ENGAGING THE RIT CAMPUS IN SUSTAINABILITY

Defining SustainabilityIs it one of those “I know it when I see it” things?

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

- Brundtland Commission, “Our Common Future”

Food for Thought

The average American generates 1600lbs of trash annually (that’s 4.4lbs/day)!

The typical food product we consume travels 1500 miles before reaching our table.

In the last century, 90% of all large fish have disappeared from the ocean.

The Colorado River no longer reaches the Pacific Ocean

Source: http://www.zerowaste.org

Earth Image: NASAPopulation chart: SUSPS

Source: http://www.vspop.org/htm/cartoons.htm

Green… Sustainable… Aren’t They the Same Thing?

reliableprosperity.net

At RIT

Campus

Classroom

Community

Connect

RIT Sustainability

Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Rating System

Category 1: Education & Research (ER)Co-Curricular EducationCurriculumResearch

Category 2: Operations (OP)BuildingsClimateDining ServicesEnergyGroundsPurchasingTransportationWasteWater

Category 3: Planning, Admin. & Engagement Coordination and PlanningDiversity and AffordabilityHuman ResourcesInvestmentPublic Engagement

Category 4: Innovation (IN)

Academics Degree programs and concentrations Golisano Institute for Sustainability Institute for Business Ethics and Corporate

Social Responsibility Sustainable University IdeaLab P3 Working Group Journal of Environmental Sustainability

Outreach Clinton Global Initiative Commitment NYSP2I Community/University Partnership Future Stewards Program International Campuses Rochester City Scholars Program Clean Energy Incubator

Operations Climate Commitment Waste Reduction Local Foods LEED Buildings Active Transportation Initiatives Green Cleaning FSC Certified Print Shop Metrics within Procurement

Current Initiatives

Dining 34% of overall purchases are locally sourced Fair trade coffee available Trayless dining and reusable mugs

Waste Reduction Single stream recycling Landscape waste composting Recycling electronics, ink and

toner cartridges, lamps…..

Current Initiatives Cont. Transportation

Increased bike paths and bike parking Shuttle service Low emission vehicle parking Alternative fueled vehicles

Buildings Commitment to LEED Silver or better Existing building retro-commissioning project

Current Initiatives Cont. Energy

Centralized heating and cooling systems Lighting retrofits Building Automation System Increased metering

Climate Commitment Annual GHG Inventories Climate Action Plan (CAP)

GHG Inventory 2009 – baseline year

Scope 1 & 2: 49,641 metric tons of CO2e Scope 3: 35,996 metric tons of CO2e Net Total: 85,637 metric tons of CO2e

2010 Scope 1 & 2: 44,791 metric tons of CO2e Scope 3: 30,436 metric tons of CO2e Offsets: 2,548 metric tons of CO2e Net Total: 72,679 metric tons of CO2e

•Facilities

•Food Service

•Grounds

•Outreach

•Purchasing

•Recycling

•Transportation

Focus Areas

Climate Action Plan

Going Forward Save resources (financial and natural)!!! Develop baseline data and establish metrics Increase student engagement Expand opportunities for collaboration Leverage purchasing and work with suppliers Make it easy (office and events certifications) Encourage behavior change

Source: http://hotrock-sustainabilityeducation.blogspot.com

Enid L. Cardinal, LEED APSenior Sustainability Advisor to the President

Rochester Institute of Technology585-475-7942

Enid.Cardinal@rit.edu

" We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them." - Albert Einstein