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TSC holds Fall Sustainability Roundtable
November 12, 2012 – 2:48 pm
TSC's Fall Roundtable drew members from the CSC working groups and various sustainability-related organizations around campus
Tufts Sustainability Collective, the active umbrella organization for environmental groups on campus, has been very busy the past two weeks! The student-run group hosted two successful events, a Sustainability Roundtable and a Sustainability Dinner at Dewick. Both of these events have become staples each semester, so if you missed them this time around, look for their reappearance in the spring!
This fall’s Sustainability Roundtable featured the Campus Sustainability Council‘s three working groups for Energy and Emissions, Waste, and Water. Each group presented their goals for the university and their progress since convening earlier this year, pursuing a dialog with members of the Tufts community, from students to the head of Facilities.
Energy and Emissions team-members noted the achievement of meeting the standards set by Kyoto protocol by 2012 and mechanisms for decreasing the university’s carbon footprint, such as increased efficiency and switching fuels to natural gas or to distributors with renewable sources. In order to reduce energy consumption as the community continues to grow, however, a university-wide effort is called for, and the educational aspect of this goal is where the Office of Sustainability comes in!
The Waste working group focused on reducing outputs to the landfills during new construction projects and building rehabilitation. They mentioned many waste-reduction goals and plans to collaborate with Tufts Facilities in particular to “use less, reuse and recycle more” before anything is dumped in the trash.
The Water team had great news to present, including some concrete actions already in motion on the Tufts campus! Projects so far have included water reuse systems for machinery in laboratories and elsewhere, reducing the water coming in by hundreds of thousands of gallons already, and the recent construction of a university rain garden near the lower campus dorms. Rain gardens are both visually appealing and ecologically sound, ensuring rainwater is infiltrated into the soil, cleaned naturally, and returned to the groundwater rather than sent with pollutants down the storm drains. The Water working group also discussed plans to enter the EPA’s RainWorks Challenge, a national infrastructure design competition, and to look into porous pavement and gray water systems.
Read more about what was discussed at the roundtable in Tufts Daily’s news article.
-written by Anne Elise Stratton
The Candidates and the Climate
November 5, 2012 – 10:41 pm
While no candidate is perfect on climate change (and indeed, they all seem to be woefully inadequate), there are some differences:
PRESIDENT
Mitt Romney: despite his surprisingly good record on climate change while he was governor, Romney’s energy plan focuses almost entirely on pumping more fossil fuels into the atmosphere, a situation that would almost certainly ensure the world’s inability to reign in climate change (Rolling Stone has a pretty fierce write up of it, but you can read it yourself and see). Just one example: in his quotes about N. American energy independence, he uses a Manhattan Institute report that says, “In collaboration with Canada and Mexico, the United States could—and should—forge a broad pro-development, pro-export policy to realize the benefits of our hydrocarbon resources. Such a policy could lead to North America becoming the largest supplier of fuel to the world by 2030.” (what no-one seems to have told him, however, is that oil and gas companies that drill in N. America aren’t restricted to selling that fuel only to Canada, Mexico and the US – they’ll sell it to whomever gives the best price – as any good, non-government-run institution would do).
But anyhow, Obama’s no great climate champion these days either but at least he doesn’t blatantly ignore climate change or pledge to dig up and sell all the fossil fuels in North America. As an aside, Romney attacks Obama for ‘targeting old coal power plants’ – when, really, we wish he were targeting them, since those plants are some of the worst carbon emissions offenders.
Here is a summary of what the 2 candidates have said about energy and climate on the campaign trail.
US SENATE
Elizabeth Warren seems to support action on climate change – at least in words – but I doubt it’ll be a priority for her. Scott Brown, however, in June 2012 voted to ‘disapprove’ the EPAs endangerment findings on greenhouse gases and in March 2012 voted against ending tax deductions for major oil companies and extending incentives for energy efficient homes, plug-in vehicles and alternative fuels. They are considered one of 4 senate races with noticably different opinions on climate.
US HOUSE
Jon Golnik doesn’t list ‘environment’ as an issue on his website, but under ‘energy’ he indicates he supports the Keystone XL pipeline, fracking and drilling in ANWR. OK, I guess that says it all. Climate doesn’t seem to be a priority for Niki Tsongas, but she states that she help[ed] to pass tougher fuel efficiency standards and incentives for renewable energy, so there’s hope there.
Don’t forget to vote!
Campus Sustainability Council Fall 2012 Update
October 31, 2012 – 5:38 pm
During the summer, the Tufts Sustainability Council’s various working groups met to discuss goals for Tufts in the areas of water, waste and energy/emissions reductions.
The Water Working Group envisioned Tufts having an integrated water management approach that reduces consumption, promotes reuse, and minimizes impacts on the environment enabling Tufts to become a leader in campus water management in higher education.
To reach this goal, the Water Working Group recommends that Tufts meets and exceeds federal, state and local regulations regarding runoff, sanitation, and sewer systems; implements LEED standards for water use and quality; and ensures that Tufts students, faculty, and staff are knowledgeable of how their actions impact water use and quality and know how to mitigate negative impacts on their watersheds.
The Waste Working Group’s primary goal as discussed during their Summer meetings is an overall reduction of waste at Tufts by 3% a year through source reduction, improved waste management strategies, and a general culture change on campus with regards to waste.
Part of the Waste Working Group’s proposed strategies involves improved purchasing practices to ensure that an increased percentage of environmentally responsible products are purchased by the university.
The Energy and Emissions Working Group discussed ways for Tufts to demonstrate leadership in responsible climate action through energy efficiency, emissions reduction and adaptation. Under the New England Governors/Eastern Canadian Premiers Climate Change Action plan, the Energy and Emissions group is committed to seeing Tufts reduce emissions to 10% below 1990 levels by 2020 and reducing emissions to 75-85% below the 2001 levels by 2050.
To do this, the Energy and Emissions group is developing a laundry list of energy efficiency measures and is committed to supporting a transition away from fossil fuels and teaching the Tufts community about the importance of energy efficiency, reduced energy consumption, and reduced emissions.
The groups stressed a need for reporting, feedback, and community outreach to ensure that all of Tufts sustainability efforts and goals can be reached.
Over the remainder of the semester, the Water, Waste, and Energy/Emissions groups will be meeting to discuss progress towards these goals, ongoing sustainability efforts, and additional strategies the university could use to meet their goals. A draft report will be available on February 1st, 2013 for comments. The comment period will end on March 1st and a final report will be prepared for the end of the academic year.
- by Robert R. Lynch, Campus Sustainability Council Administrative Intern
Permaculture Design + Regenerative Leadership Initiative (San Francisco, CA)
October 24, 2012 – 2:29 pm
The regenerative leadership and permaculture design course is an incredible opportunity to gain real skills, build community, and get your hands dirty learning how to design sustainable living systems rooted in nature with permaculture design principles. Join an incredible regenerative leadership and permaculture design certification retreat in the San Francisco Bay Area, February 16-24th or April 20-28th, and go beyond sustainability towards a wildly fulfilling life and a truly regenerative culture.
Participants are taught by leading sustainability experts and learn valuable life, career, business, and community skills while earning an internationally recognized Permaculture Design Certificate. The skills offered in this course are applicable to aspects far beyond the garden – you will learn to design nature-inspired, resilient, regenerative systems – composting toilets, water-catchment system, natural green buildings, eco-villages and much more.
For more information on the program, click here. Scholarships are available — enter code SCHOLARSHIP when applying online.
Tips for Zero-Waste Week
October 19, 2012 – 6:38 pm
It’s easy to do the Zero Waste Challenge when you are at a place like Tufts, where recycling bins abound and compost drops are available on campus. Still, here are some good tips to keep in mind:
- Snack on fresh fruit – it’s healthier AND it’s compostable.
- Carry a small tupperware to put food to compost later.
- Bring your lunch and use the container to get takeout for dinner.
- Get your drinks without a straw.
- Avoid individually wrapped tea or drink loose leaf tea.
- Always bring a reusable mug or water bottle.
Photo courtesy of Tufts Dining
- Save 20 cents at Mugar Cafe, Tower Cafe, Brown & Brew, Hodgdon Good-to-Go & Commons Deli if you bring your own mug.
- The Tufts “Choose to Reuse” clear water bottle will get you a discount on any fountain beverage at Mugar Cafe, Hodgdon Good-to-Go, Commons Deli, and Tower Cafe. Water and sparkling water will also be discounted at Hotung Cafe.
A few things to remember:
- Aluminum foil and yogurt cups are recyclable.
- All napkins are compostable.
- Any rigid plastic can be recycled – including coffee stirrers. (It doesn’t have to fit through the openings of the recycling bin, by the way – just lift the cover.)
- Energy bar wrappers and chip bags are recyclable. Tufts has Terracycle brigades on campus.
For more information on recycling and composting at Tufts, visit the TuftsRecycles! website.
Good luck and have fun!
Eco-Reps Weekly Updates
October 17, 2012 – 11:38 am
Zero Waste Week
Today, October 17th, is the start of Zero Waste Week! From October 17th to October 24th, 200 students will participate in this challenge to raise awareness that trash doesn’t just “disappear.” Participating students will place all trash that will not otherwise not be recycled or composted in a clear plastic bag that they will carry around with them for the week. Students should feel less compelled to create waste since they’ll have to carry it all with them! The plastic bags will be dropped off on the RezQuad at Mt. Trashmore on October 24th and the amount generated by the participants will be compared to the trash generated from a comparable sized dorm. Visit the Office of Sustainability, the Crafts House, or find your Eco-Rep to be a part of the challenge!
Sustainability Day
October 24th, the end of Zero Waste Week, is also Sustainability Day! This event, taking place from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, focuses on raising awareness of what has been done and what needs to be worked on to become a sustainable campus. Events for this year’s Sustainability Day include Mt. Trashmore, which will feature individual piles of trash taken from Miller, Houston, Carmichael, and Hill Halls, and “The Story of Bananas” dinner at Dewick. “The Story of Bananas” dinner seeks to educate students on the path of the dining halls’ most eaten fruit from farm all the way to compost. Check out the five stations, play the fun foodie game to win banana themed prizes, and enjoy foods with bananas! In addition, Annie Leonard, the author of “The Story of Stuff” will be holding a talk, question and answer, and book signing session in Cohen Auditorium from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm.
Eco-Rep Events
Last night Eco-Rep Sidney May, the Eco-Rep for Wren Hall, held her first event. She set up a tap water vs bottled water taste test and raffled off a Brita reusable water bottle! Sidney threw residents a fun curve ball by serving only tap water. Residents had fun doing the test and were almost always surprised they tried two cups of tap water. Way to go, Sidney!
Hill and West residents, don’t miss the Sustainability Dinner event tomorrow night put on by Eco-Reps Chantal Davis and Laina Piera. The dinner will focus on sustainability of the food in the dining halls. You can’t miss the delicious Flatbread pizzas they’ll be serving for dinner! The event takes place from 6-7pm in the Hill Hall Lounge.
Plus, look out of Do It In the Dark, an inter-dorm competition to see which can reduce their energy consumption the most over a one-month period! More information to come in our next post!
Oct. 5: Presidential Campaigns Energy Debate
October 3, 2012 – 2:48 pm
Date: Friday, October 5, 2012
Time: 7:30 pm [seating at 7:00 pm]
Viewing: MIT Kresge Auditorium, Televised by E&E TV
The MIT Energy Initiative and the MIT Energy Club are co-sponsoring a televised energy debate with representatives from the campaigns of President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney on Friday, October 5 at 7:30 pm in Kresge Auditorium at MIT. Event and registration information are included below:
Speaker for President Barack Obama: Joseph Aldy, Faculty Research Fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research and Professor of Public Policy at Harvard University
Speaker for Governor Mitt Romney: Oren Cass, Domestic Policy Director; Romney for President
Moderator: Jason Pontin, Editor of Technology Review
Questioners: Steve Hargreaves, CNN Money; Bill Loveless, Senior Editor of Platts; Monica Trauzzi, Managing Editor and Host, E&E TV
Sponsors: MIT Energy Initiative and MIT Energy Club
Two students will be selected to present a question for debate. Interested students must submit one question for consideration in their registration. Winning students will be notified by the MIT Energy Club and MIT Energy Initiative.
REGISTER to attend and participate! This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. A lottery will be conducted if attendance exceeds venue capacity.
For tickets and more information, click here.
Oct. 25-27: 2012 Net Impact Conference
October 3, 2012 – 11:23 am
Accelerate your impact. The annual Net Impact Conference is the premier event for students and professionals using their careers for good. For our 20th anniversary conference, we are bringing together more than 2,800 changemakers from all over the world and 300 dynamic speakers from across industries, from Fortune 500 companies to emerging nonprofits.
This October 25 to 27 in Baltimore, Maryland, we will explore how to take all we’ve accomplished over the past 20 years and accelerate our impact to forge real solutions for the decades to come. REGISTER HERE!
What to expect at the 2012 Net Impact Conference
- Over 100 sessions across 8 interest tracks – Expand your knowledge through inspirational keynotes and more than 100 sessions of panels, workshops, debates, and more, led by industry and thought leaders. Sessions span eight tracks: Corporate Impact, Social Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Energy & Clean Tech, Environmental Sustainability & Natural Resources, Finance & Investing, International Development, Community Development & Urban Revitalization, and Career & Professional Development.
- Many formal and informal networking opportunities – Network with like-minded changemakers and discover new opportunities to connect through social and networking events including happy hours, Net Impact’s signature no-host dinners, a closing party, and an exclusive reception for our professional attendees.
- An Expo with over 80 businesses and organizations – Engage with forward-thinking employers and innovative organizations at our epic Net Impact Expo. Many exhibitors are actively recruiting and interviewing while others are showcasing their latest innovations and programs.
- Opportunities to visit and explore Baltimore – Connect with the people and communities of Baltimore through site visits and tours to local businesses and nonprofits. Attendees can engage on a deeper level by participating in our unique Local Impact mini-consulting sessions.
- A commitment to sustainable conference practices – We are committed to making a positive impact on our host community and the Earth by implementing green initiatives throughout conference planning and implementation.
Oct. 14: AASHE Conference 2012
September 26, 2012 – 12:24 pm
Head to LA on October 14th for the 2012 Student Summit of the annual Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) conference.
At the summit, students have the opportunity to present their unique sustainability projects. They can each contribute their ideas, resources, and opinions on sustainability efforts, and will have the opportunity to network with other students from different schools after these student presentations. The summit will also include a variety of workshops that can guide students in starting sustainability efforts at their school.
The summit will also feature keynote speaker Billy Parish, the Co-Founder and President of Solar Mosaic, a solar investment marketplace. Among his many accomplishments, he founded the Energy Action Coalition, the largest youth advocacy organization in the world focused on climate crisis, and was honored as a “Climate Hero” by Rolling Stone magazine.
The Student Summit provides opportunities for information and resources to start initiatives on your campus. AASHE also provides students with the opportunity to submit their individual research, as well as apply for their two awards: the Student Sustainability Leadership Award and the Student Research on Campus Sustainability Award.
For a full schedule of events and to sign up, visit the AASHE website!
