Past Issues: May 2008 |April 2008 | Feb 2008 |November 2008 | March 2009 Volume 6, June 2009

USD Earth Day Expands to Week

Farmer’s market and organic products at the UC

Rosalind Haselbeck, Ph.D., adjunct USD Biology faculty, discussed strategies for harvesting rainwater

SD’s Jayna McLeod, who coordinated the transformation of USD banners into unique bags and purses (available at the bookstore), was inspired to start her own line of carriers made from vintage denim and fabric. Her tote bags, purses, laptop bags, mini-duffels and accessory bags combine her passion for estate and garage sales, vintage buttons, fabrics and jeans, one-of-a-kind designs, recycling, and sewing. www.jaynascreative.etsy.com.

With support from students, faculty and staff, celebration of Earth Day at USD expanded in 2009 to include a week of diverse events and activities. In addition to being a sponsor of the 20^th Annual EarthFair in Balboa Park, USD supported something for everyone between April 17 and April 23. Highlights included a Yoga-thon as part of Fridays in the Valley, Sustainable Food and Water Day, a Farmer’s Market, and the Living in Harmony Fair and Peace Rally.

“I think the event with the most important message was Sustainable Food and Water Day,” observed USD student and activist Austin Parker, who helped plan and organize many of the events. “We showed the film Flow, an award-winning documentary on the world water crisis, water privatization, and the waste problems of water bottles. These are important issues in San Diego, especially because in June the city is going to Level 2 drought conditions. The Farmer’s Market was probably the most popular, along with the Living in Harmony Expo. The farmers who came sold all of their produce, which is a good sign for a reoccurring market next year. We also had about 30-40 students ride their bikes with TREE on Alternate Transportation day. Overall it was a good week.”

For more about 2009 USD EarthWeek, visit http://www.sandiego.edu/gogreen.

What Makes the New Student Life Pavilion Green?

The Student Life Pavilion (SLP) is USD’s first LEED certified “green” building. But what does that mean? First of all, LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a building rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that is the recognized standard for measuring building sustainability in the United States . Here are some of SLP’s features that earn it points on the LEED system:

• Site Selection: The site does not impact wetlands, threaten endangered species, or reduce parkland.
• Alternative/Public Transportation: SLP is located near campus and city public transportation, will have at least 32 bike racks on site, and does not add parking spaces.
• Open Spaces: SLP reduces its “development footprint” through landscaping, its green roof, and pedestrian “hardscape” areas.
• Heat Island Reduction: SLP utilizes concrete colors that help reflect solar heat.
• Water Use Reduction: Water fixtures in SLP will reduce consumption by 20-30%.
• Renewable Energy and Efficiency: SLP will use energy-efficient electric appliances, lighting, and heating and cooling systems, and offset energy use through a new photovoltaic system at the west parking structure.
• Recycling: Waste from construction will be minimized, up to 20% of construction materials will be recycled materials, and paper, cardboard, glass, plastics and metals will be collected for recycling once SLP is opened.
• Air Quality: SLP will monitor and ensure air quality, proper ventilation and outdoor air flow.
• Green Cleaning: use of environmentally-friendly cleaning products and practices throughout the building.
• Sustainability Education: SLP will develop a program to communicate its "green" aspects to users and visitors.

For more information on LEED and USGBC, visit www.usgbc.org

Student Survey Probes Attitudes on Sustainability

USD students in Prof. Joseph Nalven's "Applied/Public Anthropology" class recently looked at the issue of global warming at international, local, and campus-wide levels. Here’s a brief summary of the study by Anthropology major Julia Elsey (Class of ‘10):

We examined the question of what works to motivate people into action, and researched both sides of the climate change debate. This information was then applied to analyze USD’s Go Green movement, focusing on students’ knowledge of the concept of sustainability, recycling, and the campaign in general. Surveys were conducted of a diverse group of students to understand their perceptions of the sustainability movement. Students’ widespread ignorance about sustainability was what I found to be extremely surprising; they had trouble defining or giving examples of it, despite the fact that the media constantly bombards us with information on this subject. Given that students are extremely tech-savvy, they ought to be well informed, yet a surprising number of the student body seemed somewhat oblivious. People mainly knew about the Go Green campaign due to the recycling buckets and trash cans with the logo on them. Having a sustainable campus was a goal of interest for most students, but they were simultaneously unwilling to get rid of USD’s irrigation-intensive lawns. However, many commuter students would greatly be in favor of a tram running from the beach residential areas to campus; it is apparent, however, that this is not only a sustainable action, but one that saves money. This would be the bottom line of making changes for sustainability on campus: it has to be fiscally worthwhile for the person, and it can’t be too drastic or intrusive of a change.

2020 and Beyond Campus Plan: USD Mesa May Get Greener

Last November and again this May, staff from Sasaki Associates shared information and gathered input on the 2020 and Beyond campus planning process through open forums. The campus plan covers a wide variety of ideas and options on how to address current USD needs as well as those envisioned in the future. Among them is the possibility of extending the current central pedestrian area between the Immaculata and Loma Hall to the full length of USD’s academic core – from the UC to the Copley Library. The expanded pedestrian mall is envisioned to include open spaces, garden areas, and a plaza that could be used for gatherings and events. This and other aspects of the plan feature a variety of sustainability strategies including those related to storm water, grey water irrigation, and heat island reduction. Other elements of the plan are expected to address improved access for alternative transportation such as bike lanes, pedestrian walkways, and a more advanced and efficient shuttle system. All students, faculty, staff, and related constituents and communities are welcome and encouraged to participate in the process of campus planning.

Eco-LEEP Activities

USD’s Outdoor Programs is wrapping up its first year of Eco-LEEP (Living Engaged Educational Program), an environmentally oriented outreach initiative that helps make green issues and ideas come to life for USD students. Eco-LEEP’s diverse activities included:

• Attending lectures at San Diego Natural History Museum
• Collecting books for the Better World Book Drive in partnership with Invisible Children, a service club of USD student, to benefit world literacy
• Free transportation to farmer’s markets in Ocean Beach and Hillcrest for both students and the public through partnerships with Second Year Experience and the A.S. Sustainability Committee.
• Climate Change on Campus Camp-Out to educate and raise awareness about how climate change affects people, especially women and the poor.
• Service and Mountaineering Trip in and surrounding Quito, Ecuador
• Introduction of Earthboxes, a small planter that enables students to grow their own organic vegetables in small spaces like dorm and apartment balconies.
• Support for USD’s Environmental Network, a coalition of students, faculty and staff interested in environmental activism

Academics In Action

USD Holds Energy Futures Symposium

USD’s Political Science and International Relations department organized a symposium on energy futures May 5-9, 2009 that featured 22 speakers from academia, industry, government, and NGOs. 500 USD students and 100 UCSD studentsattended at least one of the 15 sessions of the conference, along with members of the community and USD faculty. The purpose of the program was to mix discussions of energysupply and demand (includinggas, oil, solar, and nuclear)with national and international political dynamics (in Latin America, the Middle East, Asia, and the USA) to better understand the financial, security, and environmental challenges of preparing for a future in which, among other things, the underdeveloped world can enjoy a higher quality of life while the world as a whole can move as quickly as possible towards a more sustainable future. Proceedings of the conference are being prepared and should be available in September.Click here for the complete symposium program; for more information, contact Prof. Randy Willoughby (rwilloug@sandiego.edu).

Environmental Studies Major Approved

The Marine Science and Environmental Studies Department received final approval from the Board of Trustees for the new streamlined Environmental Studies major beginning the Fall semester 2009. It is designed as an interdisciplinary approach studying environmental issues from the natural science, social science and humanities perspectives. This major is intended to provide students with a background in the natural sciences balanced by breadth in the social sciences and humanities most directly connected to environmental issues facing the world today. Students majoring in environmental studies will be well prepared to pursue graduate studies in environmental policy, resource management, environmental science, law or any area in the rapidly developing industries related to environmental sustainability. The environmental studies major offers a curriculum that includes preparatory courses in the natural and social sciences designed to prepare students for both the core upper division environmental science classes and the suite of electives they will take as part of the major. Several courses in preparation for the major satisfy Core Curriculum requirements. Students must complete a capstone experience that consists of at least 2 units of practical experience followed by Senior Seminar where students formally share the results of their work. Certain courses offered through field programs (like the School for Field Studies) or study abroad programs may satisfy some requirements of the major. The new major is generating a lot of excitement among existing and incoming students; several faculty members across campus have voiced an interest in developing new courses that will enhance this major in the near future.

Student Research Reflects Growing Interest in Sustainability

More than 130 USD students from 20 departments showcased diverse academic and field research, internships and art at the 4th annual Creative Collaborations event on April 21, 2009. Many of the posters described projects on climate change, energy, green technology, ecosystem degradation, and related domestic and international policies. The prevalence of these themes indicates that interest and academic investment in sustainability is on the rise. Here are just a few of the many projects featured this year:

Elisabetta Colabianchi, Class of 2009 Biology and Spanish major; Italian and Peace & Justice Studies minor Arundo: Potential Biomass Plant Used to Make Sustainable Biofuel While studying abroad in Milan, Italy during my junior year of college (2007-2008), I interned at L’Orto Botanico di Cascina Rosa (the Botanical Garden Cascina Rosa) working on alternative fuel research. My specific project involved determining the extent of genetic variability within different populations of Arundo donax (giant reed), and between species in the Arundo genus. This research was carried out using DNA sequencing. Arundo donax is a type of cellulosic biomass plant with great potential in wide-scale bioethanol production, creating a viable alternative to fossil fuels, in hopes of lessening global climate change. Arundo donax is an ideal candidate for alternative fuel production due to its many promising attributes. Arundo donax has been found to have both extremely low carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions and very high productivity per unit land compared to other biofuel sources such as corn or sugarcane. Since Arundo donax is a high-yielding non-food crop, its mass production does not cause an increase in food prices and possible hunger, as do some of the other biofuel crops that are also food crops. Due to its ability to tolerate adverse soil and water conditions (including highly saline and heavy metal contamination), it can be cultivated in areas where other crops cannot normally grow. It requires little resources except water, but can use wastewater, and provides little to no value for wildlife species, making it a likely fit for wide-scale biofuel production.

Carson Reeling, Class of 2009 Economics and Spanish major Redefining Wealth: An Assessment of the Limits to Development During my research, I found that focusing merely on equating people's incomes was futile for a few reasons: first, when guaranteed a certain level of income, the "free-rider" effect can take away the incentive for some people to work; second, empirical studies show that, even in countries with great welfare programs, certain economic hardships, like unemployment, for instance, can cause a drastic decrease in people's quality of life despite their relatively stable incomes (or income substitutes); studies show that unemployment causes increased morbidity, social exclusion, etc. However, when we look at places like Kerala, India , which is very poor relative to India in general, we see a case in which education and healthcare are free and women are highly respected. This has resulted in decreased "capability deprivation" (to use Nobel Prize-winner Amartya Sen's term), which has caused quality of life in Kerala to increase greatly; people there have a longer life expectancy than some demographic groups in the US ! Therefore, the example of Kerala shows that the traditional focus on ensuring adequate income alone is an illusion; the real difference can be made by improving quality of life and decreasing "capability deprivation" through offering greater education, healthcare services, and job opportunities, especially to women.

Brittany White, Class of 2009 Marine Science major Selene Fregosi, Class of 2009 Marine Science major, Chemistry minor Comparison Study Investigating the Impact of Sedimentation on Coral Reefs Through Suspended Sediment Analysis from Two Bays in St. John, US Virgin Islands Undergraduate research can take many different forms at USD, but the most beneficial form to us is actually getting out in the field and collecting samples for our sedimentation monitoring project. Sedimentation is the greatest threat to coral reef health in the Caribbean. We were part of an on-going research project, under the direction of Dr. Sarah Gray, and had the opportunity to travel to the island of St. John, USVI where we learned field sampling techniques and how to effectively communicate with our team members. Communication might seem relatively easy during field research, but when you’re underwater using SCUBA, hammering in a sediment trap that will collect falling particles out of the water column at a specific height, non-verbal communication becomes imperative. It was a new experience for both of us to utilize a recreational sport for scientific research! In order to continue monitoring sedimentation rates around the island of St. John, sediment traps and water samples have to be deployed and collected in certain test bays. We are interested in how much sediment actually gets into the surrounding bay waters from a developed (new housing developments, construction) watershed versus an undeveloped (within National Park boundaries) watershed. We are seeing higher sedimentations rates in developed bays compared to undeveloped bays. This is an important concept to quantify with additional data because it will assist in establishing appropriate management plans to conserve biological diversity of coral reefs in the Caribbean.

Matt Landa, Class of 2009 Business Administration major State Characteristics Leading to a Diversified Energy Portfolio and the Gains the United States Stands to Make from an Investment in Alternative Energy My research aims to identify the characteristics that make a country more likely to adopt alternative energy programs. Europe is currently the alternative energy world leader as far as production and effective diversification of its energy portfolio because it has made sustained investments in these sectors. However, the US has not made similar investments in alternative energy due to the volatility of oil prices. To understand this disparity, I compare several factors including the percent of the gross domestic product used towards the importation of oil, the amount of government spending that comprises a state’s overall gross domestic product, the energy intensity of an economy, the unemployment level, the GDP per capita, and various indexes measuring wealth disparity and vulnerability to oil shocks. Although the United States has been relatively lax about developing its alternative energy industry, there remains the potential for large economic gains from an investment in wind and solar industries. For example, the development of wind farms in the Midwest could spur innovation and provide jobs for the thousands of unemployed blue collar workers in manufacturing regions. Most U.S. coastal regions and vast areas of the Midwest have favorable conditions for wind generation.

Spotlight: Chris Wessells: Managing USD’s Information Technology Energy Footprint

Count the cords sprouting from behind each desk in a USD dorm, or the number of power strips snaking across the floor of Copley Library, and it is easy to see that technology, education and energy are closely intertwined. In order for us to be “plugged in” to the vast world of information technology (IT), we must plug in a growing list of networked devices. Each device like a laptop, GPS, MP3 or cell, while amazingly small, not only needs charging but also depends on connections to systems and servers located in data centers. Google has well over 500,000 servers. USD alone has more than 300 servers that are in turn linked to 6,500 networked computers on a typical weekday.

What’s the bottom line? According to a Stanford University study, more than 15% of energy usage by colleges is directly related to IT, and is expected to increase 15% per year for decades. Multiply that amount times hundreds of colleges and then add thousands of tons of e-waste produced each year. The result is an obvious need to address sustainable information technology.

At USD, a variety of strategies to make computing more efficient already are being coordinated by Vice Provost/CIO Chris Wessells.

“Over the past year Information Technology Services (ITS) has been implementing new technology from IBM, Hewlett-Packard, and VMware to virtualize our servers,” he explained. “Most traditional server resources are idle about 80% of the time, which is not very efficient. During course registration, for example, activity on certain servers is very high, but then it drops dramatically after this peak period and is nearly idle the rest of the year. Through VMware and IBM-AIX software, several physical servers can be ‘virtualized’ and run on a single piece of hardware, significantly reducing ‘server sprawl’ and making much more efficient use of resources. Thus far, ITS has used VMware to virtualize 37 servers. Virtualization leads to more advanced and efficient server complexes, more sophisticated IT disaster recovery capabilities, and yields better efficiency to reduce our IT energy footprint.” Large IT organizations in private industry and academia have observed 40 to 50 percent reductions in energy consumption of servers as a result of virtualization technology.

As part of the implementation of the Banner Student System, one major technological and sustainability improvement was the deployment of a networked imaging system called Xtender. This modern imaging system has placed scanned images of student information, more than 425,000 documents (or 970,000 pages), online. The scanned documents are typically admissions information, financial aid and student accounts data that are associated with individual student records within the SunGard Banner student system. USD administrators and faculty use the centrally stored images through instantaneous and secure access over the University network. The massive gain in efficiency is reflected in the elimination of approximately 76 four-drawer file cabinets of paper documents that have been recycled. USD has one of the most advanced imaging systems for student records and has eliminated the need to distribute thousands of pages of paper documents that, prior to 2008, were often copied and distributed via campus mail to many administrative departments.

Another information storage system called MAID (Massive Array of Idle Disks) is also being assessed by Information Technology Services to store data that is important but accessed infrequently. Through MAID, only those disk drives in active mode are spinning at any given time, thereby reducing power consumption and prolonging the drive lifespan.

“MAID technology if far more efficient for things like archived student transcripts,” Wessells observed. “Students frequently request their transcripts for the first five years or so after graduation, but over time those requests diminish, and eventually decline to almost zero. We still need to maintain those records and have access to this type of data, but not very often.”

While Wessells wrestles with power reduction on servers not in use, he is also looking at ways to shut down idle PCs connected to the network. More than 1,300 PCs on campus are currently monitored by KACE Kbox, a remote access and power management control system. Kbox can easily place networked devices (computers and peripherals) into hibernation mode or turn them off when not in use. This is an ideal technology to control power consumption among the “end-devices” on the University network that many people forget to turn off -- printers, monitors, and computers that should be shut down when not in use. Wessells noted that, “with the exception of central servers/network electronics, research computers and critical instrumentation, the myth that computers and peripherals should be left on is exactly that – a myth.” ITS can use KACE Kbox to monitor devices on the entire network, reduce power usage among its PC users and set policies for when desktops can either power down or hibernate. Another possibility is electric outlet monitors like the Wattstopper Plug Load Control and Smart Strip Power Strip that help stop idle current drawn from outlets when electronics aren't in use. ITS has been following an experiment within Stanford University residence halls using Smart Strip/Power Strips to aid in power management. ITS will work with USD Housing and Residential Life to analyze the use of Smart Strip/Power Strips prior to Fall 2009.

Other ways of reducing electric consumption being examined by Wessells include steering toward laptops in campus buildings since they use less energy, working with USD Facilities Management to heat and cool data centers more efficiently, and educating students, faculty and staff on how to reduce their “IT energy use.”

“We are constantly decommissioning old systems and replacing them with newer and more efficient ones,” Wessells noted. “All new PCs that we acquire are EPEAT certified, meaning they have been evaluated for their environmental attributes, and computer recycling is built into the lease programs we have with our PC vendors.” With emerging advancements in battery technology, Wessells anticipates that “laptop computers and handheld devices (Smart Phones, PDAs, iPods, etc.) will become much more ‘energy independent’ -- in other words, the frequency of recharging mobile devices will be reduced.”

Collectively, IT upgrades in efficiency have qualified USD for a $50,000 rebate from San Diego Gas & Electric. Wessells anticipates that “…if appropriate documentation can be prepared on our server virtualization projects, USD may qualify for an additional $100,000 in electricity rebates from SDG&E.”

While ITS at USD will continue to strive for more efficient systems, challenges also are inherent in the rapidly changing world of technology.

“One area where we will see some big changes is in LCD monitors and TVs,” Wessells predicted. “Not only will Organic LED televisions quickly decrease in thickness, weight and cost, but they will use about 50% of the energy of current high-definition LCD/Plasma televisions. That can make a big difference in future buildings that will utilize large televisions to display information on events and meetings, campus news, and even dining menus in addition their traditional role in entertainment.”

Did You Know?

Interim Director of Sustainability Named

USD’s Michael Catanzaro was recently selected to serve as Interim Director of Sustainability. His experience at the university spans 13 years, including an undergraduate degree in Political Science, an MA in Leadership Studies, and eight years on staff, most recently as Special Projects Coordinator with Finance & Administration. These experiences provide him with a unique perspective on how students, faculty, staff and administration can work together to achieve USD’s sustainability goals.

“I’m looking forward to this new opportunity and I encourage the community to contact me with questions, ideas and feedback,” he emphasized.

Michael can be contacted at ext. 7957 or at michael5@sandiego.edu

City Council Passes Mandatory Water Restrictions

In May 2009 the San Diego City Council voted to implement a "Level 2" drought alert and impose mandatory outdoor water-use restrictions. Limits on watering lawns and washing cars will go into effect June 1, with residents allowed to water their lawns and landscaping only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. three days a week from June through October for no more than 10 minutes at a time. Homes with odd-numbered addresses will be permitted to water on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Homes with even-numbered addresses can water on Saturday, Monday and Wednesday. Apartments, condos and businesses can water only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Cars should only be washed at residences between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m., and a bucket and a hose with a shut-off nozzle must be used. Ornamental fountains and construction site watering is also restricted. Restaurants will only serve water on request and commercial car washes will be asked to reduce the amount of water they use. Fines range from $100 to $1,000.

USD Students Help Launch Green Website

USD students and activists Trent Hodges, Austin Parker, Simona Capisani, and recent grad Luke Thomas are contributing to a new website thinkgreenliveclean.com with the mission of “providing people with the simplest, easiest, and smartest solutions for living a ‘greener’ lifestyle.” The site, although still evolving, already offers news, links, tips and guidelines for improving energy efficiency and conservation at home, and an expanding list of places to shop for green, organic, recycled and sustainably produced products. Check it out.

Apartment Renters Can Still Save Water and Energy

Many college students live in a different apartment each year, so there can be little incentive to invest in energy-efficient improvements. But there are many things renters can do that either cost very little or can be taken to your next place. Here are some great ideas from FlexYourPower.org:

1. Low-Flow Showerhead
Remove your old showerhead and replace it with a low-flow model. When you move, pack up the low-flow showerhead and put the original showerhead back on.

2. Displace Water in Your Toilet Tank
Find a plastic bottle. Fill it with gravel. Place it in your toilet tank. You can leave this for the next tenant or take it with you.

3. Insulated Drapes/Blackout Curtains/Cellular Blinds
Covering your windows with insulated dressings such as blackout curtains or cellular blinds can significantly reduce your heating and cooling bills. These can be moved with you.

4. Draft Stoppers
Place easily movable draft stoppers in front of drafty doors and windows. They cost about ten bucks, or you can make them yourself.

5. Plastic Window Insulation
Insulate your windows by covering them with plastic. You can remove the plastic when you leave the apartment.

6. CFL Bulbs
CFLs can provide as much light as incandescent bulbs while saving you at least 30-60% on lighting costs. Also, be sure to turn off lights when not in use.

7. Shade Your Air Conditioner
If you have a window-mounted air conditioner, you can save energy and money by shading it from the sun. The cooler the air conditioner, the more efficient it runs.

8. Use Fans Instead of A/C
Reduce air conditioning costs by using fans, keeping windows and doors shut and closing shades during the day.

9. Pay Attention to Your Fridge
In an apartment building, 25% of your electric bill may go towards the fridge. Check the fridge’s seal, cover your food, and fill your fridge with water jugs to keep it full and colder.

For more easy ways for renters and homeowners to save, visit: http://www.fypower.org/res/tools/energy_tips.html

Earth Day Trivia

Q:Can you complete the slogan made famous by Keep America Beautiful in its TV spot launched on Earth Day in 1971?
 "People start pollution; people  _ _ _   _ _ _ _   _ _."

A: People start pollution; people can stop it.

Q: Who portrayed the American Indian (that’s what they were called in the 1970s) in the Keep America Beautiful PSA?

A: An actor named Iron Eyes Cody (1904 –1999). He appeared in more than 100 movies and TV shows, many of them Westerns.

Q: What Native American tribe was he from?

A: “Iron Eyes” maintained that his ancestry was Cree and Cherokee, and he did in fact live according to Indian customs and promote Indian causes throughout much of his adult life and up until his death. But he may not have been Native American at all! Some seemingly reliable sources (including his apparent sister) indicate that he was born in Louisiana as Espera De Corti, the son of Sicilian immigrants Francesca Salpietra and Antonio DiCorti. When he moved to Hollywood he changed his name from Corti to Cody, found work as an extra and then moved up to bigger parts. Whether he was or wasn’t, Keep America Beautiful is still an active environmental organization, and Iron Eyes Cody is still prominently featured on their website.

Send your response to the newsletter or suggestions to gogreen@sandiego.edu