The Universitas Indonesia’s annual GreenMetric report rates campuses worldwide on their sustainability programs. For the second year in a row, Carolina ranked 8th in the world and third in the United States out of 301 universities. Campuses were evaluated in six categories: setting and infrastructure; energy and climate change; waste management; water usage; transportation; and education. The Tar Heel Bikes share program and increase in the number of sustainability-related courses were noted among accomplishments and helped Carolina hold its standing. The University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom ranked first, and three other U.S. universities—Northeastern, University of Connecticut, University of California Davis, and North Carolina A&T State University— made the top ten list. To see complete rankings, read more »
Friday, January 24, 2014
EcoReps Student Training, Saturday, January 25
EcoReps are Carolina’s trained peer-to-peer sustainability outreach team. Learn about campus sustainability initiatives that advance ecological integrity, economic prosperity, and social equity. Then learn the skills needed to effectively engage others. Training is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, from 10 am - 3 pm at the FPG Student Union, room 3209, and counts as a Public Service Scholars Skills Training. Email ecoreps.uncch@gmail.com to sign up for the training.
Koury Oral Health Sciences Building Awarded LEED Gold Certification
Established by the U.S. Green Building Council, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction, and operation of high performance, green buildings. The Koury Oral Health Sciences Building achieved LEED Gold certification for incorporating a variety of sustainable strategies, including building orientation to optimize natural daylight, energy efficient fume hoods, and a condensate capture system that basically wrings out building humidity and reuses it for irrigation. The Koury Oral Health Sciences Building is the second campus building to receive Gold certification, following the Genome Sciences Building. LEED certified buildings save money, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and contribute to a healthier environment. View the Koury Oral Health Sciences LEED Scorecard to learn about the high performance building features.
Staff Sustainability Training, Tuesday, February 18, and Thursday, February 20
Sustainability is a core value and top-level priority at Carolina. Success depends on each of us taking an active role. Be the leader in your workplace by learning practical steps to become more economically, environmentally, and socially responsible. This workshop will help participants identify, measure, and promote sustainable change opportunities in their areas. Participants will learn about sustainability goals and initiatives at UNC, become “green events” certified, and learn how to conduct a Workplace Sustainability Assessment. Training is scheduled for two four-hour sessions, Tuesday, February 18, and Thursday, February 20, from 8:30 am - 12:30 pm, at the Administrative Office Building. Register soon, space is limited. Read more »
Bioinformatics Building Currently Ranks #3 in Battle of the Buildings
UNC’s Bioinformatics Building is currently in 3rd place as more than 3,200 competitors in EPA’s ENERGY STAR competition reach the halfway point. The Bioinformatics Building has reduced energy use by 31% in just six months through a variety of strategies, including reprogramming HVAC computer controls, HVAC tuning and optimization, and occupant education and outreach. So far, the top performing buildings of the competition have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 150,000 MtCO2e, which is equivalent to taking more than 31,000 cars off the road. Read more »
2013 Strategic Energy and Water Plan Now Available
2013 marked a year of significant accomplishments in UNC’s energy and water conservation efforts. Energy consumption per square foot has declined 33% since FY 2003 while potable water consumption per square foot has fallen 60% since FY 2000. Other key highlights include:
- Cogeneration systems efficiently produce both steam – used for heating, humidification, domestic hot water, sterilization, and making distilled water in laboratories – and one-third of the campus peak electrical load.
- The new generator at Carolina North converts gas from the Orange County landfill into electricity for the grid. During the first five months of operation, the generator used 42 million cubic feet of landfill gas, and generated over 2.5 million kilowatt hours of power.
- Two new laboratory buildings— the Koury Oral Health Sciences Building and the Genome Sciences Building—are designed for minimum energy intensity and are LEED Gold certified.
- An integrated non-potable water system, including reclaimed water, stormwater, and condensate, supplies over 175 million gallons of non-drinking water for cooling tower make-up water, toilet flushing, and irrigation.
The full 2013 Strategic Energy and Water Plan is available online.
New Virtual Resource Focusing on Water
Inspired by the campus “Water In Our World” theme, a new online exhibit explores the role of water in Carolina’s history. Photos and stories document important water features and events on campus. The exhibit is a collaboration between the University Library and the UNC Center for the Study of the American South. Read more »
North Carolina’s First Energy Policy Advisor Named
North Carolina’s Department of Environment and Natural Resources named Donald van der Vaart as the state’s first energy policy advisor. Previously serving as an engineering supervisor with the department’s Division of Air Quality, van der Vaart has an extensive background in energy, along with environmental and regulatory work in academia, state government, and the private sector. Van der Vaart will focus on increasing domestic energy exploration, development, and production in North Carolina, as well as promoting related economic growth and job creation. Read more »
NC State Leads New Manufacturing Hub in Raleigh
North Carolina State University will lead a new high-tech manufacturing hub on campus, collaborating with businesses and universities to develop next-generation power electronics. The Department of Energy is granting $70 million over five years, and participating businesses, universities, and the state will match that amount. The state of North Carolina has committed a minimum of $10 million throughout five years. The initial consortium will seek to invent, design, and make new semiconductor chips and devices for industrial and everyday electronics. Read more »
The Chapel Hill Farmers' Market Now Accepting Applications
The Chapel Hill Farmer’s Market is entering its sixth year at University Mall and is now accepting applications for the 2014 market season. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2014. Read more »
The Pate Scholarship for 2014 Cambridge Field Site
The Pate Scholarship offers financial support for the 2014 Cambridge field site study abroad program. This scholarship is awarded based on merit and need. Students will need to file a FAFSA to qualify. Apply by February 20, 2014. Read more »
The Marine Technology Society Student Scholarship Program
A professional society of ocean engineers, policy makers, and educators, MTS offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students studying marine sciences. Applications must be postmarked by April 15, 2014, and are available for MTS student members only. Student Membership for full-time college students and high school seniors and is only $25 per year. Click here to apply for membership. Read more »
Water Environment Federation Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship
The Water Environment Federation Canham Graduate Studies Scholarship provides funding to support education-related expenses. Recipients of the scholarship are expected to work in the water environment field for two years following completion of their degree. Apply by March 1, 2014. Read more »
Carolina in the News
Check out the recent media mentions of sustainability-related programs, practices, and people at UNC:
Carolina is #1 academic value among public campuses for 13th time in a row
Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Magazine
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks as the number one value in American public higher education for the 13th consecutive year. UNC’s combination of stellar academics, low cost, and generous financial aid has once again bested its peers. For academic quality, UNC competes with elite private schools. Its 28% admission rate—even more selective than last year’s—means that only the most competitive applicants gain entry. Most students graduate on time, with 77% completing their degrees in four years. UNC is the only school on the list to meet 100% of financial need. Read more »
Researchers project N.C. ‘megalopolis’ by 2050
wral.com
North Carolina is expected to grow by at least a million people a decade for the next few decades, and researchers are beginning to get a sense of where they're all going to end up. Rebecca Tippett, with the Carolina Population Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, says it’s projected that, by 2050, there will be a megalopolis – defined as an area that includes several large cities – along the Charlotte, Triad, and Triangle corridor. Researchers at UNC believe city and county planners need to come together to best decide how they want this potential mega-region to look decades from now. Read more »
UNC researchers convert solar energy into fuel
wunc 91.5 North Carolina Public Radio
The Energy Frontier Research Center at UNC-Chapel Hill has built a system that converts solar energy into fuel, so power can be used even after the sun sets. Instead of storing solar electricity in an expensive battery, researchers use the sun's energy to separate water into hydrogen and oxygen. Chemistry Professor Tom Meyer says the method could be useful and cost-effective for power utilities someday. Read more »
Thanks to UNC News Services for finding these great stories AND compiling the summaries! You can find more UNC media coverage and stories online at http://uncnews.unc.edu.
January is National Soup Month. Warm up with a bowl of stewed fresh winter produce from the Farmers’ Market or simmered lentils, split peas, or beans from the bulk section of your local grocer. Make a big pot and freeze for later or share with friends. Here are three hot recipes to bring to a boil.
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