President Obama returns to the United States this week to start working hard on health care and climate change legislature. One problem is that only 49% of Americans believe that climate change is real and caused by humans. That may not seem too surprising because climate change is still widely debated by scientists; right? Not according to this Pew Poll: 84% of scientist blame human activity for climate change.
So why is there a discrepancy between the opinions of citizens and experts in this area? Let's not forget that 51% of Americans don't believe in evolution. So there is some evidence that the public and scientific communities don't always align in their views.
However, the public's opinion on climate change is more easily described by political affiliations. 64% of Democrats believe humans are causing climate change, while 67% of Republicans either deny climate change or attribute it to natural causes.
In the coming weeks, there will plenty of political debates about the cap and trade legislature. Republicans are already opposing it by claiming that it will tax everything and the poorest will pay the most. A pretty legitimate argument. However, when the health care debate comes up these same politicians claim the country can't afford this and we are forcing future generations to pay for the deficit. Okay.
Well why don't the Republican politicians apply their view on the deficit to climate change? Unless we start acting now, we will be leaving a debt to our children that no country could afford: a dead planet. Climate change should not be a partisan issue.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Summer Update from Washington DC
I'm fortune enough to be spending the summer in Washington DC and every day I find new examples of sustainability in the city.
To start with, the Planet Green channel is available here. This is a fascinating channel that should definitely be available at Wake Forest. It's most well known show is Greensburg, the town which was destroyed two years ago by a tornado and is being rebuilt as a sustainable city. However, there are countless other shows that are very well produced and educational.
On another note, single stream recycling is found throughout the region. At first this seems like a great option because it simplifies the recycling process; however there are many "costs" associated with single-stream recycling.
Single-stream recycling allows cities to use regular trash trucks and allows residents to use single carts. However, the recyclables are not as useful. The process of separating the recyclables is usually automated, but not perfect. Therefore, the recyclables are not as valuable because they may be contaminated. Also, in some cases up to 25% of recyclables are disposed of in landfills. This basically eliminates the increase in recycling rates from residents.
Wake Forest has a two-stream recycling process which is more valuable for the recycling center, but is makes the recycling process more difficult for students. Also, 40% of recycling bins are contaminated by students and thrown out by facilities. Obviously, the recycling rate at the school would increase with single-stream recycling, but would it increase enough to offset the increase in disposal of recyclables at the recycling center. Currently, it seems the easiest options is to educate the student body and promote recycling with the current two-stream system.
To start with, the Planet Green channel is available here. This is a fascinating channel that should definitely be available at Wake Forest. It's most well known show is Greensburg, the town which was destroyed two years ago by a tornado and is being rebuilt as a sustainable city. However, there are countless other shows that are very well produced and educational.
On another note, single stream recycling is found throughout the region. At first this seems like a great option because it simplifies the recycling process; however there are many "costs" associated with single-stream recycling.
Single-stream recycling allows cities to use regular trash trucks and allows residents to use single carts. However, the recyclables are not as useful. The process of separating the recyclables is usually automated, but not perfect. Therefore, the recyclables are not as valuable because they may be contaminated. Also, in some cases up to 25% of recyclables are disposed of in landfills. This basically eliminates the increase in recycling rates from residents.
Wake Forest has a two-stream recycling process which is more valuable for the recycling center, but is makes the recycling process more difficult for students. Also, 40% of recycling bins are contaminated by students and thrown out by facilities. Obviously, the recycling rate at the school would increase with single-stream recycling, but would it increase enough to offset the increase in disposal of recyclables at the recycling center. Currently, it seems the easiest options is to educate the student body and promote recycling with the current two-stream system.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Sustainability Week 2009
This week, April 13-18, is Sustainability Week at Wake Forest! Sustainability week is an annual event that started last year. This year, SEAC and Student Government have been working together to plan events to increase environmental awareness at Wake. Here is the schedule:
Monday- Green transportation showcase, Mag Quad, 11 AM- 2 PM. There will be displays by facilities, the Biodiesel group, and a LEAD group which is working on a bike sharing program.
Tuesday- "Flow" documentary showing, 7:30 PM, DeTamble auditorium (Tribble Hall). Flow is an "investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century- the world water crisis." It tackles issues such as governmental and corporate misuse of water resources, the debate on bottled water and water-related public health problems.
Wednesday- Sustainable dining featuring displays by Aramark and SEAC, 11 AM-2 PM, the Pit, and the TVs in the Pit will be showing Planet Earth
Thursday- Black and Gold Go Green panel discussion, 7:30-9:00 PM, Benson 401C. This panel will feature Jim Alty from facilities, Roy Biggers from Aramark and Drs. Wakild, Kondepudi, Browne and Hammond. We have a wide range of opinions and experience, but all panelists will be talking about sustainability at Wake Forest. Student questions will also be taken, so come out ready to participate!
Friday- Sustainable Seize the Quad
Saturday- Piedemont Environmental Alliance Earth Day Fair, Hearn Plaza, all day
Check out our Facebook Page!
Feel free to contact me by e-mail (freuca6@wfu.edu) if you have any questions, and see you this week!
Monday- Green transportation showcase, Mag Quad, 11 AM- 2 PM. There will be displays by facilities, the Biodiesel group, and a LEAD group which is working on a bike sharing program.
Tuesday- "Flow" documentary showing, 7:30 PM, DeTamble auditorium (Tribble Hall). Flow is an "investigation into what experts label the most important political and environmental issue of the 21st century- the world water crisis." It tackles issues such as governmental and corporate misuse of water resources, the debate on bottled water and water-related public health problems.
Wednesday- Sustainable dining featuring displays by Aramark and SEAC, 11 AM-2 PM, the Pit, and the TVs in the Pit will be showing Planet Earth
Thursday- Black and Gold Go Green panel discussion, 7:30-9:00 PM, Benson 401C. This panel will feature Jim Alty from facilities, Roy Biggers from Aramark and Drs. Wakild, Kondepudi, Browne and Hammond. We have a wide range of opinions and experience, but all panelists will be talking about sustainability at Wake Forest. Student questions will also be taken, so come out ready to participate!
Friday- Sustainable Seize the Quad
Saturday- Piedemont Environmental Alliance Earth Day Fair, Hearn Plaza, all day
Check out our Facebook Page!
Feel free to contact me by e-mail (freuca6@wfu.edu) if you have any questions, and see you this week!
Monday, April 6, 2009
American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment
We have began our student petition to President Hatch to show him our support for the Presidents Climate Commitment.
Here is an overview of the Commitment:
620 college presidents have signed the Presidents Climate Commitment, which recognizes the, “scientific consensus that global warming is real and is largely being caused by humans.” By signing the commitment, the president of the university pledges to work towards a climate neutral campus. The commitment includes a number of intermediate steps toward carbon neutrality:
1. Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible.
a. Within two months of signing this document, create institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan.
b. Within one year of signing this document, complete a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel) and update the inventory every other year thereafter.
c. Within two years of signing this document, develop an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral, which will include:
i. A target date for achieving climate neutrality as soon as possible.
ii. Interim targets for goals and actions that will lead to climate neutrality.
iii. Actions to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students.
iv. Actions to expand research or other efforts necessary to achieve climate neutrality.
v. Mechanisms for tracking progress on goals and actions.
2. Initiate two or more of the following tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan is being developed.
a. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or equivalent.
b. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.
c. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.
d. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution
e. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution’s electricity consumption from renewable sources.
f. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.
g. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.
3. Make the action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports publicly available by providing them to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for posting and dissemination.
Be the first to sign our petition, right here on the blog!
Here is an overview of the Commitment:
620 college presidents have signed the Presidents Climate Commitment, which recognizes the, “scientific consensus that global warming is real and is largely being caused by humans.” By signing the commitment, the president of the university pledges to work towards a climate neutral campus. The commitment includes a number of intermediate steps toward carbon neutrality:
1. Initiate the development of a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible.
a. Within two months of signing this document, create institutional structures to guide the development and implementation of the plan.
b. Within one year of signing this document, complete a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions (including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting, and air travel) and update the inventory every other year thereafter.
c. Within two years of signing this document, develop an institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral, which will include:
i. A target date for achieving climate neutrality as soon as possible.
ii. Interim targets for goals and actions that will lead to climate neutrality.
iii. Actions to make climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experience for all students.
iv. Actions to expand research or other efforts necessary to achieve climate neutrality.
v. Mechanisms for tracking progress on goals and actions.
2. Initiate two or more of the following tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases while the more comprehensive plan is being developed.
a. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standard or equivalent.
b. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.
c. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.
d. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution
e. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution’s electricity consumption from renewable sources.
f. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.
g. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.
3. Make the action plan, inventory, and periodic progress reports publicly available by providing them to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) for posting and dissemination.
Be the first to sign our petition, right here on the blog!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Earth Hour at Wake Forest University
In case anyone missed Earth Hour at Wake Forest, Fox 8 captured the lights going out on the chapel. Overall, the event was a success and I look forward to improving the event for next year.
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