Trends in Environmental Sustainability
Please write your answers to these questions before the session begins: • What is one example of how culture has already shifted toward sustainability? • What is one opportunity you see for how individuals, the university, or American society can shift even more toward a sustainable future?
Trends in Environmental Sustainability: Momentum for a culture shift? 40th Maryland Student Affairs Conference February 12, 2016
Mark Stewart Senior Project Manager Office of Sustainability
Eco‐nomics For the Ecologically Literate:
For the Economically Literate:
Debt 1.5
1
Ecological Footprint
Withdraws
$50T.
Ecosystem Services
Interest
$33T.
Nature
Savings
1997 USD
1997 USD
If everyone consumed as much as the average American For the Ecologically Literate: For the Economically Literate: 5
Ecological Withdraws Footprint
$165T. 1997 USD
Huge Debt!
1
Ecosystem Services
Interest
Nature
Savings
$33T. 1997 USD
Eco‐nomics For the Ecologically Literate:
For the Economically Literate:
Sustainability? 1
1
Ecological Footprint
Withdraws
Ecosystem Services
Interest
Nature
Savings
$33T. 1997 USD
$33T. 1997 USD
State of the Planet: Earth’s average temperature has increased 2 degrees F in the last 100 years. It is expected to increase 4‐11 degrees F by 2100. One species of plant or animal goes extinct every 13 minutes. We are now witnessing the sixth “Great Extinction” of species. 90% of big fish are gone from the oceans. 83% of marine life is overfished or facing extinction. Sea level has risen 1 foot over the past 100 years. It is projected to rise 2‐6 feet by 2100. Tonight, more than a billion people will go to sleep hungry. Right now, a billion people do not have access to fresh drinking water. This may reach 3 billion people within 20 years.
Sustainability is inevitable (we can’t live beyond our means forever), but we have much control over how and when we get there! (And sooner is definitely better than later!)
1970s
The most commonly referenced definition of Sustainability / Sustainable Development:
“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” ‐Brundtland Commission, 1987
Sustainability is about harmony. It is a process that exists at the delicate balance between environmental health, social justice, and economic development.
Corporations call this the “Triple Bottom Line”
98% of executives from large corporations said that when they make hiring decisions….
… they would give preference to job candidates who have an academic concentration in
sustainability!
Our vision for a Sustainable World is starting to come to life!
People are Leading the Change We are seeing the emergence of the Sharing Economy!
People are Leading the Change American carbon emissions at lowest level in 50 years!
People are Leading the Change Bike commuting increased 47% in US (and 171% in DC) over the last decade!
People are Leading the Change Approximately 50 million US households grow some of their own food!
UMD Commitments: 1. Be a National Model for a Green University 2. Eliminate the University’s Carbon Footprint 3. Prepare All Students to Create a Sustainable Future 4. Use Water Sustainably 5. Minimize Waste 6. Advance Sustainability Locally and Globally
2700 solar panels at the Severn Building
Progress toward Carbon Neutrality
Achieved: 22% reduction in emissions from 2005 to 2014 Targets: 25% reduction in emissions by 2015 and 50% by 2020
President’s Energy Initiatives: Energy Conservation
President’s Energy Initiatives: Carbon Neutral New Development
President’s Energy Initiatives: Purchased Power
Encourage student to Minor in
Sustainability Studies! • 15 credits • Complements any major • See sustainability.umd.edu
Now the largest minor on campus!
At least
$300,000 is available every year to fund sustainability projects!
Terps
the Tap Granted $62,282
Maryland Educational & Solar Activities Laboratory Granted $30,000
WaterShed Granted $4,500
Green Façade at ENST/Animal Science Granted $9,500
Sphagnum Moss Pool Water Treatment Granted $64,718
Terp Farm Granted $124,000
Sustainability in Student Affairs • Students have been at the center • Study: How to be more effective and progressive?
Maria Lonsbury Project Specialist VPSA – VP Student Affairs
Sustainability Committee • Vice President’s vision to be a model for caring for the environment • Student Affairs Sustainability Committee ‐ change agents ‐ collaborators • Notable achievements
It’s Everyone’s Job
Allison Lilly Assistant Director for New Initiatives Dining Services
Dining Services Goals: 1.
Be a campus, and industry, leader for sustainability programs
2.
Enhance and promote a nourishing campus community
3.
Promote sustainable food through the Sustainable Food Commitment
Sustainable Food Committee • Initiated by Dining Services in Spring, 2012 • Mission: Examine ways to increase sustainable food options at UMD College Park Promote education, awareness and dialogue through a collaborative process of input, planning, and action implementation
Sustainable Food Commitment Goals: • 20% local and sustainable food by 2020 • 1‐4% annual increase in sustainable food purchasing based on financial feasibility and product availability • Annual, incremental increases in sourcing from local growers, with special emphasis on Maryland growers • Annual, incremental increases in sourcing whole, unprocessed foods
Sustainable Food Update
Our goal: 20% Sustainable Food by 2020 % of Total Spending
Fall 2011
Fall 2012
Fall 2013
Fall 2014
10.00%
12.64%
14.82%
20.15%
Sustainable Transportation
Anna McLaughlin Assistant Director VPSA – Transportation Services
Sustainable Transportation
Anna McLaughlin Assistant Director VPSA – Transportation Services
Sustainable Transportation
Goal: Reduce carbon emissions by providing a variety of programs and incentives that reduce single occupancy vehicle trips.
Sustainable Transportation
One Size Does Not Fit All
Sustainable Transportation Shuttle‐UM • 3.3 million riders annually • 74 transit vehicles • 24 different routes
Sustainable Transportation • Transit options to campus are numerous: Shuttle‐UM, MetroRail, MetroBus, MARC, MTA Commuter Bus, PG County – The Bus • SmartBenefits allows you to payroll deduct your public transportation commute costs on a pre‐tax basis • Ridesharing is a great way to get discounted parking and access to preferred parking spots – you can find a carpool partner online • Guaranteed Ride Home provides commuters who carpool, bike, walk, or take transit to work with a FREE & reliable ride home if an unexpected emergency comes up
Sustainable Transportation • Bundle Packs are available to faculty & staff who only need to park on campus occasionally • Low Emission Vehicles can save 20% off a parking registration if they qualify as EPA Certified SmartWay Elite • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are located in 7 different locations across campus • Zipcar has a number of vehicles on and adjacent to campus that are available to rent by the hour
Sustainable Transportation • • • • •
Collaboration of Transportation Services & RecWell RecWell Bike Shop – Free Maintenance & Repair Semester, Weekly, Daily Bike Rentals Classes & Clinics – Learn to Ride a Bike Recreation & Wellness Bike Rides – BikeYo!
Sustainable Transportation • • • • • •
Bike Registration Bike Parking Sharrows & Signage Discounted Helmets, Locks and Bike Lights Bike Repair Stations Bike Storage
Sustainable Transportation Bicycle Friendly University • The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. • Silver BFU in 2011 • Gold BFU in 2014
Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable Transportation Looking Ahead • Parking Outlook • Bikeshare! • Purple Line
Dan Wray Assistant Director for Facilities VPSA ‐ Adele H. Stamp Student Union
• 17,000 guests per day on average • Program Offices, Ballrooms, 10 food court vendors, Adele’s restaurant, Retail shops and catering kitchen • Green Roofs • Green Office Gold • Efficient lighting upgrades • Post Consumer Compost • Retro‐fit of loading dock • Student & Visitor Outreach
• Great project partnerships such as: • Post‐Consumer Compost • Battery bins • Plastic bag collection • Chef Gardens • E‐Waste collection
• Recyclemania!
Green Roofs
Chef ’s Gardens
Green Office
Lighting Upgrades $12k+ in Pepco Rebates
Post Consumer Composting
1. Collected on campus 2. Hauled by Facilities Management 3. Composted by Maryland Environmental Services in Upper Marlboro 4. Used for nutrients at Terp Farm
Outreach in the Food Court • Peer education • Color Coded bags • Tray displays • Sorting video • Trash Audits • Informative signage • #StampNapkins
ENGAGEMENT POSTERS
#StampNapkins
Panel Discussion
Future Outlook & Audience Sharing
Trends in Environmental Sustainability: Momentum for a culture shift? 40th Maryland Student Affairs Conference February 12, 2016
Mark Stewart Senior Project Manager Office of Sustainability
Eco‐nomics For the Ecologically Literate:
For the Economically Literate:
Debt 1.5
1
Ecological Footprint
Withdraws
$50T.
Ecosystem Services
Interest
$33T.
Nature
Savings
1997 USD
1997 USD
If everyone consumed as much as the average American For the Ecologically Literate: For the Economically Literate: 5
Ecological Withdraws Footprint
$165T. 1997 USD
Huge Debt!
1
Ecosystem Services
Interest
Nature
Savings
$33T. 1997 USD
Eco‐nomics For the Ecologically Literate:
For the Economically Literate:
Sustainability? 1
1
Ecological Footprint
Withdraws
Ecosystem Services
Interest
Nature
Savings
$33T. 1997 USD
$33T. 1997 USD
State of the Planet: Earth’s average temperature has increased 2 degrees F in the last 100 years. It is expected to increase 4‐11 degrees F by 2100. One species of plant or animal goes extinct every 13 minutes. We are now witnessing the sixth “Great Extinction” of species. 90% of big fish are gone from the oceans. 83% of marine life is overfished or facing extinction. Sea level has risen 1 foot over the past 100 years. It is projected to rise 2‐6 feet by 2100. Tonight, more than a billion people will go to sleep hungry. Right now, a billion people do not have access to fresh drinking water. This may reach 3 billion people within 20 years.
Sustainability is inevitable (we can’t live beyond our means forever), but we have much control over how and when we get there! (And sooner is definitely better than later!)
1970s
The most commonly referenced definition of Sustainability / Sustainable Development:
“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” ‐Brundtland Commission, 1987
Sustainability is about harmony. It is a process that exists at the delicate balance between environmental health, social justice, and economic development.
Corporations call this the “Triple Bottom Line”
98% of executives from large corporations said that when they make hiring decisions….
… they would give preference to job candidates who have an academic concentration in
sustainability!
Our vision for a Sustainable World is starting to come to life!
People are Leading the Change We are seeing the emergence of the Sharing Economy!
People are Leading the Change American carbon emissions at lowest level in 50 years!
People are Leading the Change Bike commuting increased 47% in US (and 171% in DC) over the last decade!
People are Leading the Change Approximately 50 million US households grow some of their own food!
UMD Commitments: 1. Be a National Model for a Green University 2. Eliminate the University’s Carbon Footprint 3. Prepare All Students to Create a Sustainable Future 4. Use Water Sustainably 5. Minimize Waste 6. Advance Sustainability Locally and Globally
2700 solar panels at the Severn Building
Progress toward Carbon Neutrality
Achieved: 22% reduction in emissions from 2005 to 2014 Targets: 25% reduction in emissions by 2015 and 50% by 2020
President’s Energy Initiatives: Energy Conservation
President’s Energy Initiatives: Carbon Neutral New Development
President’s Energy Initiatives: Purchased Power
Encourage student to Minor in
Sustainability Studies! • 15 credits • Complements any major • See sustainability.umd.edu
Now the largest minor on campus!
At least
$300,000 is available every year to fund sustainability projects!
Terps
the Tap Granted $62,282
Maryland Educational & Solar Activities Laboratory Granted $30,000
WaterShed Granted $4,500
Green Façade at ENST/Animal Science Granted $9,500
Sphagnum Moss Pool Water Treatment Granted $64,718
Terp Farm Granted $124,000
Sustainability in Student Affairs • Students have been at the center • Study: How to be more effective and progressive?
Maria Lonsbury Project Specialist VPSA – VP Student Affairs
Sustainability Committee • Vice President’s vision to be a model for caring for the environment • Student Affairs Sustainability Committee ‐ change agents ‐ collaborators • Notable achievements
It’s Everyone’s Job
Allison Lilly Assistant Director for New Initiatives Dining Services
Dining Services Goals: 1.
Be a campus, and industry, leader for sustainability programs
2.
Enhance and promote a nourishing campus community
3.
Promote sustainable food through the Sustainable Food Commitment
Sustainable Food Committee • Initiated by Dining Services in Spring, 2012 • Mission: Examine ways to increase sustainable food options at UMD College Park Promote education, awareness and dialogue through a collaborative process of input, planning, and action implementation
Sustainable Food Commitment Goals: • 20% local and sustainable food by 2020 • 1‐4% annual increase in sustainable food purchasing based on financial feasibility and product availability • Annual, incremental increases in sourcing from local growers, with special emphasis on Maryland growers • Annual, incremental increases in sourcing whole, unprocessed foods
Sustainable Food Update
Our goal: 20% Sustainable Food by 2020 % of Total Spending
Fall 2011
Fall 2012
Fall 2013
Fall 2014
10.00%
12.64%
14.82%
20.15%
Sustainable Transportation
Anna McLaughlin Assistant Director VPSA – Transportation Services
Sustainable Transportation
Anna McLaughlin Assistant Director VPSA – Transportation Services
Sustainable Transportation
Goal: Reduce carbon emissions by providing a variety of programs and incentives that reduce single occupancy vehicle trips.
Sustainable Transportation
One Size Does Not Fit All
Sustainable Transportation Shuttle‐UM • 3.3 million riders annually • 74 transit vehicles • 24 different routes
Sustainable Transportation • Transit options to campus are numerous: Shuttle‐UM, MetroRail, MetroBus, MARC, MTA Commuter Bus, PG County – The Bus • SmartBenefits allows you to payroll deduct your public transportation commute costs on a pre‐tax basis • Ridesharing is a great way to get discounted parking and access to preferred parking spots – you can find a carpool partner online • Guaranteed Ride Home provides commuters who carpool, bike, walk, or take transit to work with a FREE & reliable ride home if an unexpected emergency comes up
Sustainable Transportation • Bundle Packs are available to faculty & staff who only need to park on campus occasionally • Low Emission Vehicles can save 20% off a parking registration if they qualify as EPA Certified SmartWay Elite • Electric Vehicle Charging Stations are located in 7 different locations across campus • Zipcar has a number of vehicles on and adjacent to campus that are available to rent by the hour
Sustainable Transportation • • • • •
Collaboration of Transportation Services & RecWell RecWell Bike Shop – Free Maintenance & Repair Semester, Weekly, Daily Bike Rentals Classes & Clinics – Learn to Ride a Bike Recreation & Wellness Bike Rides – BikeYo!
Sustainable Transportation • • • • • •
Bike Registration Bike Parking Sharrows & Signage Discounted Helmets, Locks and Bike Lights Bike Repair Stations Bike Storage
Sustainable Transportation Bicycle Friendly University • The Bicycle Friendly University program recognizes institutions of higher education for promoting and providing a more bikeable campus for students, staff and visitors. • Silver BFU in 2011 • Gold BFU in 2014
Sustainable Transportation
Sustainable Transportation Looking Ahead • Parking Outlook • Bikeshare! • Purple Line
Dan Wray Assistant Director for Facilities VPSA ‐ Adele H. Stamp Student Union
• 17,000 guests per day on average • Program Offices, Ballrooms, 10 food court vendors, Adele’s restaurant, Retail shops and catering kitchen • Green Roofs • Green Office Gold • Efficient lighting upgrades • Post Consumer Compost • Retro‐fit of loading dock • Student & Visitor Outreach
• Great project partnerships such as: • Post‐Consumer Compost • Battery bins • Plastic bag collection • Chef Gardens • E‐Waste collection
• Recyclemania!
Green Roofs
Chef ’s Gardens
Green Office
Lighting Upgrades $12k+ in Pepco Rebates
Post Consumer Composting
1. Collected on campus 2. Hauled by Facilities Management 3. Composted by Maryland Environmental Services in Upper Marlboro 4. Used for nutrients at Terp Farm
Outreach in the Food Court • Peer education • Color Coded bags • Tray displays • Sorting video • Trash Audits • Informative signage • #StampNapkins
ENGAGEMENT POSTERS
#StampNapkins
Panel Discussion
Future Outlook & Audience Sharing
