SUSTAINABLE FLORIDA TECH Presented by the Green Campus Group

OBJECTIVES What is sustainability? What are other campuses doing? Why should we aim for a sustainable campus? What should we do and how can we make it happen?

SUSTAINABILITY Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs

SUSTAINABILITY PROGRAMS/GREEN CAMPUS INITIATIVES University of Minnesota, Morris University of Florida Harvard University of British Columbia

UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, MORRIS Wind power supplies over 60% of electricity needs First large-scale wind research turbine ever constructed at a U.S. public university Biomass District Heating and Cooling System Pride of the Prairie Local Foods Initiative Recycling

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA Environmental Purchasing Policy Formal recycling program began in 1989 LEED criteria – emphasizes state of the art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, material selections, and indoor environmental quality Green Fleet

HARVARD Biodiesel is now used in all Harvard owned buses Waste Management and Recycling Service achieving 42%+ recycling rate Ongoing expansion of local & organic produce in Harvard University Dining Service Building energy assessments to identify and implement building upgrades. Recent building energy upgrades have achieved energy use reductions of 30% Addressing energy conservation in existing buildings. Invested $6.5 million in 85 different projects achieving an average payback of 3.4 years Green Campus Loan Fund – an interest free revolving loan fund made available to anyone within Harvard who has a project that both demonstrably reduces Harvard environmental impact and directly generates associated utility or operating savings to pay back the loan within a five year period

UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA In 1997 UBC became Canada's first university to adopt a sustainable development policy Vision To earn the respect of future generation for the social, ecological and economic legacy we create Mission To create a culture of sustainability at UBC

UBC continued Simple actions – Despite a 24-percent increase in students since , UBC has reduced: Energy use in core and ancillary buildings by 10 percent. This represents financial savings of $2.5 million in 2004/5. CO2 emissions from buildings by 11 percent. However, since 1990, they have reduced the CO2 emissions per square meter of building area by 27 percent. CO2 emissions from buildings and transportation combined by nine percent. Water use in core and ancillary buildings by 32 percent—that’s enough water to supply 14,700 Vancouver residents for one year.

UBC continued Green Energy certificates LEED certified buildings Green building – Many reused and recycled materials – Natural ventilation – Composting toilets – Use of high-volume fly ash concrete This is an important innovation because the manufacture of cement in Vancouver produces almost as many greenhouse gas emissions as all of the city's vehicles combined

WHY SHOULD WE AIM FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS? FLORIDA TECH will become a leader among universities in sustainable and green practices A sustainability program will draw the attention of new students Programs implemented will save money in the long run Programs implemented will be beneficial to the environment

WHAT SHOULD FLORIDA TECH DO? Encourage students and faculty to become aware of their actions and how their actions affect the environment Increase the amount of recycling on campus with a UNIFIED campus effort Decrease Styrofoam usage at campus dining facilities Implement an Environmental Purchasing policy Require new buildings/construction projects on campus to meet specifications set by LEED

HOW CAN FLORIDA TECH MAKE THIS HAPPEN? Encourage environmental awareness – Purchase of bikes that would be painted maroon/gray/black and be available to students via an honor policy – Post signs around campus that remind students to turn off lights, computers, and faucets when not in use – Educational opportunities Movie-nights Educate student leaders, namely Resident Assistants

HOW CAN FLORIDA TECH MAKE THIS HAPPEN? continued Unified recycling effort – Currently 2 organizations on campus with limited recycling programs – Cost for recycling: $25.00 for one 90 gallon bin for one month Reduce Styrofoam use by making it more inconvenient Environmental Purchasing – When purchasing items, buy “environmentally preferable” products, recycled products, and practicable products

HOW CAN FLORIDA TECH MAKE THIS HAPPEN? continued LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) – 5 Key areas: sustainable site development water savings energy efficiency materials selection indoor environmental quality – For both new building construction and existing buildings

QUESTIONS? Contact: Gwen Valentine, Frank Leslie,