SUSTAINING OUR OWN CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

   Green is the new black. We are seeing a flood of the environmental movement across the nation, especially among college campuses. Our own Iona campus is among many other colleges across the Hudson Valley, leading the way into a “greener”, more sustainable college lifestyle. Iona College is definitely ‘C-ing’ green with the help of our very own IC Green Club, Environmental Concerns Committee (ECC) and campus facilities. Over the past few years, these members of the Iona community have made it their mission to raise awareness and create a more eco-friendly campus.

   One of Iona's first steps to becoming more environmentally conscious began with spreading recycling bins throughout campus. The ECC and IC Green worked alongside facilities to promote the widespread recycling of bottles, cans, glass, waste oils, computer parts, light bulbs, batteries, cardboard and white paper.

   Dr. Fredrica Rudell, Department Chair of Marketing, and ECC, served as the pioneer on campus, giving the college the extra push it needed to get the college community involved. From 2001 to 2002, the campus-wide Paper Conservation Campaign was launched, focusing on the reduction of paper use through unnecessary and accidental printing and copying. In 2008, the committee worked with the Information Technology Department, in order, to start double-sided printing.

   Ryan Library has also been constructed to be more "green." The construction, which was completed last semester, followed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, a guide for sustainability. It was built to create the smallest impact on the environment. Older boilers were removed, recycled, and replaced with high efficiency units that can run on either oil or natural gas. Natural light was also utilized with the large skylight. But, our community’s leaders are not stopping there.

   “We are consistently looking for new ways to save on energy or to be more environmentally friendly,” says Facilities Director, Mark Murphy. They are currently working with Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to change the light fixtures in the parking garage, which could save up to 40% on electricity use. Facilities will also do an audit on all buildings to see where the Con Edison and NYSERDA incentive program to lower energy use can be implemented.

   Iona College has also been honored by The Princeton Review along with 285 other colleges, for their environmental efforts. The Princeton Review's 2010 Guide to Green has included Iona as one of the nation's top ranked green colleges. "It is quite an honor for Iona College to not only be recognized by The Princeton Review for our commitment to creating a green campus but to be ranked alongside the nation's preeminent universities for this achievement. We are particularly pleased because, as a Catholic, Christian Brothers' college, we are called upon through Catholic social teaching to be good stewards of our earth," said Dr. Warren Rosenberg, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs of Iona College.

   The IC Green Club is also drawing in the Iona community through the events held on campus. They organize events in hopes of helping their fellow students realize the impact of their actions on the environment. To semester, they hosted their 3rd Annual Lights Out event. "It’s a great opportunity to get the Iona community more aware and still have fun with the lights out," says IC Green Club president, Vincent Sorrentino. “It has to be shown how easy energy conservation can be.”

   In honor of the 40th anniversary of Earth Day on April 22nd, 2010, Iona chose to utilize a whole week from April 18 to 24, in order to raise awareness to the Iona community. The Green Generation Campaign will be the focus of Earth Day 2010, focusing on the core principles of a carbon-free future based on renewable energy, an individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption, and the creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.

   Iona is doing its part to get the word out. To start off Earth Day week, Iona started off with Hands Around Iona, which was a fundraiser run by the Tara Knights Society to raise money for a Sierra Leone water-supply projects overseen by the Christian Brothers. An Earth Day Celebration followed with a presentation and trivia contest to promote sustainability and Earth-friendly living. Earth Day was celebrated with a “Respect/Reduce/Re-Use/Recycle” topic. Munyaradzi Chenje from United Nations Environment Programme UNEP, was Iona’s special guest speaker for the evening. Mr. Chenje addressed the impact of the environmental crisis on human security in southern Africa and around the globe. “It was a good end to a green day,” says Sorrentino.

   But, recycling still remains to be a major problem at Iona. Many students have failed to utilize the bins the proper way, according to Sorrentino. “You go into LaPenta and you still see garbage in the recycling bins.” They hope to make recycling on campus more efficient and user-friendly, and encourage a reduction in energy consumption.

   The Green Movement has certainly spread nationwide, especially throughout college campuses. Students are actually looking at sustainability when they are looking at college options. “Our primary goal is to enlighten the college community on the easy things that can be done to reduce our wasteful actions and benefit our plant. By helping us become more sustainable, it makes Iona more desirable overall,” Sorrentino.

What Can YOU Do?

This is a GLOBAL ISSUE. We can all do our part to help.

 

There are 10 Simple Things YOU Can Do to help.

1. Change a Light: Replacing 1 regular light bulb w/ a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 lbs. of carbon dioxide a year.
2. Drive Less: Walk, bike, carpool or take mass transit more often. Save 1 lb. of CO2 for every mile you DON’T drive.
3. Recycle More: Save 2,400 lbs. of CO2 per year by recycling just half of your household waste.
4. Check Your Tires: Keeping your tires inflated properly can improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved keeps 20 lbs. of CO2 out of the atmosphere.
5. Use Less Hot Water: It takes a lot of energy to heat water. Use less hot water by installing a low flow showerhead (350 lbs. of CO2 saved per year) and washing your clothes in cold or warm water (500 lbs. saved per year).
6. Avoid Products w/ a lot of Packaging: 1,200 lbs of CO2 if you cut down your garbage by 10%.
7. Plant a Tree: A single tree will absorb 1 ton of CO2 over its lifetime.
8. Adjust Your Thermostat: Moving your thermostat down just 2 degrees in winter & up 2 degrees in summer, you could save about 2,000 lbs of CO2 a year w/ this simple adjustment.
9. Turn off Electronic Devices: Simply turning off your television, DVD player, stereo, and computer when you’re not using them will save you thousands of pounds of CO2 a year.
10. Be Informed!

 

Iona's 'Earth Day' Week Celebration

This week (Thursday to be exact), as we all know, we will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. Iona is doing its part to get the word out. This have compiled a schedule this week that will allow for different aspects to be explored and allow the Iona community to be involved. Check out the schedule for this week and try to make it out for what will, undoubtedly, be a fun, informative week.


Tuesday, April 20th

Hands Around Iona
Time: Noon – 1:00 pm
Location: Mazzella Field, Rain Location: Hynes Gymnasium
Sponsored By: Tara Knights Society
The Tara Knights raise funds for a Sierra Leone water-supply project overseen by the Christian Brothers.


Earth Day Celebration
Time: 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Location: Robert V. LaPenta Student Union End Zone
Sponsored By: Iona Chemical Society and Chemistry Department
Food, presentation, and trivia contest promote Sustainability and Earth-Friendly Living


Thursday, April 22nd


Earth Day Celebration – “Respect/Reduce/Re-Use/Recycle”
Time: Noon- 1:00 pm
Location: Robert V. LaPenta Student Union
Sponsored By: IC Green, Delta Theta Beta Sorority, and SGA.
Earth Day Celebration


Earth Day Speaker
Time: 7:00 pm
Location: Robert V. LaPenta Student Union End Zone
Sponsored By: The Department of Political Science and International Studies, the Model United Nations and Student Development.
Mr. Chenje addresses the impact of the environmental crisis on human security in southern Africa and around the globe.


Saturday, April 24th

The Berry Forum: Opening to The Great Work of Our Time
Time: 1:00 pm- 5:30 pm
Location: End Zone, Robert V. LaPenta Student Union
Sponsored By: The Iona Spirituality Institute and the Department of Religious Studies
This Earth Day Convocation engages a new moment in Earth History inspired by environmental theologian Fr. Thomas Berry. Facilitators include: Sr. Kathleen Deignan, CND, Br. Kevin Cawley, PhD, and Dr. Brian Brown.


Dance the Night Away (Dance-A-Thon)
Time: 9:00 pm- 1:00 am
Location: Thomas Burke Lounge,
Spellman Hall
Sponsored By: Tara Knight Society
Who will be the last one standing?
Tara Knights’ benefit to build a Sierra Leone water system. Raffle for a MacBook and other prizes

Earth Day (HQ)

Share . ReUse . Be Green . Save the World!

President Obama Marks 40th Anniversary of Earth Day 2010

Earth Day- April 22, 2010

SUSTAINING OUR OWN CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT

Our Own Sustainable Environment

   Our own Iona campus is among many other colleges across the Hudson Valley, leading the way into a “greener”, more sustainable college lifestyle. Iona College is definitely ‘C-ing’ green with the help of our very own IC Green Club, Environmental Concerns Committee (ECC) and campus facilities. Over the past few years, these members of the Iona community have made it their mission to raise awareness and create a more eco-friendly campus.


   One of Iona's first steps to becoming more environmentally conscious began with spreading recycling bins throughout campus. The ECC and IC Green worked alongside facilities to promote the widespread recycling of bottles, cans, glass, waste oils, computer parts, light bulbs, batteries, cardboard and white paper.

   Dr. Fredrica Rudell, Department Chair of Marketing, and ECC, served as the pioneer on campus, giving the college the extra push it needed to get the college community involved. From 2001 to 2002, the campus-wide Paper Conservation Campaign was launched, focusing on the reduction of paper use through unnecessary and accidental printing and copying. In 2008, the committee worked with the Information Technology Department, in order, to start double-sided printing.

   Ryan Library has also been constructed to be more "green." The construction, which was completed last semester, followed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, a guide for sustainability. It was built to create the smallest impact on the environment. Older boilers were removed, recycled, and replaced with high efficiency units that can run on either oil or natural gas. Natural light was also utilized with the large skylight. But, our community’s leaders are not stopping there.

   “We are consistently looking for new ways to save on energy or to be more environmentally friendly,” says Facilities Director, Mark Murphy. They are currently working with Con Edison and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority to change the light fixtures in the parking garage, which could save up to 40% on electricity use. Facilities will also do an audit on all buildings to see where the Con Edison and NYSERDA incentive program to lower energy use can be implemented.

   The IC Green Club is also drawing in the Iona community through the events held on campus. They organize events in hopes of helping their fellow students realize the impact of their actions on the environment. To end Earth Week, this past Saturday, they hosted their 3rd Annual Lights Out event. "It’s a great opportunity to get the Iona community more aware and still have fun with the lights out," says IC Green Club president, Vincent Sorrentino. “It has to be shown how easy energy conservation can be.”

   But, recycling still remains to be a major problem at Iona. Many students have failed to utilize the bins the proper way, according to Sorrentino. “You go into LaPenta and you still see garbage in the recycling bins.” They hope to make recycling on campus more efficient and user-friendly, and encourage a reduction in energy consumption.

   The Green Movement has certainly spread nationwide, especially throughout college campuses. Students are actually looking at sustainability when they are looking at college options. “Our primary goal is to enlighten the college community on the easy things that can be done to reduce our wasteful actions and benefit our plant. By helping us become more sustainable, it makes Iona more desirable overall,” Sorrentino.

MY INTERVIEW WITH FACILITIES DIRECTOR MARK MURPHY ON GREENING CAMPUS ACTIVITIES

1. When did the Iona campus exactly start becoming more environmentally conscious? And why? How did it come about?

A: Iona’s first steps to becoming more environmentally conscious started with the recycling of bottles, cans, glass, waste oils, computer parts, light bulbs, batteries, cardboard and white paper. We also installed park benches on campus that were made from recycled plastic. These first steps started about 12 years ago. At that time the Facilities Department was being approached by the Iona community with questions of what we could do in terms of recycling.

2. Did you work together with the Environmental Concerns Committee, in order to start getting Iona to be "greener"?

A: Fredrica Rudell was the pioneer on campus. She seemed to get things started and helped with the push to get more of the college community involved. At the beginning we were taking her advice on what to do and how to get started but now Facilities is constantly looking for more ways to be “Green”.

3. What specific things have been done on campus to make it "greener"?

A: All of the items in answer #1 plus; we use electric golf carts to get around campus, we are installing low water use toilets (they use half the amount of a regular toilet), products made of recycled materials (toilet tissue, paper towels and benches), changing light fixtures on campus to more energy efficient ones, installing motion sensors in classrooms, bathrooms and office spaces to automatically turn the lights off when no one is in the room. We have an underground stream running below Spellman that we have tapped into. Since the water is at a consist 50 degrees we are running this water through a coil to make our own air conditioner for part of Spellman Hall. We have been installing new windows in many of the building in order to save on energy. Four years ago we hired James Call, an engineer, who has helped Iona by implementing low cost/no cost solutions that has saved the college hundreds of thousands of dollars. Along with this we have cut our Co2 a missions, reduce our electricity, natural gas and fuel oil dependency.

4. How are the new renovated libraries more "green"?

A: The lighting fixtures and HVAC equipment are more energy efficient. We installed new windows and more insulation. A sky light was installed to bring more natural light into the space. We installed some low water use toilets too.

5. Are there any other specific things that you are doing on campus currently or working towards in the future to provide for a more environmentally friendly campus?

A: We are consistently looking for new ways to save on energy or to be more environmentally friendly. We are working with Con Ed and NYSERDA now to change the light fixtures in the parking garage which should save about 30-40% on electricity use. We are also doing an audit on all building to see where we can implement the Con Ed and NYSERDA incentive program to lower of energy use.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TODAY?

   Could all of humanity be sitting on a ticking time bomb? Could human existence be walking into the arms of its very own extinction? There may be a global crisis threatening all of survival, and it is not the economy.

   With most of the focus on the ongoing economic problems, the issues regarding the planet and the environment are taking the back burner. Climate change is proving to be the greatest threat that this world currently faces, according to author, educator, and environmentalist, Bill McKibben. It has become increasingly more apparent in this current world, from hurricanes to droughts to heat waves. It affects every aspect of human activities. Therefore, if not dealt with, this man-made climate change could endanger lives, livelihoods, and lifestyles.

   The Earth’s climate has changed numerous times in this planet’s history. But, since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, human’s lives’ have changed significantly. Therefore, according to THE 11TH HOUR, a documentary warning about the dangers of global warming, the relationship between humans and the impact they have left on the planet have changed considerably. Even with the shocking scientific information supporting global warming, many people have denied this theory.

   A few scientists, such as, Steven Sherwood, a geologist from Yale University, feel that there has been no rapid increase in global warming and attribute it to a natural phenomenon. They feel that, in fact, this warming is beneficial to human and wildlife, therefore, it is welcome. Scientific research supporting global warming has shown that the polar ice caps are melting. Clear water is considerably present at the North Pole. Carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere have risen and are at an all-time high today, than at any other time in the previous 20 million years.

   According to famed physicist and mathematician, Professor Stephen W. Hawking, “One of the most serious consequences of our actions is global warming brought about by rising levels of carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels. The danger is that temperatures may become self-sustaining, if it has not done so already.” According to Scientists, we are nearing a tipping point and if we reach this tipping point, we could essentially lose control of our climate. Once that occurs, “things like Katrina-scale events will simply become ‘the norm.’”

   The United States, in fact, makes up less than 5 percent of the world’s human population. Yet, it consumes 25 percent of the world’s resources and is responsible for 25 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The major problem is that over the years, gases have increased with pollution, technology and other human activities. For the last 650 thousand years, greenhouse gas emissions did not go above 280 parts per million. Now, that number has risen and is nearing 400 parts per million at 387. This is a large number that scientists say could have “drastic consequences” and must be brought down to less than 350.

   Carbon dioxide has increased by 35 percent, while methane has increased by 150 percent. New gases, which have never existed before, have entered the atmosphere. People do not realize that greenhouse gases enter the atmosphere through simple activities like turning on the light, mowing the lawn, microwaving a meal, and even, listening to music. Hawking has stated that, if gases continue to rise at this current rate then “the worse-case scenario is that the Earth would become like its sister planet, Venus with a temperature of 250° centigrade and raining sulfuric acid. The human race could not survive in those conditions.”

   Global warming is a subject that is covered extensibly by the media. However, people may not have made the connection. According to the UN, climate change contributes to over 16 million avoidable deaths a year, worldwide. Also, extreme weather disasters are at a high with 16 recorded in the 1960s and 70 during the 1990s, but the early part of the 21st century is showing an even greater number of disasters. In 2006 alone, there were a total of 426 disasters that occurred in 108 countries, which affected over 143 million people and caused $34.6 billion in economic losses. Scientists believe that with weather disasters occurring throughout, leaving people homeless, and health-stricken, that humans will ultimately become environmental refugees.

   So, why should you as an individual really care about this? Well, there is a common misconception globally that people can dominate the environment. Many human beings feel that they are above nature and, therefore, an entire rainforest can be torn down to make way for a new highway, without, even just a single thought. Industrialization has become a part of society, making way for new and better things. Therefore, the welfare of the environment has been cast aside. In reality, people must acknowledge the impact that they have upon nature and that they are a part of nature.

   Over the years, many have attempted to raise awareness of this global issue from activist and former Vice President, Al Gore to actor, Leonardo DiCaprio. The Green Movement has become increasingly popular over the last years. They have aimed to reduce emissions, orient health and sustainability. They have also aimed at creating a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty and helps create millions of green jobs. The problem is that not everyone has gotten involved nor have they realized the significance of this issue.

   People must realize the impact of their everyday activities. Like, every time you power up your computer, you’re drawing electricity from the nearest power plant which is probably powered by coal, oil, or natural gas which produces more carbon dioxide. The average desktop computer needs between 150 and 350 watts of electricity while it is being actively used. If you were to leave that computer on for 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year, it would use over $200 worth of electricity alone and lead to the release of over 1.5 tons of CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere. Turning off your computer, even an inactive computer, for just 10 hrs a day can lead to a substantial amount of carbon dioxide savings.

   Did you know that many of your household electronics and appliances use electricity even when they are turned off? This is known as standby or “phantom” power. For instance, the TV uses standby power so that it can be ready to instantly turn on when you click the remote control. Your computer’s printer powers down, but isn’t really turned off unless you turn off its power switch or unplug it. Anything you own that has a transformer plugged into a socket is probably drawing electricity all the time, even when the gadget it’s connected to is not in use.

   In the United States, an estimated 5% of residential electricity is used as “phantom” power. According to the Department of Energy, that wasted 5% amounts to an annual energy loss of 64 million megawatt-hours of electricity, an amount of energy equivalent to the output of 18 typical power stations and at a cost of over $3 billion. If we could stop the use of all that “phantom” power, we could keep 100 billion pounds of CO2 out of Earth’s atmosphere each year. The only way to stop them from using any electricity at all is to cut the cord. Not literally, of course, unplugging will do the trick.

   But, there are ten simple things that every individual person can do. (1) Changing just one regular light bulb with a compact fluorescent light bulb will save 150 lbs. of carbon dioxide a year. (2) Driving less can also have a significant impact. For every mile that a person doesn’t drive, a pound of CO2 will be saved. Walking, biking, carpooling or just, taking mass transit once in while can make a big difference.

   (3) Recycling more is one key step to a better world. You can save 2,400 lbs. of CO2 per year by just recycling half of your household waste. (4) Checking the tires on the car can properly improve gas mileage by more than 3%. Every gallon of gasoline saved can amount to a savings of 20 lbs. of CO2. (5) Using hot water can take up a lot of energy. So, installing a low flow showerhead can save up to 350 lbs. of CO2 per year. Also, washing your clothes and dishes in cold or warm water can save 500 lbs. CO2 per year. (6) Avoiding products with a lot of packaging can save 1,200 lbs. of CO2 and cut down garbage by 10%.

   (7) Planting trees can significantly help cut down carbon dioxide. Planting a single tree can help to absorb 1 ton of CO2 over its entire lifetime. (8) Adjusting your thermostat by lowering it 2 degrees in winter and up 2 degrees during the summer can simply save up to 2,000 lbs of CO2 a year. (9) Turning off electronic devices like the television, DVD player, stereo and computer when they’re not be used can save thousands of pounds of CO2 a year. (10) The most important thing you should know is to: Be Informed! Informing yourself on the issues and your carbon footprint can allow you to know how to help and what to stop doing, in order, to help our planet.

   There is a simple solution in sight: the individual and the community. In order to make a difference on our planet and reverse our carbon footprint, then everyone must do their part. Our world must transition into a community, working together for a better world.. There must be a mutual consensus among humanity that now is the time to stand up and do something about these issues. There are many organizations that support this change as well as informative websites. Earth Hour and Go Green Initiative are just two of the numerous groups that have joined the fight to stop the climate change.

   This is a global issue that could potentially lead to the extinction of humanity. We must all do our part, in order, to stop or slow down this process. A sustainable world begins with us. You control climate change. Turn down. Switch off. Recycle. Walk. Change. Do your part. You can start changing your lives, our lives and our world. The day is today. What will you do?

Earth Day - April 22nd, 2010

The Green Generation Campaign will be the focus of the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day 2010. With negotiations for a new global climate agreement, Earth Day must be a day of action and civic participation.

Core principles of The Green Generation include:

• A carbon-free future based on renewable energy that will end our common dependency on fossil fuels, including coal.
• An individual’s commitment to responsible, sustainable consumption.
• Creation of a new green economy that lifts people out of poverty by creating millions of quality green jobs and transforms the global education system into a green one.

Our Sustainable Campus

I've dedicated this blog to Iona's Green Campus. With the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day steadily approaching on April 22nd, I found it essential to focus on the efforts and steps that Iona is taking towards a sustainable campus environment on such a special year. Therefore, Green Iona was formed. Iona has taken many different steps to make our campus as eco-friendly as possible and is still continuing its mission along with other campuses across the nation, and the efforts of our current Adminstration. Iona's Environmental Concerns Committe, IC Green Club and Facilities on campus have done a wonderful job, thus far, getting our campus to be greener and more sustainable. Their efforts at recycling, paper conservation and energy conservation have not gone unnoticed. But, their continuing efforts are allowing Iona to become a leading sustainable college environment.