Archive for the Education Category
Ways to Accelerate Facility Sustainability Investments
Given the trends occurring toward needing to operate in a low carbon, limited resource, and high stakeholder expectation’s world, now is the time to make sure that the company’s facilities have optimized their energy, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water and wastewater. Thanks to the work by Nick Martin and his team, they have provided a five step facilities optimization strategy guide.[1] Companies should approach optimization in a systematic way working inside-out. For instance, with energy and carbon, the following progression is recommended for a facility to pursue decarbonization: Reduce the energy demand. Evaluate lower carbon energy sourcing options both onsite […]
University Institute Launched in Texas to Explore Water Issues
The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has recently launched the Institute for Water Research, Sustainability and Policy. The institute brings together faculty across UTSA to collaborate in the areas of water quality, water quantity, flood control and water policy. The research will focus on the effects of climate change on water resources in the local San Antonio area, the South Texas region, and the I-10 Corridor. Eventually, the research and studies will expand to include national and international water issues and solutions. “An institute based on water research is absolutely needed, based on the part of Texas where […]
Delaware’S WiCCED Water Concerns
There is concern in the state of Delaware about water, although its issues are more related to quality than quantity. Human behaviors have negatively affected the environment, leaving many pollutants, such as arsenic, buried in the state’s marsh basins. Although currently undisturbed, of concern is the potential effect of rising sea levels on those contaminants and drinking water supplies. According to Kent Messer, University of Delaware applied economics professor, “92 percent of [the state’s] water bodies are impaired.”[1] Through the acquisition of federal and state grants, the higher education community has taken on the task of studying the issue to […]
The Conservation Learning Group: A Meeting of Like Minds
Iowa, a state that prides itself on its leadership in conservation, recently launched the Conservation Learning Group, out of Iowa State University. It is a group of like-minded organizations whose purpose is to “facilitate sharing knowledge, resources and best practices between researchers and other experts.”[1] The group will act as a “think tank,” bringing together numerous organizations including The Iowa Learning Farms, Conservation Learning Labs, and Water Rocks! According to Jacquiline Comito, Program Director of Iowa Learning Farms and a member of the CLG’s leadership team, “The open format of CLG will facilitate sharing of experiences, viewpoints, ideas, successes, and […]