Margaux Petruska We are facing a climate emer-gency, and the United States is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), so it’s essential for all industries to do their part in stopping the damage. Recently, two important members of the health care community, The New England Journal of Medicine and the National Academy of Medicine, called to the … [Read more...] about Healthcare and Sustainability
campus sustainability
Colleges Lead the Way
by Samantha Keenan The Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (‘LVAIC’) held its third valley-wide Campus Sustainability Conference in February. Keynote speaker Shana S. Weber, who directs the Office of Sustainability at Princeton University, kicked off the day with a talk on the importance of developing an ethos of sustainability on college campuses. … [Read more...] about Colleges Lead the Way
Climate & Sustainability in Schools Initiative
This project explores ways to integrate climate & sustainability in schools, with a focus on student-centered, inquiry-based learning. As of January 2017, the initial phase is complete: the GHG calculator and the background information for teachers, including a subject-by-subject look at cross-curriculum integration, is now complete. The full text is available online at … [Read more...] about Climate & Sustainability in Schools Initiative
Education & sustainability
Education and schools have important connections to becoming more sustainable. Schools need to: Model sustainability in their facilities and operations, reducing greenhouse gas emissions [GHG] and minimizing environmental & health impacts. Teach about sustainable living and develop students who are ecoliterate by providing many rich opportunities for students to learn … [Read more...] about Education & sustainability
Commit to Leadership in Sustainability
The benefits of making a clear commitment can be dramatic, especially over the long term. When students, faculty, staff, and alumni know that the college or university is making a broad and comprehensive commitment to sustainability, they are more likely to contribute their time and resources. A comprehensive commitment involves curriculum & research, all aspects of … [Read more...] about Commit to Leadership in Sustainability
Boost Endowment Returns and Campus Sustainability
Many colleges have made real progress towards campus sustainability, but in my opinion we can and should do more — and you should make sure your people realize that investing in sustainability make a dramatic improvement in your budget! The three initiatives covered below are critical because they create an environment that empowers sustainability projects — and they save money … [Read more...] about Boost Endowment Returns and Campus Sustainability
‘Green Revolving Funds’
A 'Green Revolving Fund' provides funds for small projects such as the one described above, projects that will make the college or university more sustainable and, in most cases, pay for itself by reducing expenses for energy. Any project that reduces energy use is critical because it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions [GHG]. A surprisingly small fund can get things … [Read more...] about ‘Green Revolving Funds’
Endowment Investments with High Return & Ultra-Low Risk
This is another no-brainer. Recently, colleges and universities have been earning an average 6–8% return on their endowment funds. Most facilities projects to reduce energy & greenhouse gas emissions [GHG] have a 5–7 year payback — a 14%–20% return—which means colleges & universities could reduce energy expenses and increase endowment earnings just by investing in … [Read more...] about Endowment Investments with High Return & Ultra-Low Risk
Campus Food in the Lehigh Valley
[This page was originally created by intern Julia Ward from Lafayette College.] The Dining Services offered at local colleges and universities have taken some measures to becoming more environmentally sustainable. Specifically, Lafayette serves some produce from the student organic garden; Lehigh has also taken steps to reduce waste in on-campus dining halls and has created … [Read more...] about Campus Food in the Lehigh Valley
We Can Do More
by Julia Ward When I first viewed this image, I was happy and very optimistic about the change that Stanford University has made when the school adopted a more sustainable recycling station. But, I soon found out that this recycling station is over five years old! While some schools today are struggling to make recycling a priority, Stanford has already taken the necessary … [Read more...] about We Can Do More