Going Green @ Haverford

I have to admit that part of the reason for this blog is that it keeps Sustainability at Haverford on the college’s main page. Go Green!!

With that little confession out of the way, I’d like to introduce you to the pressure cooker. I’m a big beef and root vegetable person. Stews, soups you name it, it’s on my plate. These types of foods are perfect for the pressure cooker. Okay, you ask, so how does all this relate to sustainability?

Let me give you a little example.  Sunday, with the cooler temperatures, I decided it was beef stew season. I whipped out the pressure cooker, chopped the vegetables and threw everything in. 10 minutes to achieve pressure, 16 minutes cooking time. Voila!  Mouth watering stew. Gone are the days of letting it simmer for hours. Less simmering, less energy. Pressure cookers, because you use very little liquid, maintain most of the vitamins and minerals. You also keep good vegetable color.

Also gone is the somewhat volatile nature of the appliance. I’ve never seen it, but I believe there is an I love Lucy episode where it exploded and she had food dripping off the ceiling. Pressure cookers today are state of the art, you really can’t go wrong.

I’ve added a couple links below. The first, gives you all the benefits of using a pressure cooker, including the environmental and economical. The second is an article I found in Organic Gardening Magazine by Lorna Sass. Sass has written several books on pressure cooking, two of which I own, and has really perfected the technique.

With local food markets and home vegetable gardens, the pressure cooker is the perfect compliment to anyone’s kitchen.

missvickie.com/library/whyuseapc.html#Safe%20and%20Dependable

www.organicgardening.com/cook/cooking-under-pressure

Facilities Management Department has developed an Energy Conservation Awareness Initiative to help mitigate the unprecedented escalation in energy prices that has occurred globally in recent months.

 As we face this challenge, we are calling upon our campus community to support this campus initiative by implementing simple changes in energy utilization behaviors that can positively affect operating costs and the environment while relieving some pressure on institutional resources.   We have identified four major awareness components of this program below.

 Wintertime Energy Conservation Guidelines

 Adjust Office and Building Temperatures to 68 Degrees Fahrenheit

Buildings that have centralized temperature controls will be set at a temperature of 68 degrees.   This includes administrative, academic, residence and athletic facilities.

• In buildings and rooms with thermostats that are not centrally controlled, individual occupants should manually set the temperature to 68 degrees
• Building occupants are encouraged to remove all items that block heating registers, radiators and baseboard radiation strips to allow proper heating distribution and air circulation to each space.
• The campus community is encouraged to close all exterior windows and doors in order to minimize heat loss from buildings.   Doors should not be propped open.   Operations staff members are requested to make sure that roll-up overhead doors remain closed in loading and receiving areas while not in use

 Minimize Use of Space Heaters

• It is estimated that there are many space heaters on campus.
• Building occupants are encouraged to minimize the use of electric space heaters

Summertime Energy Conservation Guidelines

 Adjust Office and Building Temperatures to 77 Degrees Fahrenheit

• Buildings that have centralized temperature controls will be set at a temperature of 76 degrees his includes administrative, academic, residential and athletic facilities.
• In buildings and rooms with thermostats that are not centrally controlled, individual occupants should manually set the temperature to 76 degrees.
• Building occupants are encouraged to remove all items that block cooling and return registers to allow proper cooling distribution and air circulation to each space.
• The campus community is encouraged to close all exterior windows and doors in order to minimize the loss of cooled air from building.   Doors should not be proper open.

Adopt a 10-Minute Lighting Guideline

• Building occupants are requested to adopt a “10-Minute Lighting Guideline” and turn off lights if you are leaving a room for more than 10 minutes.
• Additionally, building occupants are also requested to turn off lights in areas with adequate natural lighting and consider using task lighting instead of overhead lights in areas without natural daylight.

Thank you for your support and continued dedication in helping the College to succeed in this critical effort.

Energy Saving Tips

 Students, faculty and staff can help the energy conservation effort by following these tips:

 Copiers & Printers

      Think before you print!  Print and copy as little as possible.

      When you must print, do it double-sided.

      Edit on screen, not on paper.

      Save to disk instead of printing on paper.

      Use e-mail to minimize paper use and don’t routinely print e-mails.

      Send and store documents electronically instead of on paper.

      Designate a box for scrap paper and use it for printing all drafts or unofficial documents.

      Circulate documents instead of making an individual copy for everyone.

      Reuse envelopes by placing a new label over the old address.

Heating and Cooling:

      Dress appropriately to the season and keep thermostats set at 68 degrees.

During the heating season, open blinds, drapes and curtains to let sun in.   If cloudy, close them to keep the heat in especially at night.

During the cooling season close blinds, drapes and curtains to block direct sun.

Use hot water sparingly.

Lights:

      Turn off unused or unneeded lights.

      Use natural lighting instead of electric lighting whenever possible.

      Try task lighting and reduce overhead lighting.

      If you have a desk lamp, make sure it uses a fluorescent bulb.

      Don’t use table lamps unless illumination from the lamps is actually needed.

“10 Minute Rule” Please use the 10 min. rule:  If you do not plan to be in your room, or office for more then ten mins. Turn off your lights

Windows and Doors:

      Keep windows and doors closed in heated and air conditioned areas

      Close vestibule doors when propped open.

      Keep rollup doors closed in shipping/receiving area closed when not in use.

Report Energy Waste

Please report instances of energy waste to the Office of Facilities Management (610-896-1100).

Guidelines for Electric Space Heaters

The first phase of the HC Energy Conservation Program is to garner support from the campus community by creating greater awareness, and identifying simple ways in which the campus can contribute.  Minimizing the use of space heaters was identified as a key component to the energy conservation initiative.   Space heathers are a very costly means of heating, therefore, we should optimize their utilization by using them as a temporary solution, pending the repair or adjustment of a building’s main heating system.

In addition to the cost of operation, space heathers can also represent potential fire hazards.   Therefore, we should also be mindful of the safety guidelines related to space heater use.

Safety Guidelines for Space Heaters:

• No liquid fueled space heaters (e.g., kerosene heaters) are to be used in any College building.
• Heaters must meet the following characteristics:
  • Have UL approval
  • Have heating elements that are protected from contact
  • Be tilt-proof (when tipped over the heater turns off)
  • Have adjustable heating controls
  • Three feet of clearance is required around all space heaters.  NOTHING may be placed on, over, above, or around a space heater.
  • Space heaters are only used while under direct supervision.
  • When not in use, the space heater shall be unplugged from the wall electric outlet.
  • Extension cords are not to be used with space heaters
  • Space heaters may not be tipped over or positioned in any way other than intended.
  • The user should inspect the space heater daily for cord cracks, hot spots, or signs of wear.  Any deficiencies shall be reported to the Office of Facilities Management, ext. 1096.
• For additional information on safe space heater usage, please contact the Office of Safety and Security at extension 1111

What if I already have a space heater?

Electric space heaters should be used in areas where a space temperature of 68 degrees is unattainable:

• Privately owned space heaters should be taken home by the owners.
• All College-owned space heaters that are currently in buildings on campus should be unplugged and placed in storage in each department/work area.   If no space exists in the department or work area, please alert Facilities, who will store the device.
• If you believe your space heater does not meet the aforementioned Safety Guidelines for Space Heaters, it should be removed from use completely.

Are You Cold?

In efforts to conserve energy the College is asking that temperatures be maintained at 68 degrees.   Please confirm the following before seeking additional assistance:

• Area rugs or carpet are not pushed under baseboard heating strips
• Furniture is at least six inches away from any baseboard heat unit.
• Windows and doors are closed.
• If located within your area, please confirm that the thermostat is set at 68 degrees.

If you are still cold and you believe your office is colder than 68 degrees, please contact your department unit head or director (or his/her representative).  In a residence hall, residents should contact the ORCD Senior Staff member on duty.   If required, they will place a call for a heating Work Order to the Office of Facilities Management at ext. 1351.   The Office of Facilities Management will respond and follow their procedures for performing a temperature evaluation.   If possible, Facilities Management will attempt to adjust the temperature using the building’s heating system.

If it is determined that the temperature cannot be maintained using the building heating system, the College may, on a case by case basis, approve temporary use of space heaters.

The use of space heaters in academic, administrative, and athletic building will also require prior approval of the department’s unit head or director.   The use of space heaters in residential building will also require prior approval by the Senior Staff member on duty.   The department unit head or director (or his/her representative) and residence hall Senior Staff members on duty are responsible for compliance with the space heater guidelines in their respective areas of responsibility.

When no longer required all space heaters in academic, administrative, and athletic buildings shall be returned to the unit head or director (or his/her representative).   When no longer required, all space heaters in residential buildings shall be returned to Senior Staff member on duty.

Are you Too Warm?

Sometimes adjustments are needed to a building’s heating system.  If you believe your office is too warm, please contact the Office of Facilities Management at extension 1096.  In a residence hall, residents should contact the ORCD Senior Staff member on duty.   If required, they will place a call for a heating work Order to the Office of Facilities Management at extension 1096.

In efforts to conserve energy, please remember:

• Heating and cooling systems should not be used simultaneously.

Opening windows and doors is a waste of energy.   The heating system will continue to operate and try to maintain the thermo

The 2011 Sustainability Report Card came out last week! We received a B+, same as last year. Sadly, we did drop a grade in the ‘Climate Change & Energy’ and ‘Green Building’ categories.

View the Report Card

About the Report Card:
“The College Sustainability Report Card is the only independent evaluation of campus and endowment sustainability activities at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. In contrast to the academic focus on sustainability in research and teaching, the Report Card examines colleges and universities, as institutions, through the lens of sustainability.”

The U.S. Green Building Council and the Princeton Review recently released a Guide to 285 Green Colleges. Haverford is described as having “so many accomplishments on its green scorecard that it’s hard to know where to begin”. Learn more>

CPGC Cafe

On Wednesday April 14^th the Center for Peace and Global Citizenship, in partnership with the Committee for Environmental Responsibility, cordially invited the entire College community to attend a luncheon to celebrate the kick-off of the “Going Greener” campaign!

CPGC is walking the walk when it comes to going greener. The café is using corn based flatware that can be composted. New containers have been clearly labeled for composting, recycling and trash. Food scraps are collected and delivered to the dining center for composting.

Below is the menu for the “Local Food” luncheon prepared by the dining center.
o    Potato Leek Soup (Local Potatoes and Leeks)
o    Turkey Sandwiches (Local Turkey)
o    Grilled Portabella and Romaine Sandwiches (Grilled Portabella Sandwiches-Portabella Mushrooms and Romaine);
o    Egg Salad Sandwiches (Local Eggs)
o    Spinach Salad with Apples (Local Spinach and Local Fuji Apples)
o    Artichoke Salad (Jerusalem artichokes, carrots turnips, parsnips )

And they’re not done yet. Director, Parker Snowe and his staff are looking into carbon offsets for their students who travel abroad this summer. Stay tuned…

Check out the full story
www.haverford.edu/news/stories/37431/10

Tucked away on Featherbed Lane, a little stone house built circa 1935 by  Mathematics Professor Cletus Oakley, houses one of Haverford’s many hidden garden treasures. Five years ago Richard Ball took over the reins when Professor Lyle Roelof moved on to Colgate University and he has waged war on invasive plant species ever since.  Gout weed, Lesser celandine and Norway maple don’t stand a chance when faced with Richard’s boundless energy. He won’t admit how many hours he spends in the garden but looking at what he’s accomplished over the last several years, it’s quite a lot.

While Richard loves most plants he considers himself a tree man.  Scattered around his wooded garden are, at last count, 25 small trees that he has planted. Whether he bought them from the Forest Farm nursery catalog, a local native plant sale, or plucked them out of cracks in the sidewalk in Avalon, each plant is lovingly labeled the year it was planted and fenced off. Not just for protecting it from deer, but his own feet as he moves through the garden.

Chemical free, Richard has some unique ways of dealing with invasive species. Lesser celandine over the last decade has taken over our local woodlands, choking out the native flora. Richard has hand dug the bulbs, wheelbarrowed them over to a remote part of the property, and has covered the bulbs with a tarp. He’s hoping, one day, to be able to use the soil again. Another technique is picking up discarded boxes from the Dining Center and laying them over the plants he wants to eradicate and covering them with compost or wood chips. Previously, he had been using old carpet to smother the plants, but felt the cardboard boxes were a more sustainable approach as they can be tilled in once they break down.

Moving through the Dahlias, Crocosmia and Daylilies you come upon a grove with stone picnic benches built by Oakley, the home’s original owner. Shaded by evergreens, the tables and benches are covered with rocks.  When asked about them Richard replied, “They just grow by themselves.” What to do with them? “My plan is to make a plan,” he replied.

His love for the garden is unmistakable. As horticulturists, the Arboretum crews have often walked through his garden and appreciated his work. Richard commented that this is the first year he feels that he’s seeing results that even the lay person can appreciate.  So next time you bump into Richard on campus, ask him about his garden, he’ll be happy to fill you in.

We’ve updated the Going Green @ Haverford site to include a new Initiatives section, an updated Resources page, and new photo galleries relating to a number of on-going projects. Check out all of the new photos!

Also, visitors might be interested the following slideshow. This sustainability presentation was presented to staff last winter by Claudia Kent, John Francone and Ron Tola.

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The College Sustainability Report Card provides in-depth sustainability profiles for colleges through out the United States and Canada.

The report card is an excellent tool for determining where your school stands on sustainability/environmental issues and how you compare with both your peer schools and schools nationwide. It is also an excellent tool for schools to learn from one another’s experiences.

Haverford College improved over last year going from a C to a B. While we did improve, there are so many more challenges ahead of us. Check out the full report card and compare how we did with our sister schools.

Any questions about Haverford College’s Sustainability program, please contact Claudia Kent.

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.

President Emerson signed this commitment in the summer of 2007.

The presidents signing the Commitment are pledging to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emissions over time. This involves:

• Completing an emissions inventory
• Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
• Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions.
• Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience.
• Making the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available.

Learn more about this initiative including the full text of the commitent.

Claudia Kent, sustainability coordinator, will periodically post the CER’s “Campus Sustainability Status Report” in response to the president’s commitment. The report for the period of May15 – June 30, 2008 is available as a PDF.