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Community and Campus Sustainability
Presented toDepartment of Energy
Facilities Information Management System / RE Workshop
Thomas Piechota, Ph.D., P.EAssociate Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research
Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Outline
Background and Drivers
National Perspective
UNLV Efforts
Defining Sustainability
Drivers
Climate Change
Aging infrastructure
– $1.7 trillion
Growth of intermountain west
– Doubling of population in next 20 years
– Infrastructure Challenges
Depletion of natural resources
What is Sustainability?
Sustainability
Environment Social (Equity)
Environmental—EconomicEnergy Efficiency
Incentives for green buildings
Economic-SocialEthical business practices
Fair tradeWorker’s rights
Environmental—SocialEnvironmental justice
Stewards of the environmentAdapted from the 2002 University of Michigan Sustainability Assessment
Economic
Sustainability
Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987)
Principles of Sustainability
Life Cycle Analysis
Systems Thinking
Resilience
Outline
Background and Drivers
National Perspective
UNLV Efforts
Why is this Important?
Campuses use a lot resources (e.g.,
energy, water, waste)
Students
Need to break down silos
Rating Systems
Solar Decathlon (http://www.solardecathlon.org/ )
(Net Zero Energy Home)EfficiencyReliabilityMarketability
Sustainability and Higher Education
Research Curriculum
Outreach
Campus
American Colleges and Universities President’s Climate Commitment
Inventory of greenhouse
gas emissions
Climate neutral plan
Integration of
sustainability into
curriculum
Reporting of progress
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS)
Education and Research
Operations
Planning, Administration,
& Engagement
Innovation
How STARS Works
Self Reporting
Points awarded
according to
reported
activities
Final Score is
weighted plus
Innovation
Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS)
Currently 276 institutions registered
Of these, 56 have completed reporting
Rating system at a glance:
Score Needed> 85> 65> 45> 23
Outline
Background and Drivers
National Perspective
UNLV Efforts
STARS – UNLV at a Glance
Education & Research 47%
Operation: 34%
Planning: 58%
Innovation: + 4
Overall 50%
SILVER RATING!
New Education Efforts Solar and Renewable Energy Minor
http://environmental.unlv.edu/solar/
Undergraduate education (sustainability in the Gen Ed Core, 1st year experience)
Sustainability as a campus-wide “theme”
Internships
UNLVUrban Sustainability Initiative
(USI) MissionTo reach out and collaborate with faculty, students, community groups, and national/international leaders in finding solutions for the quality of life challenges confronting the Las Vegas metropolitan area, Nevada, the Southwest, the nation, and world.
Research Efforts
$99 million in clean
energy research over
last 10 years
Interdisciplinary
Research Teams Water Resources
Transportation
Health and Built Environment
Nevada Infrastructure for Climate Change Science, Education, and Outreach
(nvclimatechange.org)
Ed
ucation
Coordinating Group Co-PIs
Gayle Dana (Project Director)
Campus Sustainability Efforts
CampusRecycling Efforts
Xeriscape Environments
LEED Certified Facilities
Campus Sustainability Efforts
President’s Climate Commitment
Sustainability and Energy/Water Efficiency Policy
(VP for Finance and Business)
2010 Association of Physical Plant Administrators
Award for Excellence
Sustainability Council
Sustainability Interns (e.g., STARS)
Awareness events (e.g., Focus the Nation,
Earthhour)
Campus Sustainability Practices
Rebel Recycling
Food waste
– Trayless dining
– Composting
Green purchasing
Green athletic events
Advanced energy management
Water conservation
LEED Certified Buildings
Science and Engineering Building
Greenspun Hall
UNLV Utilities – Energy Use
UNLV Utilities – Water Use
Campus Facts
$1.83 million dollars in energy savings in 2008
$11 million dollars saved in utility costs since
2001
697 tons of material recycled in 2009
UNLV now diverts more of its waste stream than
it landfills!
212,402 ft2 of turf removed in 2009
25% of the UNLV Foundation investment portfolio
indexed on Dow Jones Sustainability Index
Conferences Inaugural Sustainability Summit (Nov 2007)
National Clean Energy Summit (Aug 2008, 2009,
2010)
Brookings Institute Roundtable (Oct 2008)
Sustainability and Climate Change Education
Conference (Mar 2009)
North American Energy Roundtable (Mar 2009)
EarthHour (Mar 2009, 2010)
Clean Energy Forum (September 2010)
North American Energy-Water Nexus Roundtable
(April 2011)
Community Partners
City of Las Vegas
Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Regional Transportation Commission
NV Energy
Southern Nevada Water Authority
Clark County
QUESTIONS
