To control climate warming, the State of California, in its Climate Warming Solutions Act of 2006, has mandated steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. According to the California Energy Commission (2007), CO2 emissions from energy use account for 80% of California’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, to better understand the sources of CO2 emissions at Cal State East Bay, to establish an emissions baseline, and to identify key opportunities to reduce emissions, Professor Karina Garbesi conducted an assessment with students in her applied Applied Field Studies class (ENVT/GEOG 3480). Key findings include the following: In 2006, 3.1 tons of CO2 were emitted per person (students, faculty, and staff). Commute related emissions dominated at 26,000 tons of CO2, with the next highest source (electricity) being about 1/3 that of commuting. Electricity related carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour were about 30% higher than the state’s average because of the high coal-content of electricity obtained from the system-wide direct access electricity contract with APS Energy Services. Surveys conducted by the class suggested that a significant fraction of students would be amenable to increased carpooling (61%) and increased public transit (45%) use if they were better facilitated. Electricity related emissions reductions can be easily obtained by imposing carbon standards on future electricity contracts (an action that must be taken at the Chancellor’s Office because they negotiate the multi-campus electricity contracts), and through continued efforts to improve energy efficiency (under way) and add renewable electricity generation capacity on campus.

Download CSU East Bay Carbon Report

Committed to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions on campus, a study group is putting together an action plan this summer that will guide Cal Poly Pomona toward that goal.

The implementation plan is the next step under the Presidents Climate Commitment, which President Michael Ortiz signed in 2007 along with more than 200 college presidents and chancellors from across the country.

“The focus of this effort is on preparing an action plan that will guide the university’s actions over the next two decades,” said Urban & Regional Planning Professor Rick Willson, an advisor to the group. “The study team is inventorying the considerable level of actions taken thus far, interviewing Climate Task Force members on the work of subcommittees and preparing to conduct evaluations of the strategies that are cost effective and support other university goals.”

Full Story: Climate Neutrality Plan in the Works

San Francisco State University has completed its first greenhouse gas inventory, which reports 1990 – 2006 emissions. The inventory calculates emissions from purchased electricity, natural gas, air travel, university fleet, commuter transportation, and solid waste. It also calculates sequestration from composting. The report found that, in 2006, the campus emitted 61,184 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, a 47 percent increase from 1990. The campus plans to spend this summer and next year developing a Sustainability Action Plan.

More Information: San Francisco State GHG Emissions 1990-2006

Renewable energy. Electric vehicles. Artificial turf. Organic food and compostable plates, bowls and flatware. Environmentally friendly building projects.

CSUMB is turning green faster than a chemically fertilized golf course in summer.

President Dianne Harrison has signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which obligates schools to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and teach sustainability.

“Global warming is a defining challenge of our time,” said Dr. Harrison. “Human activities are responsible for the problem, and working together humans have the capacity to solve the problem. That means taking serious action to stop adding global warming pollution to the atmosphere.

“CSUMB is committed to leading the way.”

Full Story: A commitment to the environment, CSUMB joins fight against global warming

Each year thousands of tons of trash is sent to landfills around the country. Much of this waste contains toxic chemicals which can leech into the ground and contaminate the water tables that feed our taps at home. Even more of this waste could have been recycled, being used as raw materials for another product. By purchasing materials that have been previously used or discarded we can reduce our environmental impact, and work toward becoming more sustainable.

At California State University, Chico about 220 gallons of paint are used each year, of that 25% is recycled. More »