This article was originally published on news.usc.edu on Feb. 27, 2020. On a misty Saturday morning, a giant crane lifted 1,100-pound pallets loaded with solar panels on top of the Galen Center. The heavy lift is a first step toward sustainability for the 14-year-old venue. Unlike many of the University Park Campus’s venerable Romanesque revival … Read more
This article was originally published on esf.edu on March 3, 2020. The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is the first college in New York state and the third in the nation to sign the #breakfreefromplastic campus pledge, committing to develop a roadmap to a plastic-free campus by 2025. This pledge was developed … Read more
This article was originally published on neea.org on Feb. 11, 2020. Commercial buildings represent about 19 percent of U.S. energy use; of that, about 20 percent is lighting. To take the next big leap in lighting efficiency, the Northwest is turning to a promising solution: luminaire level lighting controls (LLLCs). LLLCs combine LEDs with integrated controls … Read more
This article was originally published on washingtonpost.com on Feb. 11, 2020. DENVER — The state of Colorado and three small businesses are trying a novel approach to reduce carbon emissions that sounds like something out of the fever dreams of Willie Nelson: using carbon dioxide produced from beer brewing to help marijuana plants grow. Denver … Read more
This article was originally published on coloradocollege.edu Colorado College has achieved carbon neutrality, a goal it set in 2009 when it committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2020. After a decade of work, the ambitious target has been met — even as the college increased its building footprint by more than 10% during that time. … Read more
Written by Shannon Dracup, ERS We’re taking a look at the environmental impacts of the fashion industry, a topic that is not often discussed when we think about sustainability. The fashion industry is one of the most lucrative and destructive industries on the planet, and its environmental damage is only increasing as the industry grows. … Read more
Shannon Dracup, ERS New York State’s higher education institutions represent a diverse network of two- and four-year, public and private colleges and universities. Institutions across the state are committed to growing their clean energy efforts, engaging their student body, and advancing sustainability on campus. Roughly 55% of NYS institutions are members of NYSERDA’s REV Campus … Read more
Written by Taylor Patterson, ERS Santa Claus is coming to town! The legend of Santa bringing toys to all the good little girls and boys on Christmas Eve is familiar to us all: Santa visits every home in the world, riding on his sleigh. But does this 24-hour delivery ride have a greater environmental impact, … Read more
Written by Taylor Patterson, ERS For most people, the holidays are the busiest time of year between traveling, cooking, decorating, shopping, and other stressors adding to our already crazy everyday lives! This holiday, consider ways you can celebrate and enjoy the magic of the season without leaving an excessive footprint on the existing climate crisis. … Read more
Taylor Patterson, ERS Pros and Cons of Electric Vehicles As with any technology, electric vehicles (EVs) have their own list of advantages and drawbacks. Pros: Cons: – Elimination of tailpipe emissions– Minimal operational costs– Lower maintenance costs– Convenient at-home charging– Unique driving experience – Range anxiety– Recharge time– Accessibility of charging station– Higher upfront cost … Read more