Colgate’s Guide to Greener Living 2009 - 2010 www.colgate.edu/green I. Climate Action A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused directly and indirectly by an individual, organization, event or product. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, you should know what goes into calculating your carbon footprint and how your daily actions affect it. The way we use energy, the types of transportation we choose, the food we eat, the amount of waste we generate – all contribute to our carbon footprint. Do you know how large your carbon footprint is? Here are a few carbon calculators, which can help you find out: http://www.carbonfund.org/ http://www.carbonfootprint.com/calculator.aspx http://www.nature.org/initiatives/climatechange/calcu lator/ Interesting statistics: In 2007, total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions were 7,150.1 million metric tons. Overall, total U.S. emissions have risen by 17 percent from 1990 to 2007. Emissions increased from 2006 to 2007, by 1.4 percent (99.0 million metric tons). http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/index.html Background image taken from: www.industrialspaceinbrentwood.com Colgate’s Carbon Footprint In January 2009, Colgate became a signatory of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), which charges Colgate with taking action towards achieving carbon neutrality. Carbon neutral is the act of achieving net zero carbon emissions by balancing the total amount of carbon released with an equivalent amount that is either sequestered or offset. By signing the commitment, Colgate pledges to complete an emissions inventory, take immediate short-term action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, make “sustainability” a component of the academic curriculum, and create a two year step-by-step plan with measurable goals including a target date for reaching carbon neutrality. Colgate’s first comprehensive Carbon Footprint will be completed by January 2010. These are some examples of Colgate’s GHG emission sources: • • • Heating & Cooling of Buildings Electricity Use Commuting Habits • • • Air Travel Vehicle Fleet Landfill Waste Interesting Fact: A single mature tree can absorb carbon dioxide at a rate of 48 lbs./year and release enough oxygen back into the atmosphere to support two human beings. Tree planting is one way to take climate action. Source: http://www.coloradotrees.org/benefits.htm For more information contact: Colgate students planting trees on Earth Day 2009. Bob Turner - Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies: [email protected] Ben Taylor – Class of 2010: [email protected] John Pumilio – Sustainability Coordinator: [email protected] Background image taken from: www.industrialspaceinbrentwood.com II. Energy Efficiency and Conservation The Energy Connection . . . Fossil fuels are made up of hydrogen and carbon. When fossil fuels are burned, the carbon combines with oxygen to yield carbon dioxide. The amount of carbon dioxide produced depends on the carbon content of the fuel. Natural gas, oil, and coal are all fossil fuels that release carbon with coal releasing the greatest amount of carbon per unit. Fossil fuels supply 85 percent of the primary energy consumed in the United States and are responsible for 98 percent of emissions of carbon dioxide. Eighty percent of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions come from the use of coal and petroleum fuels. Although the industrial sector is the largest energy consumer (including direct fuel use and purchased electricity), the transportation sector emits more carbon dioxide because of its near complete dependence on petroleum fuels. The residential and commercial sectors have lower emission levels than the transportation and industrial sectors, with the majority of their emissions coming from purchased electricity. Electricity generation consumes 40 percent of U.S. primary energy and is responsible for 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions. In the electric power sector, coal accounts for 83 percent of the emissions. For further information, contact EIA’s National Energy Information Center Washington, DC 20585 Telephone: 202.586.8800 E-Mail: [email protected] & EIA’s web site at: www.eia.doe.gov Background image taken from: http://www.peedeeelectric.com/content_clientimgs/green%20world.jpg Here are a few tips for Colgate community members trying to conserve energy and reduce their carbon footprint: • Turn out the lights when not in use. A large percentage of the charges on electric bills are from unnecessarily lighting rooms. Get in the habit of flipping the light switch off everytime you leave a room for more than 15 minutes. Another good option is to install motion-sensors so that lights automatically turn on when someone enters a room and off when they leave. • Replace old incandescent light bulbs with energy efficient compact florescent or LED light bulbs. CFL’s use 75% less energy than incandescent light bubs and last up to 10x longer. For each incandescent light bulb you replace with a CFL you could eliminate 100 pounds of carbon dioxide each year. According to Green America, if each home in America replaced one bulb with an Energy Star CFL, it would save enough energy to light 3 million homes for a year and prevent greenhouse gases equivalent to the emissions from 800,000 cars. • Unplug laptop/phone chargers after your device is fully charged. Chargers can draw as much as 5 to 20 times more energy than is actually stored in the battery if you continue to leave them plugged in! • Heating and cooling. You can save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills by simply turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for eight hours each day. You can do this automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing an automatic setback or programmable thermostat. Background image taken from: http://www.peedeeelectric.com/content_clientimgs/green%20world.jpg • Plug all electronics into a power strip or a Smart Strip and kill Phantom Load. Electronic devices continue to consume energy even when they are turned off. This is known as Phantom Load. According to Energy Star, Phantom Load is responsible for 40% of your electrical usage! In fact, a quarter of the energy used by your TV each year is consumed when the TV is off! This unnecessary waste of energy costs you money and harms our environment. Smart Strips can put an end to Phantom Load. Simply, plug all your electronic devices into the appropriate outlets on the smart strip and the problem is solved! Power strips work equally as well but require a little more work on your end - you have to flip the switch off everytime you are finished using your device. TVs, DVD players, computers, printers, and cell phone chargers are just some of the devices that leak power even when they aren’t on. • Turn off your computer monitor when it is not in use. Leaving your monitor in standby mode rather than switching it off wastes energy and money. That is why all monitors in Cooley Science Library are turned off every night. • Wash laundry in cold or warm water, never hot. According to the US Department of Energy about 90% of the energy used for washing clothes is for heating the water. Most clothes don’t need a hot or even a warm water rinse; with new detergents designed for cold water washing, you don’t even need to turn on the hot. • Let your dishes air-dry. Forget about the energy intensive “drying cycle” on your dishwasher. Let your dishes air-dry instead! Background image taken from: http://www.peedeeelectric.com/content_clientimgs/green%20world.jpg • Do a home energy audit. A home energy audit will help you begin the process of becoming energy efficient. The US Department of Energy provides helpful instructions for a Do-ItYourself Audit, and they also provide resources if you decide to have a professional energy audit on your home. When purchasing new appliances or electronics choose ENERGY STAR products. ENERGY STAR labels appear on appliances and home electronics that meet strict energy efficiency criteria established by the U.S. Department of Energy and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. • Make your fridge more efficient. Keep your refrigerator's coils clean to boost its overall power, and store jugs of water in any empty space inside, because water retains coldness better than air. According to Green America this could result in 4% energy savings per year. • Don't waste energy on TV. If you shop for a new television, look for an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen, which uses six times less energy than a plasma screen. Instead of staying in front of the TV, go out and get active – meet new people and join the many different clubs and events at Colgate. • Save energy through landscaping. The US Department of Energy found that the proper placement of as few as three shady trees will save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs annually. Learn more at: http://www.energy.gov/ Background image taken from: http://www.peedeeelectric.com/content_clientimgs/green%20world.jpg Renewable Energy at Colgate Colgate's wood-fired boiler Colgate's wood-fired boiler satisfies more than 70 percent of the campus' heat and domestic hot water needs. Installed in the early 1980s, the boiler processes approximately 20,000 tons of locally and sustainably harvested wood chips per year. This renewable, carbon neutral resource helps Colgate avoid consuming the equivalent of 1 million gallons of fuel oil, prevents over 20,000 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, and saves the University nearly $1 million each year in heating costs. In these images (above and left) you can see the wood, burning in Colgate’s wood-fired boiler. Background image taken from: http://www.peedeeelectric.com/content_clientimgs/green%20world.jpg III. Alternative Transportation The Transportation Connection . . . Transportation sources accounted for 29 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2006. Transportation is the fastest-growing source of GHGs in the U.S., accounting for 47 percent of the net increase in total U.S. emissions since 1990. These estimates of transportation GHGs do not include emissions from additional lifecycle processes, such as the extraction and refining of fuel and the manufacture of vehicles, which are also a significant source of domestic and international GHG emissions. Source: http://www.epa.gov/OMS/climate/ Image source: www.epa.gov Background image taken from: http://www.streetscoots.com/my_files/images/MPj04373640000_1_.jpg TRANSPORTATION – What you can do: • Look for more fuel-efficient, less polluting cars. Think about trading in that old gas guzzler for a more fuel-efficient car. A car that gets 20 miles to the gallon will emit about 50 tons of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. Double the gas mileage and you cut the emissions by half. Investigate the many new ultra-clean alternative fuel vehicles available. Reconsider extra features such as automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive -- they are often unnecessary and eat into gas mileage. • Keep your car in good condition. Get your engine tuned up regularly, change the oil, and keep your tires inflated properly -proper maintenance can increase your car's fuel efficiency by 10 percent and reduce emissions. • Cut driving miles. Each gallon of gas used in your car releases about 24 pounds of atmospheric-warming carbon dioxide. Cutting your driving by just five miles each day would contribute to keeping tons of carbon dioxide from entering the air. • Carpool. If every car carried just one more passenger on its daily commute, 32 million gallons of gasoline (and the pollution produced by it) would be saved each day. Find out more about Green Options on the Road at: http://www.epa.gov/OMS/climate/whatyoucando.htm Background image taken from: http://www.streetscoots.com/my_files/images/MPj04373640000_1_.jpg What you can do at Colgate: • Ride the Colgate Cruiser: It is convenient and FREE and provides an alternative way to meet new people. The Cruisers will take you around campus and to the village of Hamilton providing easy access to the Colgate Bookstore, Hamilton Movie Theater, Barge Canal Coffee House, off-campus residence halls and apartments, and other local stores and restaurants in the downtown area. • Ride a Bike: Bicycling is a quiet, clean, and healthy way to travel. Bike for fun! …to work or school! …or to run errands! Combined with transit, cycling can also be a part of a longer distance commute. Use Colgate’s Green Bikes. The mission of Green Bikes is to provide Colgate students with inexpensive, convenient, human-powered transportation to decrease reliance on automobiles. Green Bikes is a community bike sharing program managed by Theta Chi fraternity. Above: A Colgate student using a Green Bike. Background image taken from: http://www.streetscoots.com/my_files/images/MPj04373640000_1_.jpg IV. Sustainable Food and Dining Practices The Food Connection… In the twentieth-century we have witnessed a radical transformation of our food system from sustainably based, locally focused production, to a fossil-fuel addicted industrialized system. Agriculture has changed more in the past two generations than it did in the previous 12,000 years. Unfortunately for us, almost every aspect of our modern industrial agricultural system creates greenhouse gas emissions. The rapid growth of livestock production is another major contributor to the increased amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Indeed, to produce 2.2 pounds of beef burns enough energy to light a 100 watt bulb for twenty days. Globally, beef production accounts for about 18% of total greenhouse gas emissions. That is about 6 times more than airline travel! Background image taken from: http://www.feastgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/feast-organic.jpg Table 1: Main Sources of Emission from Agriculture Main Sources of Emissions Percent of the Total Global Warming Effect of Emissions On the Farm Fertilizer production and distribution Methane and nitrous oxide emissions 1.5 to 2% 12% On the Land Deforestation and other land use changes 18% On the Road Transportation emissions from seed to plate Specific food-system data unavailable Additional Sources Waste and manufacturing Specific food-system data unavailable Estimated Total 33% of the total global warming effect can be attributed to the food system. Source: http://www.sustainabletable.org/issues/climatechange/#connection Background image taken from: http://www.feastgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/feast-organic.jpg What you can do and how to eat sustainably at Colgate: • Local: Buy food from local companies whenever possible. Each pound of local food you purchase prevents a quarter pound of global warming (C02) emissions. Support your local Farmer's Market. Centralized local food purchasing: Colgate is proud of our relationship with Dan Purdy and Sons of nearby Sherburne, N.Y. As the only USDA federally inspected local agricultural processors of meats, poultry and seafood in the region, Purdy and Sons streamlines Colgate’s purchase and consumption of locally produced food for our dining halls. Local produce: Mento Produce is Colgate’s produce supplier, providing local in season produce, to the university. Mento is located in nearby Syracuse, New York. Local milk and dairy: Colgate’s milk supplier is Crowley Dairy, from Binghamton, N.Y. Crowley's delivers locally produced milk from Madison, Chenango, and Cortland counties. Farmer’s Market: Every Saturday, May through October, there is a Farmers Market on the Village Green in Hamilton. It starts at 9am and ends at 1pm, and there you can find seasonal products grown in local farms as well as local meat, cheese, wine and many others. Background image taken from: http://www.feastgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/feast-organic.jpg • Ask for organic produce: Often, organic produce costs more and is more difficult to get, but many supermarkets and greengrocers are willing to stock organic food if they know customers will buy it regularly. · All of Colgate’s rice (white, brown and basmati) is organic. Organic beans are used, including kidney, black, pinto, chili, lentil split pea and navy. Ask for the organic products at Frank or in the Coop! You can also visit Whole Foods downtown, where you will find different products, most of which are organic. • Switching to a vegetarian diet is a powerful way to help protect our environment and help ensure everyone has enough to eat. The United Nations recently released Livestock’s Long Shadow– Environmental Issues and Options, which concludes that the livestock sector (primarily cows, chickens, and pigs) emerges as one of the top two or three most significant contributors to our most serious environmental problems, at every scale from local to global. It is one of the largest sources of greenhouse gases - responsible for 18% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. By comparison, all transportation emits 13.5% of the CO2. It produces 65% of humanrelated nitrous oxide (which has 296 times the global warming potential of CO2) and 37% of all human-induced methane (which is 23 times as warming as CO2). It also generates 64% of the ammonia, which contributes to acid rain and acidification of ecosystems. In addition, the enormous amounts of grain required to feed livestock reduces the amount of food available for the world's hungry. Buying organic, locally grown food also reduces global warming emissions and helps protect the environment. Colgate offers a daily vegan option at its main dining facility. Note that vegan is different from vegetarian. While vegetarians don’t eat meat, vegans endeavor not to use or consume animal products of any kind. Background image taken from: http://www.feastgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/feast-organic.jpg • "Dolphin Safe" Tuna: Only purchase tuna labeled "dolphin safe". At Colgate we only purchases Dolphin Friendly Tuna! • Pack a Waste-Free Lunch: A waste-free lunch means that you have no packaging to throw away when you're done - nothing other than apple cores, banana and orange peels, peach or cherry pits. The best way to reduce garbage is to not create it. Here you can find “Five Simple Ways to Pack a Waste-Free Lunch”: http://www.globalstewards.org/lunch.htm • Other Sustainable food options in Madison County: Madison County Farmer’s Market -- a list of the farmer’s markets in Madison county: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/regioncentralmadison.htm Madison County Agricultural Economic Development: The mission for the AED Program is to maintain, develop, and promote a viable agricultural economy that benefits Madison County: http://www.madisoncountyagriculture.com/ Madison Bounty: Chenango & Madison Bounty is headquartered in Sherburne, NY and aspires to provide easy access of local, fresh food to all of Chenango and Madison County citizens. You can order their products at: http://www.madisonbounty.com/ Common Thread -- a Community Supported Agricultural (CSA) farm serving Central New York, the Mohawk Valley and Syracuse. The farm is located in Madison, just 5 miles north of Colgate University near the tip of Lake Moraine. http://www.commonthreadcsa.com/ Background image taken from: http://www.feastgreen.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/feast-organic.jpg V. Waste Minimization and Recycling The Waste Connection . . . Solid waste disposal contributes to greenhouse gas emissions in a variety of ways. First, the anaerobic decomposition of waste in landfills produces methane, a greenhouse gas 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Second, the incineration of waste produces carbon dioxide as a by-product. In addition, the transportation of waste to disposal sites produces greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of the fuel used in the equipment. Finally, the disposal of materials indicates that they are being replaced by new products; this production often requires the use of fossil fuels to obtain raw materials and manufacture the items. Currently, the U.S. recycles approximately 32 percent of its waste which saves an equivalent amount of greenhouse gases to removing 39.6 million cars from the road. Increasing the recycling rate to 35 percent would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by an additional 5.2 Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent. Source: http://epa.gov/climatechange/wycd/waste/index.html Background image taken from: http://www.troop-358-zionsville.org/recycle/RecycleGlobe.jpg REDUCE, REUSE, & RECYCLE • • • STEP #1: REDUCE Reduce instructs us to reconsider the stuff we eye and buy, but rarely need. Buying less and experiencing more is a good moto for a healthier planet and a happier you. The average product we consume contains only about 5 percent of the resources and energy that went into manufacturing and transporting it. The other 95 percent is waste. We can do a lot to reduce the waste we produce by reducing unnecessary material possessions. STEP #2: REUSE Reuse challenges us to consider creative and sensible options for our unwanted goods besides throwing them in the trash. No matter how unique your unwanted items are, you can usually find them a new home. Use Craig's List or E-Bay. Better yet, donate your items to a local organization such as Heritage Farm in Bouckville, Hope House and the Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees in Utica, Worn Again clothing shop in Hamilton, and the Community Action Partnership in Morrisville. Additionally, at the end of every academic year, the COVE will pickup your unwanted items through their Salvage program to donate to local charities. STEP #3: RECYCLE One of the simplest and most important things we can do to protect our environment is to recycle. Recycling preserves precious resources, avoids building new landfills, conserves energy, and reduces water pollution, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions that cause climate change. At Colgate, take a moment to place your recyclable items (i.e. glass, plastic containers and bottles, metal cans, paper products, cardboard, and electronic waste) in the correct bin. Do you have a recycle bin at home, in your residence hall, or in your office? Does everyone know where it is? Is it properly labeled and frequently used? If not, then it is time to take action! Be a sustainability champion and spearhead your very own recycling campaign. Background image taken from: http://www.troop-358-zionsville.org/recycle/RecycleGlobe.jpg • Recycle materials you use - Recycling saves resources, decreases the use of toxic chemicals, cuts energy use, helps curb global warming, stems the flow of water and air pollution, and reduces the need for landfills and incinerators. Look for the recycling bins around the campus. When you print materials, make sure that you print double-sided. Remember that the COOP has three print-release stations that must be approved by your 'Gate card before going to the printer. Implemented in January 2009 these print-release stations are drastically reducing the amount of printed paper that went unclaimed and directly into the recycling bin. • Buy recycled products - Look on the label for the products or packaging with the greatest percentage of post-consumer recycled content, which ensures that the materials have been used before. Try to buy paper products that have more than 50 percent post-consumer content. The Colgate Bookstore sells notebooks with recycled paper. • Buy products with less packaging - A large percentage of the paper, cardboard, and plastic we use goes into packaging -- much of it wasteful and unnecessary. When you buy a product, look at the packaging and ask: Can it be reused? Is it made of postconsumer recycled materials? Is it necessary at all? Reward those companies that are most enlightened about their use of packaging by purchasing their products. Contact companies that overpackage and tell them you will be more likely to buy if they change this policy. Background image taken from: http://www.troop-358-zionsville.org/recycle/RecycleGlobe.jpg • Use durable goods - Bring your own cloth bags to local stores. Replace plastic and paper cups with ceramic mugs, disposable razors with reusable ones. Refuse unneeded plastic utensils, napkins, and straws when you buy takeout foods. Use a cloth dishrag instead of paper towels at home, and reusable food containers instead of aluminum foil and plastic wrap. • Buy in bulk - it reduces packaging. For more information check out Colgate’s Recycling Guide at: http://www.colgate.edu/portaldata/////imagegallerywww/4357/Ima geGallery/Recycling%20Guidelines.pdf Background image taken from: http://www.troop-358-zionsville.org/recycle/RecycleGlobe.jpg VI. Water Conservation Water is one of the Earth's most essential resources. All life depends on it. In recent decades, human demand and climate change have placed unprecedented pressure on our national water resources. And while some regions have experienced higher than average rainfall, many parts of the US are suffering record dryness. Notably, in September of 2007 nearly half of the country experienced drought, and major bodies of water like the Great Lakes and the Colorado River have been showing significantly reduced water levels. America’s vast water resources are limited, and we need to protect and conserve them. More information at: http://www.h2oconserve.org Background image taken from: https://mrgrayotsscience.wikispaces.com/file/view/Blue_Earth.gif What you can do: Water Consumption: Each time you turn on a water faucet use the lowest pressure necessary. Keep the water turned on only while it is needed. For drinking water, keep a pitcher in your refrigerator so you don't have to let water run to cool. Full Loads: Always run full loads of laundry and dishes. Choose the short cycle at low water levels whenever possible. Set the clothing washer at the lowest possible temperature needed and for single rinse only. If you buy a new appliance, switch to a water-conserving model (e.g., front loading washer). Fix Leaks Promptly!: It is estimated that 13.7% of household water is wasted by leaks. Check your water meter when no one is using water in the house. If it's moving there's a leak. A running toilet can waste 2 gallons a minute. Check by adding food coloring to the tank without flushing. After 10 minutes, look for leaks indicated by color in the bowl. This is most likely a worn flapper valve that can easily be replaced. If this happens in your dorm or campus apartment/house don’t hesitate – call B&G and they will come and fix it. Leftover Water: If you have house plants, whenever possible water them with rainwater or leftover or unused water from drinking, cooking, and showering. Keep a water pitcher near your sink or bathtub and collect unused water running from the tap (waiting for cooler or warmer water). Car Wash: Take your car to a car wash that recycles water. If you wash it yourself, use a bucket and sponge and rinse sparingly. Tap Water: Make the switch back to environmentally-friendly tap water instead of bottled water. Background image taken from: https://mrgrayotsscience.wikispaces.com/file/view/Blue_Earth.gif Checklist for Greening Your Colgate Life: 1. Save energy - Turn off lights when you’re not in the room - Shut down and unplug your laptop every night - Unplug appliances you are not using including hair dryers and TVs 2. Be reasonable with the heat - Turn your heat off if you open a window - Don’t leave the windows open when you leave the bathroom (especially in the winter) - Turn your thermostat down a degree or two 3. Cut the driving - Get a bike - Use the Cruiser 4. Reduce food waste - Take smaller portions at Frank 5. Reuse - Use reusable water bottles, nalgenes, and mugs instead of buying bottles or paper cups at the COOP/Starbucks (This saves you 10CENTS a drink) 6. Recycle - In your dorm, you can recycle paper (pizza boxes, magazines, envelopes, newspapers), plastic bottles #1-7 (including laundry detergent and shampoo bottles) 7. Conserve Water - Call B&G to fix leaky showers and faucets immediately - Turn off faucet and showers completely This guide was prepared by: Gergana Mouteva Class of 2009 Email: [email protected] For more information contact: John Pumilio Sustainability Coordinator Colgate University Merrill House 004 Phone: 315.228.6487 Email: [email protected] www.colgate.edu/green
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