Vote for Green Gadgets!

Image copyright greengadgets.com

The 2009 Greener Gadgets Conference in New York is hosting the 2nd Design Competition for gadgets that encourage greener living. The competition finalists are now online and can be voted on to pick the top 10 gadgets for a live judging the conference on February 27th. The winners may be produced for retail sale.
The Greener Gadgets Conference brings together innovators, entrepreneurs and eco-designers from the world of technology and includes environmental visionaries from the worlds of technology and media.
Learn more about the conference here.
And vote for your favorite gadgets here.

Timothy Beatley Visits UNC

Last Thursday February 19th, Timothy Beatley, a Teresa Heinz Professor of Sustainable Communities at the University of Virginia, presented a lecture titled “Planning for Resilient Cities”. A graduate of the Department of City and Regional Planning at UNC, Timothy Beatley is widely recognized as the leader in the Green Urbanism movement.

Sponsored by the DCRP Planners’ Forum, the UNC Scholars Program and the Institute for the Environment this talk was chock full of brilliant examples of sustainable initiatives undertaken by cities from around the world. Here is just a small sample of what he talked about.

Did you know that there are houses out there that are not only carbon neutral but actually “plus energy”? These houses produce more energy from renewable resources than they consume, thus putting energy back into the grid. One house actually revolves to capture more sunlight!

Copenhagen has done much to integrate bicycles into people’s every day routine. There are valet bicycle parking lots, and one multistory parking garage has a café and a bicycle/pedestrian only access to the center of the city. In Helsinki the bicycle share program is free and paid for by advertising on the bicycles’ wheels and frame. Plus the program provides jobs for the underprivileged! And think about the amount of space that bicycles and pedestrians save.

Christiansfeld, Denmark has adopted a Naked Streets initiative to create shared space on roads. All signs and markings have been removed from the focus streets and intersections to encourage drivers to be more cautious. Now drivers are forced to make eye contact with other drivers and pedestrians to establish each right of way individually. This shared space concept puts pedestrians and drivers on an equal playing field with due consideration for the other users of the space. And accidents decreased as a result!

And what about the Problem of Stuff? Australia (and almost every single other country in the world) has a Toy Library. Families can check out toys and then return them at will as their child gets bored of the toys. Wouldn’t tool libraries be another great concept?

Many cities including Vancouver are rekindling the connection between the farm and the city. Mole Hill, Vancouver converted a parking lot to a raised bed farm. Others are trying vertical farming, or the 100-mile diet or growing food in suburban back yards. One resourceful entrepreneur leases his neighbors’ back yards and grows enough food for a CSA!

If you’d like to learn more, check out Timothy Beatley’s books on these topics:
Green Urbanism: Learning From European Cities
Resilient Cities: Responding to Peak Oil and Climate Change
Green Urbanism Down Under: Learning from Sustainable Communities in Australia
and many more!

-Daria Khramtsova, Research & Communications Intern, UNC Sustainability Office

How will North Carolina Spend its Stimulus Package?

Curious what North Carolina has in store for the stimulus package? Stimulus Watch has a state by state list of “shovel ready” projects for which the mayors in each state have requested federal stimulus funding. The website lists the amount of funding requested and the number of jobs each project will create. It also allows users of the website to update project information, leave comments, discuss projects, vote for the ones they believe are most critical, and share project information with their friends.

But just because a city doesn’t appear on the Stimulus Watch website does not mean that those cities do not have projects they'd like to see funded. Once the stimulus bill passes, cites will make requests for federal grants, and we will likely see grants to projects not listed on the site.

The website lists projects by different “program types”. These sectors are federal funding streams — government programs designed to award money to the states for a variety of infrastructure-related uses. They are:

1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - HUD program established in 1974 that awards localities funds to spend on local projects that promote urban vitality, and primary benefit low to moderate income persons.
2. Energy - The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) is a Department of Energy program established in 2007 to provide grants to localities to adopt energy efficiency improvements.
3. Transit Equipment and Infrastructure - Department of Transportation programs to purchase buses, street cars, and maintain transit infrastructure.
4. City Streets/Metro Roads - The Surface Transportation Program, operated by DOT, provides bridge, bus, rail and road project funding
5. Airport Technology and Infrastructure - Airport Improvement Program, a DOT program that provides funds for specific airport repairs and improvements (runways, rescue equipment, noise abatement)
6. Amtrak - established by Congress in 1970 to operate passenger railways. Funding for railway upgrades, tunnels, bridges and stations.
7. Water and Wastewater Infrastructure - federal grants used to repair water and sewer infrastructure, and protect the water supply
8. Public Housing Modernization - HUD Public Housing Capital Fund for repairs to public housing
9. Public Safety - Funding for the Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grant, and Byrne Justice Assistance Grant program, Justice Department programs that provide money to hire security personnel and equipment.
10. Schools - a new federal program is proposed to provide federal funds to modernize school buildings.

Looks like sustainability is catching on all around the country, not just at UNC!
Read more at: http://www.stimuluswatch.org/

"If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it." — Lord Kelvin

Image copyright Google.org

Got questions about saving energy and money? Google.org will soon have personalized answers just for you! How much electricity does the fridge use? Which results in more cost savings: turning down the thermostat one degree or turning off your laptop? Google is in the testing stages for a prototype product called the Google PowerMeter that will give users real time information about their energy consumption. This device will be free and will show how much energy your house is using at any point throughout the day right on your Google homepage! One tester of the prototype reported seeing a spike in energy use in the kitchen, only to find out that the toaster oven had been turned on all night. Another switched from using a toaster oven to a regular toaster, which he reports uses 33 times less energy. We hope this device is available for general use soon, so we too can figure out the energy wasters in our house!

Read more here: http://www.google.org/powermeter/index.html
Join their mailing list: http://groups.google.com/group/energyinformation

Get Ready for Spring by Building a Recycled Bicycle

Image copyright Carrboro ReCYCLEry

Like working with bikes? Want to build your own or help someone else work on their bike? Three non-profit organizations in the Triangle area offer workshops for building and maintaining bikes. By joining the organization you can earn the chance to build your own bike with the help of technicians and donated parts if you don’t already own one, or you can come in and get help repairing your bike. If your bikes are all in working order you can help others work on their bikes and build your technical skills. No experience necessary! But don’t think you can just drop off your bike and pay to get it fixed here. All members must spend time learning how to repair their bikes and this takes time and patience but the rewards are plentiful. After learning how to fix a bike you’ll never feel helpless when something goes wrong.

The goal of the three organizations is to recycle and provide a new owner for bikes that would otherwise have been thrown away, promote independence and equity through access to non-motorized means of transport and encourage a sense of community through volunteerism and involvement.

Want to find out more? Visit their websites at:

Durham
Durham Bike Co-Op - durhambikecoop.org

Raleigh
1304 Bikes - 1304bikes.org

Carrboro
The Recyclery - http://www.recyclery.info/

-Daria Khramtsova, Research & Communications Intern, UNC Sustainability Office

Birds Living Farther North

Image copyright of Audubon.org

A new study by the Audubon Society indicates that many bird species are living further to the north than before. The study cites global warming as the main factor in causing the preferred habitats of as many as 177 of the 305 species recorded by the Society to shift an average of 35 miles further north. More than 60 species moved 100 or more miles further north. This could be due to a milder climate in northern regions which means that birds don’t have to fly as far south to live in their preferred climate, or it could be due to the higher abundance of food supplies in the north as a result of warmer temperatures.

Either way the findings show a strong correlation between winter temperatures and bird distributions. And so the Audubon Society is calling for immediate action to mitigate global warming. Their suggestions include:
Reduce Global Warming Pollution

1. Reduce our Dependence on Oil
2. Invest in the Clean Energy Economy of Tomorrow
3. Repower America with Clean and Efficient Electricity

Read the full report here.

-Daria Khramtsova, Research & Communications Intern, UNC Sustainability Office

Students renew green energy fee!!!

Carolina students have, once again, voted overwhelmingly to support clean, green energy at UNC!!

After the votes were tallied last night, it was revealed that 83% of student votes approved the renewal and expansion of the existing $4/semester renewable energy student fee. This fee generates approximately $200,000 dollars per year that is used to directly fund various "green energy" projects on campus. Thus far, the green energy fee has funded:

• 172 solar thermal panels on top of Morrison Residence Hall
• Conversion of P2P's to 20% biodiesel
• 30 Geothermal Wells at the NC Botanical Gardens Visitor Education Center

With the expansion of this fee's charter now approved by students, funds can now also be used to fund energy efficiency projects that will have an immediate and lasting impact on campus. This is especially good news given the current state budget shortfalls. This ensures that Carolina will be able to afford the kinds of energy projects that will decrease both our ecological footprint AND our long-term energy costs!

This is just another great example of UNC students taking the lead towards a cleaner, greener future for the University, the State, and our our world as a whole! Kudos, Tar Heels!

You can check the headline in today's Daily Tar Heel online at:

http://issuu.com/dailytarheel/docs/021109?zoomed=true&zoomPercent=85.69495198367761&zoomXPos=0.5221072436500471&zoomYPos=0.19463087248322147

You can learn more about the renewable energy fee and RESPC by visiting http://respc.unc.edu/ or checing out this video.

TODAY: students vote on renewable energy fee

7:00 AM - 10:00 PM TODAY ONLY

STUDENTS: You may vote online or in person.

• Vote online by logging in at studentcentral.unc.edu with your onyen and password. Click the “Vote in student elections” button on the left side of the website.
• Vote in person at the staffed booths near the Pit or in Rams Head Plaza.

In addition to the Student Government elections, you will also be voting on renewal of the $4/semester Renewable Energy Fee. Here is the wording on the ballot:

“Do you support further initiatives by the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee and the University to maintain UNC’s position as an innovative leader in sustainability and carbon emission reduction? A vote of yes will approve the renewal of the Renewable Energy fee that will fund renewable energy (such as solar, biodiesel, and geothermal) and energy efficiency projects in situations directly affecting students. The fee, if approved, will be paid by undergraduate and graduate students.”

To learn more about the Renewable Energy Fee, check out this video OR visit the RESPC website at:
http://respc.unc.edu/referendum2009.html

Now go vote!!

CSE is the news

The Center for Sustainable Enterprise at the Kenan-Flagler Business School got another nod this past week in the Shreveport Times. Check it out here:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20090206/NEWS05/902060311/1064

-Brian Cain, Research & Outreach Manager, UNC Sustainability Office

Energy conservation by comparison

Last April, Sacramento Municipal Utility District began testing a a very interesting, and potentially very effective, behavior modification program to promote energy conservation. In short, randomly selected customers receive an energy bill that directly compares their energy usage to those of 100 homes of similar size AND 20 neighbors energy-efficient neighbors. Conserve energy - earn a smiley face. Use too much energy, look greedy by comparison.

It is an interesting concept that could help consumers put their own energy consumption in perspective. Thus far, Sacramento's program was brought slight results with 2% more energy reduction in households with comparison statements (as opposed to normal statements with no comparison). You can read more about Sacramento's comparison statement in the New York Times article, Utilities Turn Their Customers Green, With Envy, here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/31/science/earth/31compete.html?_r=1

This is a practice that would be excellent to have at UNC, as well. However, due to the huge diversity of building sizes, types, and systems, it is not as easy as comparing residential energy consumption. It requires an investment in sub-meters, tracking software systems, and a dedicated staff that understands the unique qualities of each building in order to interpret the data.

Enter the Energy Management team! Working from within the for the Facilities Services department, Energy Management is working towards "an energy consumption database reflecting monthly usage for all utilities including water. This will provide an ability to monitor monthly and annual energy and water consumption for steam, electricity, chilled water, water, natural gas and propane. Additionally it will provide the ability to compare one building to another, one month to another for either a specific building or a building type, and also to compare building types." (UNC Chapel Hill 2008 Strategic Energy and Water Plan)

Exciting, huh! So what is the potential for this system? In the short term, it allows us the ability to track resource consumption across the university. For an example of that, check out the touch-screen building dashboard in Morrison Residence Hall. In the long term, the opportunities are limitless!

-Brian Cain, Research & Outreach Manager, UNC Sustainability Office

"Renewable Energy Fee" on the student ballot!

BREAKING NEWS:

Last night, Student Congress approved the motion to place the $4/semester "renewable energy fee" on next week's student elections ballot for renewal! They also approved wording that would expanding reach of approved projects to include energy efficiency projects - something that is just as important in reducing UNC's energy dependence and environmental footprint.

The ballot will read:

“Do you support further initiatives by the Renewable Energy Special Projects Committee and the University to maintain UNC’s position as an innovative leader in sustainability and carbon emission reduction? A vote of yes will approve the renewal of the Renewable Energy fee that will fund renewable energy (such as solar, biodiesel, and geothermal) and energy efficiency projects in situations directly affecting students. The fee, if approved, will be paid by undergraduate and graduate students.”

So how will YOU vote next Tuesday? Learn about the renewable energy fee, SBP candidate positions, and more by visiting RESPC's special referendum website at:

http://respc.unc.edu/referendum2009.html

-Brian Cain, Research & Outreach Manager, UNC Sustainability Office

Build a Sustainable House

My Sust. House is a great interactive way to learn about building materials and their environmental impact! The game features short video clips about building materials and environmentally friendly habits that will help you save energy around the house. Then you get a budget and have to choose all your construction materials to build a complete house without running out of money. Would you choose to build your walls out of wood, brick and concrete blocks, or straw bales with a wood frame? Would your window frames be made of aluminum, soft wood or plastic? Can you choose all the best sustainable materials and still stay within your budget? Fortunately (or unfortunately depending on how you look at it), the game only tells you if your choices are ‘ok’, ‘good’, ‘brilliant’ and so forth, not ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ so to find out the best building options you’ll have to keep playing until you are satisfied your house is green enough.

Play the game here: http://www.mysusthouse.org/game.html

-Daria Khramtsova, Research & Communications Intern, UNC Sustainability Office

UNC investing millions in landfill gas project

UNC, as a signatory of the ACUPCC, has pledged to work towards becoming climate neutral. Currently much of the university's energy comes from coal burning plants, so an important step towards neutralize greenhouse gas emissions is investing in alternative energy sources.

TO this end, UNC and Orange County have agreed to a $5.5 million project (funded by UNC) to capture and process landfill gas for energy. If you haven't read the news yet, I highly recommend you check out today's edition of the Daily Tar Heel. It's story, County, UNC finalize landfill gas agreement, broke the news on campus and has most of the details. You can read it online at:
http://www.dailytarheel.com/news/city/county%252C_unc_nalize_land_ll_gas_agreement-1.1352989

-Brian Cain, Research & Outreach Manager, UNC Sustainability Office

“Nature-friendly Planning” Now Easier than Ever

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recently released their Green Growth Toolbox, a website meant to aid towns, cities and counties in implementing green planning solutions. The website contains a handbook, GIS data for creating maps, and sample ordinances to guide planning officials in managing growth while protecting natural resources.

The release of this toolbox is timely as North Carolina is facing continuing development pressures. According to the Green Growth Toolbox website:

• 3 million people will move to NC over the next 20 years
• 3 of the nation’s top 20 “sprawl centers” are in North Carolina: the Research Triangle, the Triad and the Charlotte metro region
• More than 100,000 acres of North Carolina’s forests and fields are developed each year – an area the size of Winston-Salem and High Point combined

Having data on floodplains, watersheds, biodiversity, managed lands and natural heritage all in one place is fairly exciting stuff and will surely streamline a lot of information searching for many state agencies and students.

-Daria Khramtsova, Research & Communications Intern, UNC Sustainability Office

"Green Energy" at UNC?

Tomorrow, Student Congress will decide whether to place the renewal of the $4 renewable energy fee on the upcoming ballot. If approved, this will be the third time that UNC students are able to directly decided the fate of clean, green, renewable energy at UNC. Thus far, this fee has been used to directly fund some of Carolina's most prominent sustainable energy initiatives - from solar hot water in Morrison Residence Hall to biodesiel in the P2P buses.

In 2003, 75% of students supported the $4 green energy fee. In 2005, 85% of students supported the renewal of the fee. Will students once again vote to fund these important energy projects at UNC?

To learn more about the $4 green energy fee and REPSC (the student organization that administers the fee and coordinates project funding), visit http://respc.unc.edu/

You can also learn more by reading the Daily Tar Heel's recent article, Renewable energy fee to be voted on, at http://www.dailytarheel.com/news/university/renewable_energy_fee_to_be_voted_on-1.1316580

-Brian Cain, Research & Outreach Manager, UNC Sustainability Office