"><u>Earth Week 2014:</u></b><br />
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<b><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: large;">A photo timeline of our events!</span></b><br />
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;"><b>Monday </b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;">Schenectady Greenmarket comes to U!</span></div>
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The Peanut Principle with over 50 varieties of peanut and nut butters.</div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: x-large;"><b>Tuesday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Zero Out on Plate Waste Part I </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">and Bicycle Repair Expo </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">by BAC Action Group of U-Sustain</span></div>
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How much food waste does Union generate?</div>
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We found out by weighing the food waste in West dining during the lunch period.</div>
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On Tuesday during lunch, the average was .17 lbs wasted per person.</div>
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We can do better!</div>
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Andrew Parnes '17 is the head of the Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC), </div>
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U-Sustain's newest action group.</div>
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He will be organizing events and fix it workshops as well as making </div>
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u-locks and helmets available for rent in the library.</div>
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Let's make Union a safe and bike friendly campus!</div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;"><b>Wednesday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">Ozone House puts on a clothing swap </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">in honor of Earth Week </span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232; font-size: large;">and in support of Malawi Mommy Bags Project</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: x-large;"><b>Thursday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">Zero Out on Plate Waste Part II</span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">and Ban Bottled Water Day </span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;">by Ban Bottled Water Action Group of U-Sustain</span></div>
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Part II of Zero Out on Plate Waste, you receive a gold star for cleaning your plate </div>
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and signage about food waste in put up in the dining hall.</div>
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Waste reduction of .01lbs/person during the lunch period </div>
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which may not seem like a lot, but is an important first step!</div>
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The Ban Bottled Water Action Group of U-Sustain tabling at Reamer to</div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-large;"><b>Friday</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">"I Commit" and </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">launch of Green Your Event Checklist </span></div>
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<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">and info by the Green Events Team of U-Sustain</span></div>
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<br />USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-31495871137941622082014-04-17T20:16:00.000-04:002014-04-17T20:16:01.921-04:00<br />
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<br />USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-87260330175399561712014-03-27T13:25:00.002-04:002014-03-27T13:25:36.063-04:00Lady Liberty Goes Green!<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4yG9fiAKPg/UzRe9LVDFgI/AAAAAAAAArE/QTqVw8HjCLE/s1600/Statue+of+Liberty.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-e4yG9fiAKPg/UzRe9LVDFgI/AAAAAAAAArE/QTqVw8HjCLE/s1600/Statue+of+Liberty.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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A recent visit to
Liberty Island was most impressive. Lady Liberty was grand and the history fascinating.
For example – did you know that the statue is made of copper only as thick as
two pennies pressed together? I didn’t! But because I wasn’t expecting it, I
was absolutely blown away by Liberty Island’s environmental record. Their
approach is multifaceted including building practices, energy monitoring
purchasing, food/beverage sourcing, water conservation and waste reduction
efforts.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>So I wondered….how does Union compare? Would someone be as impressed
when they visit our campus?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Environmentally friendly approach to ……<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Liberty Island<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Union College<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b>Electricity<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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100% Green Power User Renewable Energy
Certificates (RECs) purchased to support electricity generation equivalent to
Liberty Island’s consumption via wind power.<o:p></o:p></div>
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100% Green Power User<o:p></o:p></div>
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Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
purchased to support electricity generation equivalent to Union College’s
consumption via wind power.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Lighting<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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All lights are turned off each night!<o:p></o:p></div>
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With the exception of lighting for
safety/security academic and administrative buildings turn their lights out
each night. Lighting controls are used wherever applicable to reduce
consumption.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Heating
& Cooling<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Geothermal heating and cooling reducing
energy demand by 35%<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Geothermal wells are utilized for
summer reheats in the Peter Irving Wold Center & for dehumidification in
the Schaffer Library. Geothermal is also the sole source of heating for the
Kelly Adirondack Center.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Water
Conservation<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Rainwater collection that reduces water
usage by 40%<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Water sensors on high efficiency sinks
and toilets<o:p></o:p></div>
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Waterless urinals – saves 395,000
gallons water/year<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rainwater collection fulfills most
watering needs for Octopus’ Garden.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Installation of low flow showerheads,
high efficiency toilets and sinks with new construction/renovation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
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<b>Waste
Diversion<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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94%<o:p></o:p></div>
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32%<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Green
Building<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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LEED platinum Gift Pavilion (ex: 43% of building materials with
recycled content)<o:p></o:p></div>
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LEED Gold Peter Irving Wold Center.
(20% of building materials with recycled content)<o:p></o:p></div>
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All new construction & renovation
is built to LEED standard.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Equipment
Standards<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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All new equipment is Energy Star
qualified.<o:p></o:p></div>
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New appliances/computers are Energy
Star or EPEAT Gold whenever possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cleaning
Products<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
All Green Seal cleaning products!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
100% recycled paper products<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Green Seal products used wherever
effective. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
100% recycled paper products<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Beverages<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Organic, free trade, shade grown coffee<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Aspretto by Sodexo is 100% ethically
sourced coffee and tea<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Produce<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
All produce is either organic or
locally grown<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
All produce used for Ozone Café &
O3 Marketplace is either locally grown or organic.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
All product grown in Octopus’ Garden is
organic.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Packaging<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Condiment pump system instead of
individual packets eliminated >3 million condiment packets/year<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Condiment pump system used in all
dining locations. Packets are used only when necessary at events.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Dining
Ware<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Disposable coffee cups with a corn
starch lining rather than plastic, biodegradable, compostable & chlorine
free – always composted never sent to the landfill. All other dining ware is
reusable on Liberty island.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
100% of dining ware used in resident
dining halls is reusable. China is also available upon request for your
event.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
Majority of disposable dining ware used
on campus is compostable and composting occurs at all resident dining
locations as well as upon request for events.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<b>Awards/Recognition<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
2012 Sustainability Award & 2012 Innovator of the Year from
National Restaurant Association, 2001-2005 WasteWise Award from the US Environmental
Protection Agency, 2002 US Department of the Interior Environmental
Achievement Award & Certified Green Restaurant in 2002.<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 159.6pt;" width="213"><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
2013 & 2014 EPA Green Power
Leadership Club, 2012-2013 EPA College & University Green Power Challenge
winner for Liberty League, Participant in the Energy Star Low Carbon IT
Program, 2011 & 2012 Recyclemania Per Capita Classic and Cardboard
Winners, 2014 NEEP award recipient<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Liberty Island ‘s footprint may be small but their impact is great on 4 million
visitors per year. Lady Liberty standing up for freedom and sustainability – a model
for us all.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Thank you to the
National Parks Service for all that you do!<o:p></o:p></div>
USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-77239352166144060532014-03-11T14:27:00.000-04:002014-03-11T14:27:17.685-04:00DIITD Results: Congratulations Communications!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Communications at 69 University has won Union's Do It in the Dark competition with an overall reduction of 37.7%!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Below is an image of the final results.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://buildingdashboard.net/union/" target="_blank">Click here to go to view the results of the competition on the dashboard.</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYGqcFHAuLs/Ux9R-RQ9owI/AAAAAAAAAp4/aRQbNJ3c-os/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-10+at+11.49.19+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pYGqcFHAuLs/Ux9R-RQ9owI/AAAAAAAAAp4/aRQbNJ3c-os/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-03-10+at+11.49.19+AM.png" height="315" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On Monday, March 10, 2014 we went to </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">congratulate those who work Communications...</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNxK7NFKrxY/Ux9S7Y6heaI/AAAAAAAAAqY/ajDlKLN9jXY/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eNxK7NFKrxY/Ux9S7Y6heaI/AAAAAAAAAqY/ajDlKLN9jXY/s1600/IMG_0831.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQUW7m23rPA/Ux9S5FcbjxI/AAAAAAAAAqA/WArN3Ft4VjM/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQUW7m23rPA/Ux9S5FcbjxI/AAAAAAAAAqA/WArN3Ft4VjM/s1600/IMG_0828.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We brought them a banner and a cake!</span></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxtNIoR2dIA/Ux9S5U2zbDI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Y9Re-R9_DFY/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dxtNIoR2dIA/Ux9S5U2zbDI/AAAAAAAAAqE/Y9Re-R9_DFY/s1600/IMG_0830.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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Meghan presented the office with an invitation to the first U-Sustain meeting of spring term (Wednesday, April 9) to officially receive their plaque and prize.<br />
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<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zdCos3Rn5o/Ux9S8kw4HtI/AAAAAAAAAqc/eiUetzRefys/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6zdCos3Rn5o/Ux9S8kw4HtI/AAAAAAAAAqc/eiUetzRefys/s1600/IMG_0836.JPG" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>How did they reduce their energy use by 37.7%? Well, they said that they turned the heat down in the entire building. They turned the heat off in the bathrooms. </b></div>
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<b>And, they turned their lights off whenever possible. </b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Congratulations Communications!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">We applaud your inspiring energy and efforts in taking the steps to reduce your energy use.</span></b></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xatTmfIZLBA/Ux9S80r6xkI/AAAAAAAAAqo/ap-G2vL7dbs/s1600/IMG_0842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xatTmfIZLBA/Ux9S80r6xkI/AAAAAAAAAqo/ap-G2vL7dbs/s1600/IMG_0842.JPG" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-15849887753000529652014-02-28T11:27:00.001-05:002014-02-28T11:31:06.733-05:00How is Union Doing in Do it in the Dark?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YP3itTgVuY/UxC2bnsi-ZI/AAAAAAAAApo/KLvuDSBOqUE/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6YP3itTgVuY/UxC2bnsi-ZI/AAAAAAAAApo/KLvuDSBOqUE/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+2.png" height="235" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some suggestions to reduce electricity use: </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Replace your incandescent light bulbs with Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs)</span></div>
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Turn off the lights when you leave the room</div>
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Unplug chargers, printers, and other electronic devices when they are not in use</div>
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</div>
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<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">What is Do it in the Dark?</span></div>
As a participant of Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN), a 3-week electricity conservation competition program known on campus as Do It In the Dark (DIITD), we have <a href="http://buildingdashboard.net/union/#/union" target="_blank">this online platform</a> that displays participating buildings' electricity consumption. Check your buildings standings compared to others on campus as well Union's standing in comparison to other NY6 schools. NY6 schools include Colgate University, St. Lawrence University, Hamilton College & Hobart and William Smith Colleges.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">As of 2/28/14.... (one week left in the competition)</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6J-pasH0Vio/UxC2IiiZnaI/AAAAAAAAApg/2QX32DZH7XY/s1600/DIITD.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6J-pasH0Vio/UxC2IiiZnaI/AAAAAAAAApg/2QX32DZH7XY/s1600/DIITD.png" height="320" width="313" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly7POkJZO5o/UxC0-A0059I/AAAAAAAAApA/Qs2V-ui_WHA/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+2.1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ly7POkJZO5o/UxC0-A0059I/AAAAAAAAApA/Qs2V-ui_WHA/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+2.1.png" height="320" width="315" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofXfmeSPtlY/UxC0-WtvJBI/AAAAAAAAAo4/H3g2pNIQao0/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+2.3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ofXfmeSPtlY/UxC0-WtvJBI/AAAAAAAAAo4/H3g2pNIQao0/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+2.3.png" height="320" width="312" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">To keep updated about the competition, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">go to the building dashboard </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">http://buildingdashboard.net/union/#/union</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3prGDIazJBE/UxCyVi3l3VI/AAAAAAAAAog/pRm9bRL_jLM/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3prGDIazJBE/UxCyVi3l3VI/AAAAAAAAAog/pRm9bRL_jLM/s1600/DIITD+screenshot+3.png" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
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USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-29716046130065733532014-02-27T12:36:00.001-05:002014-02-28T10:46:30.619-05:00How is Union Doing? Updates on Recyclemania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><u>Recyclemania Quick Facts</u></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">
<br />What: a recycling competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus. <br /><br />Where: Colleges and universities in the US and Canada, including Union College.<br /> <br />When: Feb 2 - March 29 (8 weeks)</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-2r2LRjwwA/Uw93VqRV5cI/AAAAAAAAAoM/ldMmUoOYg9I/s1600/RM_logo_2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s-2r2LRjwwA/Uw93VqRV5cI/AAAAAAAAAoM/ldMmUoOYg9I/s1600/RM_logo_2014.jpg" height="232" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Some Results: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Food Service Organics</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> pounds of food composted / person</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZz9yknMs-E/Uw9porZwNLI/AAAAAAAAAnw/O0BLuqykbzY/s1600/food+waste.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nZz9yknMs-E/Uw9porZwNLI/AAAAAAAAAnw/O0BLuqykbzY/s1600/food+waste.jpg" height="326" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The standings as of 2/27/14. Union is in first place for Food Service Organics <br />with 6.547 lbs. of food composted per person.<br /><i>Hint: zoom in on your browser to better see graph </i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">What does this mean? </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Well, it means that we do a good job composting. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">But, it also means that we are wasting a lot of food on campus. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While food waste is generated in the kitchens during food preparation, much of the food waste we generate is from the consumer end, mainly students in the dining halls. In the spring term U-Sustain will be working on ways to raise awareness about food waste and campaign to reduce our food waste. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here are some food waste facts from the <a href="http://www.unep.org/wed/quickfacts/" target="_blank">United Nations Environment Programme </a></span></div>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roughly one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year — approximately 1.3 billion tonnes — gets lost or wasted.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the United States 30% of all food, worth US$48.3 billion (€32.5 billion), is thrown away each year. It is estimated that about half of the water used to produce this food also goes to waste, since agriculture is the largest human use of water. (Jones, 2004 cited in Lundqvist et al., 2008)</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the USA, organic waste is the second highest component of landfills, which are the largest source of methane emissions. <b><span style="color: red;">(This is why composting is so important!!)</span></b></span></li>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Per Capita Classic</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">total amount of paper, cardboard, bottles, and cans collected </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">on a per person basis</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGqJDRjBtfM/Uw9zm9cLh5I/AAAAAAAAAoA/gvkDd3qAi2g/s1600/recycle.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wGqJDRjBtfM/Uw9zm9cLh5I/AAAAAAAAAoA/gvkDd3qAi2g/s1600/recycle.png" height="225" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The standings of the Per Capital Classic as of 2/27/14, sorted by state.<br />Union ranks 37th overall and 6th in New York State<br /><i>Hint: zoom in on your browser to better see graph</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To learn more about Recyclemania and to look at the standings, </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">visit <a href="http://recyclemaniacs.org/">recyclemaniacs.org</a></span></div>
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At the end of the competition, there will be a final post about our results compared to past years. :)</div>
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USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-75769697201980366652014-02-20T13:13:00.004-05:002014-02-20T13:13:52.512-05:00Pizza, Politics, and Environmental Activism: students are encouraged to plant seeds and be a little more patient<div style="text-align: right;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EVgqkrfaFLY/UwWFXSeXm9I/AAAAAAAAAmM/2JNd7YTNx2k/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EVgqkrfaFLY/UwWFXSeXm9I/AAAAAAAAAmM/2JNd7YTNx2k/s1600/IMG_0632.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left; text-indent: 0.5in;">
By Marissa Peck</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">On Tuesday, February 19</span><sup style="text-indent: 0.5in;">th</sup><span style="text-indent: 0.5in;">
2014 over thirty students squeezed into a classroom in the basement of Lippman
hall for a Pizza and Politics panel on Environmental Activism. Members from Pi
Sigma Alpha- Union’s political science group-the Environmental Club, and Ozone
House were in attendance. The panel consisted of Political Science Professor
Tony Dell’Aera, Electraical Engineering Professor Robert Smith, and David Higby,
the Director of Federal Government Relations of the Nature Conservancy. After a
brief introduction by the panelists, Zach Jonas ’14 only had to ask one
question, and the students and panelists took it from there for the almost hour
long meeting: What is the role of activism, specifically environmental
activism, in policy change?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6RfLhuzFkY/UwWFXzeYhqI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Iiax9Q7-u0E/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z6RfLhuzFkY/UwWFXzeYhqI/AAAAAAAAAmQ/Iiax9Q7-u0E/s1600/IMG_0634.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zach Jonas '14 introducing the panel. Professor Dell'Aera<br />is on the far left, David Hibgy is in the middle, <br />and Professor Smith is on the right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Professor Dell’Aera began by
explaining that our political system was slow moving and that it is difficult
to change the status quo. Policy change must be compatible with the political
system, and activism is key in providing a vision of the future that favors
policy makers as well as the activists’ mission. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
David Higby spoke from his experience
as a lobbyist, who does not use money or bribery, but who does represent the
values and beliefs of the Nature Conservancy. He used previous examples of
policy changes that environmentalists hold dear to their hearts: the Clean Air
Act of 1963 and the Clean Water Act of 1972. These two pieces of legislation
were major steps forward in environmental policy, and they were made possible
by activists. Policy makers responded to public demands for cleaner water and
air. These two laws were passed when many people doubted they ever would be,
just as many doubted that women would realize suffrage or desegregation would
be achieved in the U.S.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g-nBivDbL4/UwWF_yfJS-I/AAAAAAAAAm0/7kMXlRzu2y0/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3g-nBivDbL4/UwWF_yfJS-I/AAAAAAAAAm0/7kMXlRzu2y0/s1600/IMG_0647.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Del'lAera explaining the current political situation<br />on Capitol Hill.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Today, partisanship has changed and
environmentalism is seen as a ‘special interest’ instead of a general interest
topic that crosses party lines. According to Higby, this extreme polarization
that we are seeing today on Capitol Hill has to do with widespread
gerrymandering, or the (successful) attempts to establish a political advantage
for a particular party by manipulating district boundaries to create
advantageous districts for a certain party. This gerrymandering has created a
gridlock, and the push for environmental policy is becoming harder and harder.
It is here where local activism can play an instrumental role because districts
are drawn by local and state representatives. Higby sees that activism at the
local level can be the most effective in changing policy at the national level.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2I-SAXU4h0/UwWFZbystoI/AAAAAAAAAmc/e6WmM0Rukus/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2I-SAXU4h0/UwWFZbystoI/AAAAAAAAAmc/e6WmM0Rukus/s1600/IMG_0643.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Higby listing off environmental policy achievements, <br />such as the Clean Water Act.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Professor Smith provided an
interesting perspective as he mostly works in the research of alternative
energies. He has taught the ESPE capstone senior seminar for the past two
years. He stated that our society is resistance to change and to learning, and
he importantly pointed out the media’s role in affecting the general public.
Interestingly, he saw the media’s influence to have positive potential in
gathering a critical mass on one side of an issue, specifically on the issue of
climate change. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Climate change is a pressing concern,
and Higby matter-of-factley stated that “we do not have a generation to wait
for congress to change.” Action must be taken sooner. Professor Smith proposed
that perhaps the immediateness of climate change might be the exact thing that
gathers a critical mass and pushes for the congressional change that we, as a
nation, desperately need to benefit not only the environmental movement but
also other social movements and issues we face as a society.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYm6bRAiw3E/UwWHywEBJwI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/p9WKVuttTec/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DYm6bRAiw3E/UwWHywEBJwI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/p9WKVuttTec/s1600/IMG_0658.JPG" height="220" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Austin Anderson '15 </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Austin Anderson ’15 then asked the
question that reflected the motivation of the majority of the students in the
room for attending the panel. What can we do, as students and young people, to achieve
true strides for America’s environmental policy? Austin described the sometimes
frustrating reality that environmental degradation and movements for protection
are really out of our control. In response, Higby immediately threw the
question back to Austin: “What do you think you can do?” Higby later explained
that he did this to show us that we already know what to do and we possess most
of the tools to achieve change, we just have to do it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLkKGPc-9bI/UwWGR9RTZuI/AAAAAAAAAnE/oC_uLqQBi10/s1600/IMG_0659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tLkKGPc-9bI/UwWGR9RTZuI/AAAAAAAAAnE/oC_uLqQBi10/s1600/IMG_0659.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Professor Smith answering Austin's question.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
“We expect instant gratification,”
stated Professor Dell’Aera. He explained that in our modern world information
and communication are instantaneous and we have grown accustomed to this
fast-paced return. So, when we do not succeed at something in the same fast
paced manner, we consider our work to be a failure. But, with the environmental
movement, change is slow and we must be patient. Professor Dell’Aera stressed
that we, as activists, must train ourselves to accept small changes and we must
pride ourselves in our small feats because it is through dedicated and
long-term small achievements that we will realize great change. “Substantial
change does not take place without all of the small scale, cumulative success,”
said Professor Dell’Aera. We plant the seeds and must be patient while they
grow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ-3da_dks0/UwWFnEXpFfI/AAAAAAAAAmk/g-X9iBkElnA/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GJ-3da_dks0/UwWFnEXpFfI/AAAAAAAAAmk/g-X9iBkElnA/s1600/IMG_0644.JPG" height="236" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Students listening to the panel.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What
was the take home message of this Pizza and Politics? The political situation
today unfortunately is not in favor of change. All panelists believed that the
Keystone XL pipeline would end up being approved by the government because, as
Higby remarked, “the politics of today are going to win out over the public
(and environmental) interest of tomorrow.” However, the panelists were hopeful
and looking to us, the students, to continue to be encouraged by the activist environment, which fosters new activists and keeps pushing for change. Not participating
because it is difficult to achieve large-scale and quick change is the wrong
mentality. We must keep chipping away and always stay true to the facts that we
know to be true. Eventually these facts will support the movement and pressure
big change (aka: save the planet!)</div>
USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-70906435255130691232014-02-12T14:39:00.002-05:002014-02-12T14:39:09.413-05:00Forum Focus: climate 'crisis' response<br />
<br />
EPA regional director keynotes Union conference<br />
By Kelly de la Rocha<br />
Gazette Reporter<br />
http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2014/jan/24/forum-focus-climate-crisis-response/<br />
<br />
Friday, January 24, 2014<br />
<br />
SCHENECTADY — Climate change and its adverse effects are undeniable, but there are solutions, Judith Enck, the Environmental Protection Agency’s regional administrator, told attendees of Friday’s climate change conference at Union College.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv21t--UWZA/UvurnNJQJwI/AAAAAAAAAlc/NOCj_Dxv_84/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rv21t--UWZA/UvurnNJQJwI/AAAAAAAAAlc/NOCj_Dxv_84/s1600/IMG_0453.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Welcome to the conference!<br />
Photo by Marissa Peck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
More than 150 municipal and state officials, planners, engineers and students attended the daylong event, which focused on building community resilience in response to climate change.<br />
<br />
“I think that climate change is the greatest economic and environmental challenge of our generation, and we are feeling the effects,” said Enck, the event’s keynote speaker. “The 12 hottest years on record have all happened in the last 15 years. [The year] 2012 was the hottest year ever in the United States. Sea surface temperatures are the highest they’ve ever been since we started measuring sea surface temperature back in the 1800s. In New York Harbor, the sea level is a foot higher than it was a century ago. We are having more intense and frequent storms.”<br />
<br />
The Capital Region is experiencing more weather extremes and a warming trend, according to information presented at the conference by Richard Westergard of Shade Tree Meteorology and Union College Professor Richard Wilk.<br />
<br />
The two cited data from the master’s thesis of 2013 Union graduate Elizabeth Rodiger, who studied extreme weather events and climatic changes in Schenectady and six surrounding counties. Between 1939 and 2011, the average daily temperature in the Capital Region increased about 3 degrees, with the four highest temperatures recorded in the past 20 years, Wilk noted.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--H6-CF4WyPU/Uvuro8ggSlI/AAAAAAAAAls/sxH6N5S626w/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--H6-CF4WyPU/Uvuro8ggSlI/AAAAAAAAAls/sxH6N5S626w/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Congressman Paul Tonko<br />
Photo by Marissa Peck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Upward trends were also recorded between 1960 and 2009 in blizzards, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, high winds, hail, freezing rain and drought.<br />
<br />
“Pay attention to Mother Nature’s whims, and consider those trends in planning,” Westergard suggested to the crowd. “Take these things into consideration and build with weather extremes in mind.”<br />
<br />
Enck said it’s an economic necessity for the country to address climate change, citing the $60 billion provided by the federal government to New York and New Jersey for the Hurricane Sandy recovery effort.<br />
<br />
Climate change can be combatted through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, but in order to do that effectively, detailed, tough conversations about how to improve resiliency must take place, she said.<br />
<br />
“We all have a role to play in tackling the climate crisis,” she said in an interview following her speech. “There are things we can do as individuals, but more importantly, there are things that we have to do in the business and government sector to drive down greenhouse gas pollution, and then secondly, we need to work collaboratively with mayors and local governments to prepare for future storms — and we certainly learned that through Irene and Sandy. To be effectively addressing the climate change issue, we need to drive down greenhouse gas pollution [while] at the same time preparing our communities for future Sandys and future Irenes.”<br />
<br />
Suggested actions community members can employ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions include using mass transit and fuel-efficient vehicles, living close to work and using energy-efficient light bulbs.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuwnZ1uY--Y/UvurnEQOFdI/AAAAAAAAAlU/-vkzTwR2J8E/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BuwnZ1uY--Y/UvurnEQOFdI/AAAAAAAAAlU/-vkzTwR2J8E/s1600/IMG_0449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">Kyle Lanzit '13 and co-worker in front of their table to<br />
promote Community Energy. Photo by Marissa Peck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In 2005, the city of Schenectady began implementing an energy conservation performance contract that reduced emissions by about 4 percent within three years, said City Council President Margaret King during a presentation at the conference.<br />
<br />
“In terms of climate mitigation, we have entered a power-purchase agreement with SolarCity through [the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority] for the largest solar installation in New York state,” she noted.<br />
<br />
The city’s wastewater treatment plant has been upgraded to use anaerobic digestion, a move that significantly reduced electricity usage, saving approximately $30,000 monthly in operating costs, she said.<br />
<br />
Schenectady County has developed a community-wide climate action plan, expanded recycling efforts and is redeveloping multiple brownfield sites, noted Tony Jasenski, chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature.<br />
<br />
Proactive preparations for weather-related disasters produced by climate change are a must, said conference presenter Jared Snyder, assistant commissioner for the state Department of Environmental Conservation. He suggested communities incorporate climate change considerations into all plans they produce, including comprehensive land use plans, emergency evacuation plans and capital spending plans.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irEbdiUMqCo/UvurnEbxyBI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Wx_qgxZrYRo/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-irEbdiUMqCo/UvurnEbxyBI/AAAAAAAAAlY/Wx_qgxZrYRo/s1600/IMG_0442.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">An exhibit at the conference<br />
Photo by Marissa Peck</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
At the state level, NYSERDA is working to make New York more resilient to climatic extremes and weather events by investing in the electric utility industry and improving how the state responds to extreme weather events, said Janet Joseph, vice president of technology and strategic planning for NYSERDA. The state is also establishing a 3-billion-gallon gas reserve in Long Island and providing emergency backup generators to gas stations on critical roads in the state, she said.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
Tackling climate change is possible, Enck emphasized in her speech.<br />
“Remember the hole in the ozone layer? Well, it’s closing. There was a global agreement phasing out the chemicals that were harming the ozone layer, and the ozone levels are improving,” she said.<br />
<br />
She also called attention to the fact that acid rain has been reduced by 65 percent since the 1970s, thanks to measures implemented by the United States and Canada.<br />
<br />
“We can fix these problems if we choose to do so,” she asserted. “Solutions are out there.”</div>
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<br />USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-30460905439522237272014-02-11T21:47:00.001-05:002014-02-11T21:48:33.909-05:002014 Green Fee Recipient SelectedBy: Lucas Comstock<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
The Green Fee Governance Committee
would like to proudly announce our 2013-2014 recipient: Forrister Ross '14 and
his proposal to install Lucid monitoring systems in the four first year
dormitories. The system will provide
real time data on electricity consumption in an easy to use dashboard that will
be physically displayed in the dormitories, as well as be accessible by all
students via the web.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HzE4M4SR5VQ/UvrgTmN083I/AAAAAAAAAlE/tNJ8Q19TxCQ/s1600/Linked+in+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HzE4M4SR5VQ/UvrgTmN083I/AAAAAAAAAlE/tNJ8Q19TxCQ/s1600/Linked+in+Photo.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forrister Ross '14</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
Lucid Design Group is in the business
of providing energy consumption awareness to both the public and private
sector. Their experience has culminated
in energy savings at private universities around the United States, including
Cornell, Stanford, and Emory. Lucid’s
software, BuildingOS, will be installed to monitor Richmond, West, Davidson,
and Webster <o:p></o:p></div>
Hall. Each of these four
locations will be accompanied by an IPad kiosk that will provide real time data
on the electricity usage in the building; another set of IPad’s will likely be
displayed in Olin Science Center. The
rest of campus will be able to access this data via a webpage, which includes
screens that including the electricity usage, green living tips, building
comparisons, competition data and even the weather. Cornell’s Lucid Dashboard can be seen here as
an example: <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<a href="http://buildingdashboard.net/cornell/#/cornell">http://buildingdashboard.net/cornell/#/cornell</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
Ross has worked with the Office of
Residential Life to ensure the longevity of success the Lucid system can bring
to campus. Residential Advisors will be
the first to make their new floor mates aware of the system this coming fall
and will provide simple tips on ways to reduce consumption. Competitions will occur throughout the year
to encourage energy reduction by offering small prizes to the building that
shows the largest reductions.<o:p></o:p></div>
USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-63567053146159062562014-02-08T20:39:00.002-05:002014-02-11T15:18:42.560-05:00What's up with Recyclemania?<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Quick Facts</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #b45f06;"><span style="font-size: large;">What:</span> a recycling competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus.</span><span style="color: orange;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">Where:</span></span><span style="color: #38761d;"> Colleges and universities in the US and Canada</span><span style="color: lime;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: blue;"> When:</span></span><span style="color: blue;"> Feb 2 - March 29 (8 weeks)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="color: #a64d79;"> Why:</span></span><span style="color: #a64d79;"> The overall goals of Recyclemania are...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<span style="text-align: right;"></span><br />
<div>
<span style="text-align: right;"><span style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="text-align: right;">
</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: purple;"> to motivate students and staff to increase recycling efforts and reduce waste generation.</span></span></li>
<li style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: purple;">to generate attention and support for campus recycling programs.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: purple;">to encourage colleges to measure and benchmark recycling activity in their effort to imporve their programs over time.</span></li>
<li style="text-align: right;"><span style="color: purple;">to have a fair and friendly competition</span></li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: right;">
(Source: http://recyclemaniacs.org/about)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: large;"><u>Union's Results SO FAR...</u> to see updates click <a href="http://www.recyclemaniacs.org/scoreboard/participating-schools/list?geo_aa=NY&node_id=10472">here</a>.</span></div>
<div>
The categories:</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Grand Champion - 44 of 114 </span></div>
<div>
The Grand Champion results are the recycling rate as a percentage of its overall waste generation. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="equation" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; color: #78756c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline; width: 350px;"><tbody style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Weight of Recyclables</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">X 100 = XX%</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">-------------------------------------------</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;"> Weight of Recyclables + Weight of Trash</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Per Capita Classic - 29 of 349</span></div>
<div>
This category looks at total amount of paper, cardboard, bottles, and cans collected on a per person basis. </div>
<div>
</div>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="equation" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; color: #78756c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 320px;"><tbody style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Weight of Recyclables</td><td rowspan="3" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">= XX.XX lbs.</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">-------------------------------------------</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Campus Population</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Gorilla - 92 of 360</span></div>
<div>
The school that recycles the highest gross tonnage of combined paper, cardboard, bottles and cans regardless of campus population.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Waste Minimization - 58 of 159</span></div>
<div>
Schools compete to see which produces the least amount of both recyclables and trash on a per person basis. Schools are recognized for the lowest overall per person quantity. In addition, participating schools pledge to undertake at least three specific waste reduction practices. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="equation" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; border-spacing: 0px; border: 0px; color: #78756c; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: auto; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 350px;"><tbody style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Weight of Recyclables + Weight of Trash</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">-------------------------------------------</td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px none; font-size: 12.727272033691406px; height: 14px; line-height: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center; vertical-align: middle;">Campus Population</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"> Targeted Materials:</span> results are calculated on a per capita basis. </div>
<div>
Paper - 57 of 204</div>
<div>
Corrugated Cardboard - 13 of 210</div>
<div>
Bottles & Cans - 55 of 200</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Food Service Organics - 1 of 184 !!!!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Look out for U-Sustain events in the upcoming weeks to help reduce our waste, especially in the dining halls.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #741b47; font-size: large;">Tabling for the event is happening in Reamer on Mondays and at Ozone Cafe on Fridays. Ask questions! Pick up Recyclmania goodies! Meet the team! Get involved!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
All information for this article from recyclemaniacs.org</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-81314276409571118052014-01-14T15:34:00.000-05:002014-01-14T16:17:24.273-05:00Water Bottle Refill Stations in Athletics Funded by the Presidential Green Grant<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By Marissa Peck</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abTdkLC6fcc/UtWeJN2gwEI/AAAAAAAAAko/CYVOLEy4jR0/s1600/Water+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-abTdkLC6fcc/UtWeJN2gwEI/AAAAAAAAAko/CYVOLEy4jR0/s320/Water+1.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The refill station that was installed over <br />
winter breakhas already saved over <br />
100,000 8oz plastic water bottles.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Through a Presidential Green Grant I have funded the installation of three water refill stations to be added to the athletic facilities. One has been added to the basement of Messa Rink outside of the Travis J. Clark '00 Strength Training Facility and the Varsity Athletic Training Room. Another refill station has been added to the recently renovated field house, and a third will be added to the main workout space of the Breazzano Fitness Center.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0BjEvTKrtxM/UtWeI7bHRdI/AAAAAAAAAk4/oZ7fkSGRVaY/s1600/Water+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0BjEvTKrtxM/UtWeI7bHRdI/AAAAAAAAAk4/oZ7fkSGRVaY/s320/Water+2.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
The bottle refill stations are easy add-ons to existing water fountains. They make it easier to completely fill a reusable water bottle which is important for a few reasons. Firstly, the stations help to encourage healthy hydration habits. These stations are around campus in academic buildings and student centers. It is important that the athletic facilities also have these refill stations as athletes and those who exercise need to drink water. Secondly, reusable water bottles significantly reduce landfill waste and contamination and fossil fuel use in the production and transportation of the bottles. Thirdly, reusable water bottles are healthier for people because the plastic of single use water bottles leaches toxins into the water that are harmful to humans. These refill stations are meant to make it easier for people to refill their water bottles to encourage people to use them. The stations also show a digital counter of how many 8oz plastic water bottles have been saved by using the refill station.USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-22926384919636169552014-01-13T12:38:00.004-05:002014-01-13T12:38:42.650-05:00 Rally Against Fracking and for Renewable Energies at Governor Cuomo's state of the state address, Albany<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
By Marissa Peck</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/proxy/UnqdlWrJHrJ32UgNAXkuObs46MwLEyfwxELQ5ENbjk_RnrZyApcpvIRFRsj5M7NrNZRkN4sBAvGIUygJxMV6Ne-liCjhstM98enh4jjdKcSM-DuIof0UP6wK1SntNcGUMbxAh-eejcEv" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="116" src="http://nyagainstfracking.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/CROSSROADS-FINAL-1024x596.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAKpECYEycI/UtMJPq9AX3I/AAAAAAAAAkU/GbS9UY8L52M/s1600/WP_20140108_015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="105" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WAKpECYEycI/UtMJPq9AX3I/AAAAAAAAAkU/GbS9UY8L52M/s1600/WP_20140108_015.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hADMPWVijmo/UtLsEDzZJQI/AAAAAAAAAjU/-JS6YAwDq10/s1600/WP_20140108_005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hADMPWVijmo/UtLsEDzZJQI/AAAAAAAAAjU/-JS6YAwDq10/s200/WP_20140108_005.jpg" width="112" /></a><br />
<br />
On Wednesday I went to the rally against fracking and for renewable energies in New York state. There were a surprising number of young people and children. A middle school class on a field trip was walking up and down the protest line, equipped with signs and their backpacks. There were native american drummers and a harmonious group singing "we shall not be fracked" to the tune of "we shall overcome". There were also the gun rights activists and the medical marijuana advocates sprinkled throughout the corridor. But, the majority of the signs were about banning fracking in New York. There were a few people who took the positive side of developing renewable energies, but the overwhelming message was NO. And while this has its place in the hydrofracking debate, I am not sure it is the most productive discourse.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovQpGkKlxcQ/UtLil-l--KI/AAAAAAAAAjA/R-R1SOIWAIY/s1600/DSC_0159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vgvxMBsSBpE/UtLilQ9Ok5I/AAAAAAAAAjE/W7cmf1gT9lo/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vgvxMBsSBpE/UtLilQ9Ok5I/AAAAAAAAAjE/W7cmf1gT9lo/s1600/DSC_0158.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Saying NO is easily dismissed as the unrealistic or idealist demands of the crazy environmentalists. By only saying NO, it appears that the environmental groups do not fully understand, or do not care to understand, the reality of the situation: there is a whole lot of natural gas in New York state, and at our current levels of consumption said gas will be needed as we work to develop more efficient alternative energies. <br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_U7u7yRr4_g/UtMJAnYf-bI/AAAAAAAAAj8/rzhTJHJZ9Tc/s1600/WP_20140108_008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_U7u7yRr4_g/UtMJAnYf-bI/AAAAAAAAAj8/rzhTJHJZ9Tc/s1600/WP_20140108_008.jpg" width="174" /></a> Saying YES to renewables or YES to strong regulations on fracking in New York is a much more productive dialogue. Cuomo would have to look at these demands as what the people want and therefore ideally he would consider honoring them. But if politicians only hear the people demanding him to not do something, they give up, knowing that they cannot please everyone, and do what they want. This is far riskier because by only saying NO there has been little or no discourse about what the people want if fracking is allowed, and therefore Cuomo and his fellow politicians are left to make their own decisions on fracking.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSTD5ADm1OY/UtLieSeH2GI/AAAAAAAAAi0/15jTbSR6bNo/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSTD5ADm1OY/UtLieSeH2GI/AAAAAAAAAi0/15jTbSR6bNo/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" width="195" /></a> Instead of saying NO, we should be saying PLEASE DON'T FRACK, BUT IF YOU MUST, DO IT THIS WAY SO THAT MY DRINKING WATER CANNOT BE LIT ON FIRE... <br />
Unfortunately, this does not fit so nicely on a sign. It also requires a group of activists-or protesters-or whatever you would like to call them-who have done their research and who have thought critically about ways to make fracking safer. Fracking is going to happen in New York, it is only a matter of time.<br />
So instead of an overwhelming NO, I would have liked to see a more productive and creative approach to the issue. Perhaps it was not the place nor the time. I understand that. I also understand that many people have lost faith in regulations that are meant to protect the environment, but really just protect business interests. People say NO because they see no other way to ensure safe drinking water because there is no way to ensure that fracking companies will value the health and safety of the local people and environment over maximizing their profits. Hydrofracking has caused serious environmental harm and people have suffered as a direct consequence; there is no denying that. Right now the discourse that dominates is to ban hydrofracking, but as this is not realistically going to happen I believe that alternatives and ways to make hydrofracking safer is the only way environmental groups are going to really see success in their movement.<br />
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: large;">Sustainability Calendar</span></div>
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Environmental Events on Campus for the Month of January</div>
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Here are a few steps that we can take to make a difference in 2014!<br />
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1. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Recycle!</span></b><br />
There are recycling bins all throughout campus-- in dorms, dining halls, academic buildings-- and they're here for a reason!<br />
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<i>Or better yet...</i><br />
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2. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Consume <i>less.</i></span></b><br />
This may seem like an obvious, though somewhat daunting task, but even the little things (like swapping out those awful plastic bottles for reusable ones) can help! Try applying this to all areas of your life-- set timers during your showers, turn out the lights, walk or bike to town instead of driving, etc.<br />
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3. <b><span style="font-size: large;">Consider becoming a <i>weekday vegetarian</i></span> </b><br />
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<b> (or give up <i>red meat</i>!)</b></div>
If becoming a full-fledged veggie seems too difficult, why not try a part-time vegetarian diet? When it comes down to it, livestock produce about 22% of global methane emissions from human-related activities. That's 80 million metric tons of methane annually, created by cattle. Graham Hill gives a great <a href="http://www.ted.com/talks/graham_hill_weekday_vegetarian.html">TED talk</a> arguing why weekday vegetarianism just makes sense. Just some food for thought!<br />
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<b>Happy New Year and good luck with your green resolutions!</b><br />
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Posted by: Sophie Cowley '17USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-73161536278622688382014-01-06T10:21:00.001-05:002014-01-06T10:21:13.394-05:00Union College Students Against Fracking!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-4945379787752006542013-11-15T08:46:00.001-05:002013-11-15T08:54:29.289-05:00Celebrate America Recycles Day Today! (November 15th)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recycling programs differ by institution, town, city & county. So it does require one to do a little bit of research to sort your recyclables correctly. But it is worth it! Recycling saves energy, reduces landfills, preserves our resources & protects our wildlife, is good for the economy & reduces our climate problems.</div>
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<u>Here at Union we recycle:</u></div>
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<b>Paper Products:</b> blue bin with paper slot found on each floor of every building</div>
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<b>Plastic/Metal/Glass:</b> blue bin with round hole on each floor of every building</div>
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<b>Cardboard:</b> Break down & place adjacent to trash or recycling bins</div>
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<b>Plastic Bags & Film Plastic:</b> recycling container outside of the C-Store (1st flr Reamer)</div>
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<b>Electronics, Batteries, Lightbulbs & Ink Cartridges: </b>Bring to Front Office of Facilities Services</div>
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<b>Food Waste:</b> in Upperclass & West Dining Hall. Or at your event upon request!</div>
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<b>Sometimes recycling can be confusing, so if you have any questions please reach out!</b></div>
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<a href="mailto:haleyqum@union.edu">haleyqum@union.edu</a></div>
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ext 6765<br />
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Take the pledge today <a href="http://americarecyclesday.org/take-the-pledge">http://americarecyclesday.org/take-the-pledge</a>! </div>
USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-9981971445684246702013-11-14T15:33:00.001-05:002013-11-14T15:33:43.619-05:00Hazardous Waste Reduction Program Created for Schenectady County ResidentsThrough the Hazardous Waste Reduction Program, Schenectady County Compost Facility & Recycling Center is now collecting unwanted household chemicals (paints, aerosols, bleach, etc.) from community residents for their safe and environmentally-friendly disposal.<br />
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This is part of the County's many efforts to support environmentally sound endeavors, and will provide community members with a disposal facility for common household items other than the trash can.<br />
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The community's next Collection Day is Saturday, November 16th, 2013. In order to participate in the event, residents must obtain an annual <a href="http://www.schenectadycounty.com/FullStory.aspx?m=930&amid=11779&redir=0">Compost Facility and Recycling Center permit</a>. For a complete list of accepted chemicals and to register for Collection Day, please visit the <a href="http://www.schenectadycounty.com/FullStory.aspx?m=929&amid=11778&redir=0">Program's website</a>.<br />
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Posted by: Sophie Cowley '17USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-62996116554583215472013-11-12T14:59:00.000-05:002013-11-12T15:00:42.581-05:00Electric City Food Co-op Kicks off Membership DriveSchenectady's own food co-op in-the-making, the <a href="http://www.electriccityfoodcoop.com/">Electric City Co-op</a>, has plans to boost its membership and raise funds-- as well as awareness-- over the next several months. One exciting event that the co-op board has planned is a traditional hoedown, with square dancing, food and fun hosted in a beautiful 150-year-old barn turned house in Rotterdam Junction.<br />
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Since the spring of 2012, Katherine Wolfram, the founder of the Electric City Food Co-Op, has been collaborating with community members to translate her dream into a reality. The Co-op's goal is to create a local, farm-to-table market in the heart of Schenectady, a place where anyone can have access to fresh foods and produce without needing to step foot into a grocery store. Over the past year and a half, many impressive strides have been taken toward the Co-op's development, but additional financial support is definitely needed to get the Co-op off the ground.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting table at Upper Union St. Harvest Festival last month</td></tr>
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A future site for the Co-op has been chosen, and though the space will require a good amount of time and funds, the Co-op board is excited to see its transformation. If you or someone you know would like to see a place where delicious food meets benefits of local production and sustainability in our community, please consider donating to the Co-op or applying for membership.<br />
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Check out the link above for more information or visit the Co-op's <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Electric-City-Food-Co-op/119171564900054">Facebook page</a>. Make sure to buy your tickets for the November 16th hoedown!<br />
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Posted by: Sophie Cowley '17USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-1401883379285460312013-11-11T23:58:00.000-05:002013-11-12T11:06:04.094-05:00Hydrofracking Tour of Susquehanna County<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /><br />Craig and Sandy Kominoski heard about the controversy over hydrofracking and wanted to see for themselves what it was all about. They arranged to take a tour of fracking country in Susquehanna County, PA and what they found shocked them. In their presentation at Union last Wednesday, they showed the pictures they took during their trip and told the story behind the pictures. <br /><br />What struck me the most was how much of the impacts of fracking couldn't be seen in the pictures. When you drive past a fracking well, it looks fairly innocuous. What you don't see is hundreds of chemicals with the potential to contaminate groundwater, the miles of pipelines required to get the natural gas to its destination, and the compression stations required every two to four miles along that pipeline. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three years of fracking in Susquehanna <br />
County has brought 500 wells <br />
with only 20% of plan completed. <br />
There is drilling in 24 counties in PA.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />One of the locals showed them around and told them about what goes on that they couldn't see for themselves. For example, one of the towns fought to get clean drinking water paid for by the fracking companies when their groundwater became contaminated, but lost that battle and now have to pay for it out of their own pocket. They could see the "water buffalo" storage tanks next to almost every house. <br /><br />Craig and Sandy's presentation wasn't exactly impartial and as you can probably tell, I'm pretty biased too. How can I not be when I've seen the tears in my friend's eyes as she witnessed the fracking in her homestate? But there is a value to seeing the other side of the story. Why would people all across the country allow fracking on their property? Is there a way to make fracking safer and are any precautions being taken by companies? It's important to answer these questions too to get a complete picture of fracking. <br /><br />-Rachel Ross</span>USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-60798248810465851382013-11-08T15:00:00.001-05:002013-11-08T15:02:09.284-05:00Octopus' Garden Yields Seasonal Harvest of 1,589 pounds!As the colder weather sets in and the harvesting season comes to a close, total yields have been counted to sum up the wonderful efforts of our campus' own organic garden.<br />
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The top yield of the season were carrots (237.5 lbs) and greens (237 lbs). Potatoes and sweet potatoes were also a large portion of the yield, about 100 lbs each. This is very good news for our garden! Of course, these efforts could not have been made possible without the help and devotion of the Octopus Garden volunteers, both students and faculty.<br />
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Thanks to the generosity of the Presidential Green Grant committee, along with Dining Services and an anonymous Alumnus donation, the Octopus' Garden has recently received a good deal of financial support for the upcoming year. We are hopeful that the 2014 season will produce an even more plentiful harvest!<br />
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Of course, Octopus' Garden could always use another helping hand. There is still time this season to get involved! Email<b> <a href="mailto:octopusgarden@union.edu">octopusgarden@union.edu</a> </b>for more information or to volunteer, or visit the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Union-Colleges-Octopus-Garden/149196131783031">Octopus Garden Facebook page</a>.<br />
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Posted by: Sophie Cowley '17<br />
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USustain: Education and Outreachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14502168701526916240noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2178179116795522150.post-73419838725596486412013-11-05T20:58:00.000-05:002013-11-06T04:43:02.045-05:00Presidential Green Grants - 6 years (and counting!) of funding sustainabilty at Union<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKyHO1lneE4/UnmXa8UAqOI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/cKVmPOLc7hQ/s1600/2013+PGG+photo.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EKyHO1lneE4/UnmXa8UAqOI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/cKVmPOLc7hQ/s200/2013+PGG+photo.jpeg" width="200" /></a>This week, <a href="http://www.union.edu/news/stories/2013/11/green-grants-a-ticket-to-sustainability.php">Union College awarded its 6th crop of Presidential Green Grant (PGG) awards</a>. 20 different projects, proposed by students, staff, and faculty from all over campus, received between $700 and $2000 to support research projects to improve environmental conditions or initiatives to increase the sustainability of Union's operations. <br />
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Since 2007, we have awarded more than $75,000 to projects designed to reduce pollution, waste, and energy use; to increase energy efficiency, environmental education, and local food; and to generally support the tremendous creativity and drive in our own community on behalf of the environment.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpIOelpYTYs/UnmdA2UE_vI/AAAAAAAAAFk/gHStuaQmXkk/s1600/PGG+Certificate.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vpIOelpYTYs/UnmdA2UE_vI/AAAAAAAAAFk/gHStuaQmXkk/s200/PGG+Certificate.jpeg" width="200" /></a>These grants have become a key component of Union's research and
sustainability efforts. They are a crucial mechanism by which grassroots
ideas <i>from within our own community</i> can get support to become a reality. <br />
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$2000 is practically chump-change for a large corporation, or even a Silicon Valley start-up in need of venture capital. But that seed money may be just the ticket to buy the supplies - and the moral support - needed for a project to go from the drawing board to reality. The combination of our financial support and our grantees' hard work has proven to be an unbeatable combination. <br />
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Today, thanks to PGGs, we have <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Union-Colleges-Octopus-Garden/149196131783031">an organic garden </a>that supplies local food to our Dining Halls and local food missions. An early $2000 grant to study <a href="https://www.union.edu/academic_depts/chemistry/facilities/se_facilities/afcal.php">the use of aerogels as an automotive catalytic converter </a>led to more than $500,000 in grant funding from the National Science Foundation and at least one patent application. We have supported a variety of projects related to the <a href="http://www.union.edu/wold/features/roof/">development of more efficient solar and wind technologies</a>. <br />
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I can't wait to see what the research in chemistry, biology, and engineering in this years' proposals will accomplish. Or how our recycling, composting, and energy efficiency efforts will get even stronger. <br />
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The Green Grants would not be possible without the unwavering support of President Stephen Ainlay and his Administration, who has generously funded the PGG's since I proposed them in 2007. The last three years a grant to Union's Environmental Science, Policy, and Engineering Program from the Mellon Foundation has specifically funded research proposals related to the environment. I can't thank them enough for their commitment to environmental efforts at Union, and for their support of our community's initiatives.<br />
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<br />Jeff Corbinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15812727081682193209noreply@blogger.com0