Author: Ashley Phillips

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

While Congress debates comprehensive climate legislation, colleges and universities around the country have taken matters into their own hands. Schools have chosen to address sustainability with innovations, not only on each campus, but in each community and across state lines through research, green building, technological developments, travel reduction, energy efficiency and many other ways.

(Photo: Gary Neuenswander/Utah State)

The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) released its new annual report Tuesday highlighting these efforts made by its institutions to address global warming.

“This report showcases the work schools are doing to slash their carbon emissions, shift to renewable energy sources, and teach their students how to address climate change when they graduate.

“The report also highlights some new and innovative partnerships schools are pursuing with one another, local government agencies, and the business community,” said Gina Coplon-Newfield, Director of Communications & Outreach, Second Nature.

According to the report, the schools are working toward cutting greenhouse gas emissions by more than 33 million metric tons each year. Of the participating schools, 66% plan to be climate neutral by 2050. One Maine school, College of the Atlantic, achieved climate neutrality in 2007, being the first higher education institution to do so.

Each state, and the District of Columbia, is represented by at least one ACUPCC school. California has the most representation with 68 schools and New York is second with 56 schools. According to the ACUPCC, this amounts to one third of the total population of US students in higher education, nearly six million people. By the end of December, the report noted, a total of 665 schools made up the ACUPCC. But that number has since grown to 677 with the latest 12 schools to join.

ACUPCC schools are required to submit greenhouse gas inventories, then within the next two years, develop a climate action plan. At the end of 2009, 462 institutions had submitted their GHG emission inventories and 130 Climate Action Plans had been submitted. This is the first annual report that includes climate action plans.

“The number of greenhouse gas inventories and climate action plans submitted by colleges and universities nationwide demonstrates that the higher education sector is the only one in society to substantially pursue climate neutrality.  It is a model for the rest of society,” said Coplon-Newfield.

Since its launch, the ACUPCC has grown 5400%.

Even beyond reducing their own carbon footprint, schools are teaching students to go out into society and operate sustainability. There is still a long way to go, but the ACUPCC is helping to jump start colleges, universities, faculty, staff, students and communities to move swiftly toward a greener tomorrow.

Copyright © 2010 Green Right Now | Distributed by GRN Network

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

South Carolina’s Furman University, one of the schools that has signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, will be using a new form of renewable energy to improve its carbon profile: Student power.

Along with other schools such as the University of Kansas and the University of Florida, Furman is going to tap the energy of exercising students (and faculty) and turn it into electricity.

Fifteen Precor elliptical exercise machines will be installed at the university’s Herman W. Lay Physical Activities Center (PAC). The energy generated by the machines will then be put back into the campus power grid. Thirty minutes on the elliptical will power a light bulb for two to three hours or a desktop computer for half an hour.

The initial set up is expected to cost $15,000 – $20,000 will be a gift from the class of 2010. The seniors, who began their fundraiser this month, plan to raise $30,000 – $40,000 to cover those costs.

Furman, a private university with 2,600 students that was founded in 1826, has spent the last 18 months developing its climate action plan, which calls for the university to become carbon neutral by 2026.

“From the outset, we determined that any effort in this area ought to be much more comprehensive than simply planning to reduce carbon emissions,” said Furman President David Shi.  “Instead, it needed to encompass a long-range sustainability master plan for the university, which would include not only those activities relevant to its carbon and ecological footprints but also the much broader scope of the university’s mission and function, including the curriculum, co-curriculum, and projects and partnerships in the greater Greenville community.”

With the Board of Trustees vote to adopt the university’s sustainability plan last Saturday, Furman University will take many steps to become carbon neutral. “It will take nothing less than a full commitment from the entire university if we are to achieve the challenging initiatives laid out in this plan,” said President Shi.

The climate action highlights five specific strategies that will reduce the university’s greenhouse gas emissions:

• increasing energy efficiency in all campus operations
• creating a campus-wide culture of conservation to decrease energy use
• creating a more sustainable campus transportation system
• investing in renewable energy projects
• creating local carbon offset projects and energy-conservation service projects in the community

Copyright © 2010 Green Right Now | Distributed by GRN Network

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

Eco City Vehicles PLC (ECV), developer and distributor of eco-friendly commercial vehicles in Europe, has announced the launch of an all-electric prototype of its London-licensed Mercedes Vito taxi (Vito).

Named the Mercedes Electric eVito Taxi (eVito), the zero- emissions vehicle will be powered by a lithium ion battery that can run up to 120 miles on just one charge. Designed for inner city transportation with rear wheel steering, the vehicle will meet the Public Carriage Office requirement for a minimum turning circle of 25-feet, meaning it can maneuver in urban situations.

Developed by ECV’s manufacturing partner Penso, Mercedes Benz UK and Zytec Automotive, the eVito is also expected to pass clean air standards put in place by London’s mayor Boris Johnson.

“The range and performance of the E Vito make it perfect for inner city transport: not only does it deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions but also significant costs savings (a full charge costs less than £2.50) which can be passed on to users in the form of reduced fares,” said  Neil Cheeseman, program manager at Zytek Automotive.

Peter DaCosta, Eco City Vehicles Chief Executive Officer, explained further:

“The eVito is the first all-electric wheelchair accessible taxi with a 25-foot turning circle to be launched in the world and a major step towards our goal to become a leading supplier of niche eco-friendly vehicles. Subject to successful trials, the eVito together with the already popular Vito taxi, provides London with a great opportunity to reduce air pollution with modern vehicles. We have taken on board Mayor Boris Johnson’s wish for a cleaner London and I’m confident this will contribute to meeting his goal.”

The taxi prototype will undergo controlled trials later this year and is expected to be transporting passengers in time for the London Olympics in 2012.

Copyright © 2010 Green Right Now | Distributed by Noofangle Media

By Ashley Phillips
Green Right Now

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and the Environmental Defense Fund, with the support of The Meadows Foundation have developed the Texas Green Jobs Guidebook.

The project highlights that in an emerging green energy economy, green means dollars. There are more than 200 green jobs listed in the guidebook, as well as specific training and education opportunities across Texas, and the list is expected to grow. Green is not a short term trend, but a fundamental shift in political, corporate, and personal decision making, according to those advocating for green jobs.

In Texas, $6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 set aside for energy and weatherization programs is expected to fuel the green  job market. New bills awaiting review in Congress, such as the existing Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, pending in the U.S. Senate, could further that job growth.

“Texas is the energy capital of America,” said Kate Robertson, author of the Texas Green Jobs Guidebook and an energy efficiency specialist for the Environmental Defense Fund. When most people think of energy opportunities in Texas they think of oil, but that is rapidly changing.  Texas is the number one producer of wind energy in the country, providing opportunities all around the state, especially in West Texas where most wind farms are located. In Austin, solar energy is a fast-growing jobs sector.

From green construction to energy conservation, the green job market is vast, and the jobs listed in the guidebook reflect that, encompassing these areas:

• Clean Energy
• Solar Power
• Wind Power
• Geothermal Power
• Biogas
• Biomass
• Hydrogen Power
• Hydroelectric Power
• Green Building
• Transportation
• Waste Management
• Water Resources
• Conservation and Planning
• Environmental Research and Monitoring
• Advocacy

Also, while many green jobs are relatively new, they typically have strong local ties and cannot be outsourced overseas, providing some job security.

Copyright © 2010 Green Right Now | Distributed by GRN Network