Ohio University is the first four-year public university in Ohio to sign a national environmental commitment to decrease its negative effects on the environment.
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, signed in March by OU President Roderick McDavis, asks participating institutions to minimize global warming emissions and to educate students about climate neutrality and ecological sustainability.
In accordance with the commitment, OU will develop an office and task force to plan and implement strategies to achieve climate neutrality, or adjusting campus activities to have zero effect on the environment, said Sonia Marcus, resource conservation coordinator for the Office of Resource Conservation.
We have to figure out how to offset the Greenhouse gases that we are producing
Marcus said.
Within the first year, OU will also compile an inventory of greenhouse gases, such as fossil fuels, which are emitted on campus, she said.
This is a coal-fire campus Marcus said. That is the major challenge.
The university saves money by improving its energy efficiency, Marcus said, even if it is as simple as installing florescent light bulbs in every building. The agreement will also have the ability to attract more sources of external funding, such as from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources or private foundations, for environmental projects, she said.
Although there are existing resources within the university to fund environmental initiatives, faculty and staff will be pursuing additional external funding sources, Marcus said.
Steps outlined in the agreement include completion of an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions within one year of signing, development of strategy to achieve climate neutrality and initiation of at least two of six specified actions to reduce greenhouse gases on campus.
In the upcoming construction of the $30 million Integrated Learning and Research Facility, OU will hire a consultant to outline the measures needed to accord with the U.S. Green Building Council's rating system for the design, construction and operation of green buildings, said John Kotowski, associate vice president for Facilities.
The rating system, which is incorporated in the commitment, provides a framework to build and maintain energy efficiency and environmental health, according to U.S. Green Building Council Web site, www.usgbc.org.
17
Archives
Meghan McNamara
200704184231midsize.jpg
Sonia Marcus, OU resource conservation coordinator, shows the EcoHouse's solar thermal water heating system to a tour group that includes Ohio Rep. Jimmy Stewart (R) on Monday. The EcoHouse, located at 8133 Dairy Lane, is a learning center for ecologic
