Earth Day 2022 – Progress for World’s Sustainable Architecture
The global climate crisis continues to be a threat to the built environment and ecosystem. The IPCC’s report, Climate Change 2022: Impacts and Adaptation, highlights that progress on adaptation is uneven and must continue. On Earth Day 2022, let’s look at how we can make our buildings more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. Here are some tips. Incorporate these practices into your next building project.
Sustainability at Utah Valley University
Continuing our tradition of environmental awareness and sustainability, UVU has recently hosted Earth Week activities. One event involved planting 50 new trees around campus, and another featured a trail clean-up on Mount Timpanogos. The GRIT Garden, which was established next to the Utah County Academy of Sciences, will provide fresh produce to the Food Pantry for distribution. In addition to focusing on environmental issues, UVU’s campus is committed to recycling and using renewable energy sources.
In addition to campus-wide recycling and composting, the UVU Sustainability Committee also works with faculty and staff to promote sustainable living habits. The committee also has subcommittees devoted to waste reduction and recycling and swag with a green appeal. The Water Conservation Subcommittee, for example, focuses on campus-wide water conservation. It promotes smart watering and improved tracking of water use.
Credit: The College Post
The main campus at UVU includes 48 buildings, and all were constructed with the same design style before 2005. Concourses connect all major buildings. Two reflecting ponds border the west side of the campus, a stream runs through the east, and a multi-dimensional fountain adorns the center of the main campus. These features contribute to the campus’ green image. Sustainable building practices are incorporated into every aspect of UVU’s operations.
UVU has been using geothermal wells for over forty years. It uses the water from the large aquifer beneath the campus to warm and cool air. Its energy-efficient process does not take water out of the aquifer and does not introduce contaminants to it. Using this resource reduces the campus’s use of electricity and natural gas, and helps to preserve the earth’s aquifer.
Sustainability at CSU
The School of Sustainability at Colorado State University has signed the Climate Reality Pledge. The university has established a School of Global Environmental Sustainability and all eight colleges offer majors related to sustainability. The school also has a long-term goal of increasing student satisfaction with the education and work experience they receive. Sustainability initiatives are integral to the university’s mission and will continue to grow. Here’s how CSU can achieve this goal:
One example is the University’s greenhouse gas inventory. The CSU Office of sustainability is actively looking into ways to reduce the amount of single-occupant vehicles on campus. The university also is investigating the installation of solar panels on campus. The installation of these panels is expected to reduce energy waste. Students will be taught to practice sustainable behaviors from an early age. Sustainability is not only a conscious decision; it’s also a practical way to ensure a healthy and productive campus.
Credit: thoughtco
The University has implemented a comprehensive climate action plan. Goals and objectives are included in the Climate Action Plan. These strategies are aimed at increasing energy efficiency, reducing GHG emissions, and ensuring the appropriate size of campus fleets. The plan outlines specific goals and benchmarks for CSU’s sustainability efforts. Moreover, it provides an opportunity to engage students in the discussion of sustainability initiatives. And because of its high-profile involvement, CSU has become one of the leading universities in the nation.
Among the most prominent faculty members and students is Dr. Daniel M. Fernandez. He is the Director of the School of Global Environmental Sustainability. He teaches classes related to environmental sustainability. His interests include climate change, soil ecology, and oceanography. Sustainability is also important in the world’s economic growth. He also works with students on environmental policy and has several advisory committees under the California Natural Resources Agency. He is a good example of sustainability in a university setting.
The Office of Sustainability also has a strong commitment to addressing climate change and the energy crisis. The office’s staff focuses on sustainable energy planning, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and water efficiency. The office also compiles metrics and publishes annual sustainability reports on its progress. Previously, she worked as the regional program director at the Nature Conservancy and managed sustainability compliance at the Grand Canyon facilities. She hopes to broaden student opportunities by implementing the Carbon Neutrality Initiative.
Sustainability at Northbrook School District 30
Sustainability at Northbrook School District 30 is a top priority. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to become involved in school programs, join local groups, and take on personal environmental responsibility. The district’s Climate Action Plan encourages students to reduce their carbon footprint and use renewable energy sources whenever possible. The district’s Go Green Northbrook campaign offers a wide range of opportunities to support sustainability, including spirit days and community service projects.
Credit: Journal-topics
Sustainability at UVU
Using geothermal energy, recycling, water, and energy service company projects as a way to reduce power bills are just a few ways that UVU is going green. Sustainability coordinator Genevieve Richards emphasized that these efforts have both environmental and financial benefits. By using renewable energy, UVU will have a fixed utility rate for 25 years. The university also re-uses irrigation water to water its lawns and vegetation.
As the largest higher-education institution in the state, UVU is under the responsibility to be a good steward of the environment. It must reduce its impact on the natural world and promote an environment that fosters innovation and environmental responsibility. Therefore, it has put an emphasis on designing an energy-efficient campus and working to become the “greenest” university in Utah. Among its goals is to become carbon neutral by 2050.
Students interested in sustainability are prepared for a wide range of careers, including government, business, education, agriculture, and urban planning. Those who have completed the program have gone on to work as consultants, policymakers, botanists, and renewability coordinators. Others went on to pursue graduate-level degrees in public health, environmental sciences, and business administration. In addition to these jobs, many ENVST graduates have been employed in public service, environmental journalism, and agriculture.
Since 1977, the administration of UVU has been conscious of its surroundings. UVU purchased over 185 acres of land from the government in southwest Orem. The university uses geothermal ground-source heat pumps to heat and cool buildings. Water from one well is used to heat or cool air across campus, with water returning to the other side. This process has a positive impact on the environment. This project is an excellent example of how the university is becoming more sustainable.
