The Sustainable Green Campus
In December 2002, United Nations Resolution 57/254 was adopted which established the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). Many universities and colleges are in various stages of organizing for sustainability.
The concept of words “sustainability,” “going green,” or “green building” generally is associated with in discussions about the management of resources and business practices and has been around for many years. It contains the following main components: improving economic efficiency; protecting and restoring ecological systems; and enhancing the well-being of all peoples.
The driving forces behind the implementation of sustainability, often interpreted as the transition to a more sustainable future are many, including economic, the indoor environment, growing limitation on non-renewable energy sources, and pollution and its effect on climate change and ecological health. (1)
Awareness to staff and students in efforts to reduce campus environmental impacts – including those related to electricity and water use, transportation choices, waste and recycling, food, and purchasing, is of utmost importance. The main bulk of the total expenditure in many universities is often attributed to the consumption of energy and water in the residential buildings.
There are numerous ways to save electricity and water while living on campus. Simple things like remembering to turn off lights and televisions and unplugging electronics and power strips when you are not using them will reduce energy usage.
Students can play a major role in championing the green campus concept. They can buy used textbooks instead of new ones at the start of each semester, which will save money in addition to helping the environment. In the dorm room they can recycle plastic grocery bags as garbage bags for small trash cans. Pizza boxes, soda cans and plastic bottles are items commonly found scattered in college dorms; instead of throwing these items in the garbage, try recycling them. Cardboard, plastic, glass, aluminum and paper are all recyclable materials. Students can set up designated containers for recyclables and empty them about once a week.
Students who live on or near campus can walk or ride a bike instead of driving to classes. In addition to saving gas money, they could carpool to save emissions that will protect the environment from pollution.
They could buy recycled goods as much as possible. Paper, cleaning products and water are products that can be purchased as a recycled good. They’re slightly more expensive than the normal products, but it’s worth it to make a green campus.
In addition they could use refillable binders instead of notebooks. This is a simple way to save waste. Whenever the semester is done students can take out the notes, staple and save them in the binder for the next semester. To make the campus greener, they can use laptop to take notes at class. (2)
Kitchen waste from food stalls and cafeteria is another problem encountered in the university. Vermiculture is a way of composting using earthworms to speed up the process. It is easily done inside the home as it takes only a small amount of room and creates no odor. Vermiculture bins could be installed at the cafeteria or places that produce kitchen waste. The organic fertilizer obtained could generate income besides reducing waste in the campus.
The above mentioned are some steps that could be implemented to make the campus look green. It is tough task that need the cooperation of everyone involved as cited in the quotation
- "Achieving sustainable development is perhaps one of the most difficult and one of the most pressing goals we face. It requires on the part of all of us commitment, action, partnerships and, sometimes, sacrifices of our traditional life patterns and personal interests".
~ Mostafa Tolba, Chairman of the Commission on Sustainable Development
Article compiled by Dr. Harbant Singh (30th July, 2012)
References
Retrieved from:
(1) https://www.sustainablecampus.org/universities.html
(2) Ways to Go Green on Campus | eHow.com