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Energy

Fossil fuel energy byproducts are some of the most widely distributed and dangerous global pollutants. U Sustain strives to find ways to decrease energy consumption and expand the use of renewable energy on campus.

Wind Energy at Union

In 2007, Student Forum worked with President Ainlay to finance the purchase of wind power. The college now supplies 15 percent of its energy from wind, helping to decrease its carbon dioxide emissions as part of the ACUPCC. If you want to continue to advance wind power, contact your student rep.

Why Conserve electricity, waste, and natural gas?

All of these factors are inextricably tied to the environment. There isn't enough water to go around, the natural gas that heats our buildings contributes to global warming, waste goes to landfills, and 83 percent of the electricity in New York State is non-renewable.1

See the Do it in the Dark Video.

For ideas about how to conserve on campus, visit Do it in the Dark.

Electricity and Natural Gas

Consumption of electricity is largely of non-renewable energy sources, or fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are stored masses of carbon that we burn to produce heat energy. These sources of energy produce carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, which leads to human produced global warming. A good overview of the "greenhouse effect" and global warming was produced by the BBC.

Our heating system is also based off fossil fuels, so shutting the window and turning down the thermostat, where applicable, helps. We can help by letting facilities know when rooms are too hot and by wearing extra clothes to stay warm - it is much more efficient than heating an entire room.

Waste

Waste has several facets leading to environmental problems. The most obvious problem is the storage of waste. Contrary to myth, waste does not biodegrade in landfills.2 This means, that we need to constantly find new places to put tons and tons of waste. Second, all waste started as a virgin resource somewhere.

It also requires enormous amounts of energy to produce new goods. For example, recycling one aluminum can saves six ounces of gasoline. (Raven & Berg, 346) One pound of plastic produces over two pounds of petroleum3. A vast majority of power sources produce significant amounts of carbon dioxide.

Another issue as that Americans, on average, produce 4.5 pounds of waste per day, up from 2.7 pounds per day in 1960.4 If the Union College community were to revert to 1960s waste production, the college would save 437 tons of waste from landfills saving the college well over $40,000, annually. For a good overview of the impacts of consumerism see Story of Stuff.

Sources

  • Brown, Lester R. Plan B: Rescuing a Planet under Stress and a Civilization in Trouble. W.W. Norton & Company Inc. New York, NY. 2003.
  • Raven, Peter & Berg, Linda. Environment John Wiley and Sons. Danvers, MA. 2004.

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    U Sustain seeks to promote sustainability initiatives and educate the campus community about ways to live, work, and enjoy Union in the most environmentally friendly and sustainable ways possible.

     

    Academics
    In an age of pressing environmental concerns, the government, businesses, and universities need graduates that understand basic environmental concerns and solutions. By incorporating environmental and sustainability education, we empower our students to participate in and strengthen our changing society.

    Recycling
    Everything we purchase, use, throw away, or recycle has an impact. U Sustain seeks to help you diminish or eliminate that impact as much as possible through recycling, reduction, and reuse.

    Energy
    Energy is an important component of sustainability and encompasses the electricity that keeps the lights on and the gas that keeps us warm in the blustery Schenectady winter. Knowledge about reducing our energy, and, in turn, our carbon footprint, can enable us all to make a difference.

    Food
    One way we can all make a difference is by being conscious of what we eat and how we eat it. U Sustain seeks to help us all lower our environmental impact by eating local and organic, buying fair trade, using less packaging, and making vegetarian options appealing.

    Transportation
    Union is a residential, walkable campus, but U Sustain is working on ways to help you get around Union and the greater Schenectady area comfortably, while keeping the environment in mind.