Sustainability is CENTRAL

1. Sustainability is CENTRAL Update on Sustainability Activities on the Campus of Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, Michigan 2010

2. What is sustainability? • Sustainable systems are those which are: “…meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” – Our Common Future, UN- World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) AKA “The Brundtlund Report” • Sustainable systems focus on the “Triple bottom line”: • Economic bottom line (profits & fiscal health) • Environmental bottom line (planetary health) • Social bottom line (health of people and society)

3. Why is it important? • Shared planet—there are finite resources… • Global Climate Change • Weather extremes; intense storms • Global warming nearing a tipping point • Earth’s human population continues to grow and to consume resources and energy as economies develop. • Increased consumption per capita • U.S. has 5% of the world’s population but uses 25% of the world’s resources & energy. • China and India on the same path. • High dependence on fossil fuels and non-renewable resources… not sustainable over time.

4. Why it is important to focus on sustainability @ CMU • Universities are a microcosm of the larger society and can be laboratories for change. • Increased costs for materials, utilities, services, travel, etc. • Obligation to Michigan taxpayers to operate responsibly. • Higher Education budgets not keeping pace with costs • Educate students to be socially responsible, environmentally responsible, and fiscally responsible • Encourage civic engagement • Model behavior – set the example. Showcase success. • Shift institutional culture and have students carry this with them when they graduate • In higher education, “sustainability” involves facilities, curricula, research, operations, planning, purchasing, community outreach partnerships, professional development, and student life.

5. Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee (CSAC) • Formed in late January, 2008 by a charge from former President Michael Rao • 20 members – faculty, staff and students • Charged by the President to ensure that CMU strives to be “…ecologically sound, socially just, and economically viable now and for future generations.”

6. CSAC Charge Within one year: • Complete a comprehensive inventory of CMU’s past and present energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and building growth. • Develop a comprehensive plan to stabilize and reduce long-term energy and utility costs. • Draft an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy that promotes the purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products. • Formalize sustainable design & operations policies so all new campus construction and major renovation projects are built to LEED specifications. • Develop an institutional action plan with target dates, goals, actions and mechanisms for tracking progress.

7. CSAC Charge In subsequent years: • Recommend a target percentage of electricity that should be purchased or produced from renewable energy sources. • Recommend a target percentage by which CMU should reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • Complete a comprehensive review of additional initiatives and activities that will further CMU’s commitment to sustainability. • Partner with senior leadership to model appropriate behaviors, raise public awareness, and integrate sustainability into the institutional culture. • Engage and encourage academic leadership to integrate sustainability into the curriculum. • Incorporate sustainability concepts into existing purchasing policies and practices.

8. What is CMU doing? • Member of • U.S. Green Building Council • College and University Caucus, a division of the National Recycling Coalition • AASHE (Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education) – http://www.aashe.org • Support car pooling and public transportation use. • Green cleaning products in use • Energy conservation • Water conservation • Recycling

9. Significant Actions -- Energy • New Energy Manager position – to assure sustainable energy use on campus • ESCO Audit – RFP going out soon. • 1,250 ton steam absorber unit on line • Comprehensive Inventory of all energy use and calculation of CMU’s “carbon footprint”. • Action plan to reduce energy use.

10. Biomass Fuel at CMU • Referenced in the 2006 NACUBO publication “The Business Case for Renewable Energy: A Guide for Colleges and Universities” • Use of wood chips in CMU’s central heating and cooling plant replaces natural gas and saves over $1 million per year in energy costs. Fire Up, Chips! Wood chips that is…..

11. Significant Actions -- Purchasing • “Energy Star” rated appliances required in purchasing policy (computers, monitors, etc.) • Phase out of personal inkjet printers • Networking of laser printers • Flat screen monitors for desktops • Apple eWaste program – recycling of electronics • Identification of “green products” to purchase and other products to avoid. -- Recycled paper – yes! -- Products made from post-consumer recyclables – yes! -- Bottled water – no! University Stores is constantly evaluating products and seeking “greener alternatives”

12. Significant Actions -- Dining • Local food purchases where possible • Trayless dining in residential restaurants • Reductions in water use • Reductions in food waste (34%) • Evaluation of campus composting program • Retrofitting of ventilation hoods for energy conservation

13. Significant Actions -- Curriculum • Review and listing of CMU courses that address sustainability concepts • Recommendations for new courses • Evaluating the addition of sustainability into the general education curriculum • Proposed revisions to the CMU “Red Book” to include expectations of sustainable student actions while on campus.

14. Significant Actions – Living Environment • Classroom renovations will address efficient lighting and HVAC (Pearce) • Brooks Hall – HVAC update • Picnic tables and landscaping • Educational posters, etc. in residential halls. • Recycling & Energy Reduction competitions • Improved campus landscape

15. Significant Actions -- Building • Sustainable Design and Operations Policy • Published standard for all new construction and major renovations • Education & Human Services Building will be LEED certified– Likely at the “Gold” level. • Seeking LEED certification in all new construction and renovations. • Geothermal heating system @ Beaver Island Biological Station.

16. What Can Everyone Do? • Be proactive: • Reduce consumption, Reuse materials, Recycle! • Turn off lights in areas not in use; Keep windows closed; Turn off computers. • Walk, use public transportation, car pool. • Think before you print. Use paper on both sides • Make “sustainability” a core concept in your operation….part of everyone’s job. • Submit ideas: • Click “Sustainability” on CMU home page • http://www.cmich.edu/Sustainability_Institute/Campus_Sustainability.htm

17. Any Questions?? Contact: Tom Rohrer, Director Great Lakes Institute for Sustainable Systems 116 Anspach Hall -- CMU (989) 774-7636 tom.rohrer@cmich.edu