August 22, 2008

A More Sustainable Future for Auburn University

At the end of this long hot summer the price of gas remains high, rainfall is still low, both Presidential candidates have touted the idea of off-shore drilling, but there is some good news close to home. In June, the Board of Trustees of Auburn University approved the Strategic Plan that lays out a roadmap for the university for the next several decades, and in the plan they have pledged to make sustainability one of the guiding principles of Auburn. The introduction states, “we recognize the importance of sustainability as crucial for this century, and we are integrating this theme into our work.” [Full text of Strategic Plan]

The plan declares that we must prepare Auburn's students for an increasingly globalized world in which sustainability will become ever more important, and as an institution we must deepen our “commitment to sustainability” and learn to use our resources more wisely. In practical terms they vouch that sustainability will be incorporated into more courses, all new and existing buildings will comply to green building or LEED standards, and that a Wellness and Sustainability Center will be established to promote better health in individuals and communities within their environments.

Auburn University's administrators and Board of Trustees have recognized our special place as a University in helping to lead the world toward a sustainable future.

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Green Lunch Series

In the wake of the great response we had last year to our Green Lunch Series, we continue this fall with more inspiring and informative guest speakers. Bring your brown bag lunch to new Student Center 2107 once a month and stimulate your mind while feeding your body. Our first speaker, on August 26, will be Adam Snyder, executive director of Conservation Alabama, a non-profit group based out of Birmingham which lobbies state government about environmental issues. Visit Conservation Alabama's website. For the names and dates of all our speakers, see below.

We hope to see you there!

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A SUST2000-Introduction to Sustainability and Sustainability as a Minor

This fall semester sees the inauguration of AU's first course under the SUST prefix, Introduction to Sustainability. [See our website for more details]

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New Bicycle Lanes for Auburn University

For bicyclists, runners and walkers there is lots of good news in Auburn this fall. During the summer the university completed a 1 mile bike path on Donahue Drive, south of Samford Avenue. The path is two lanes and is set back from the road and features lighting and tree shade along part of its length. The university has also given the green light to a further 1.4 mile bike path south along Wire Road from Samford Avenue to Webster Road. Two-thirds of the funding from the Wire Road bike path was obtained via a grant from the Alabama Department of Transport.

This comes at a time when students have also a gotten their own bike repair shop in the new Student Center building. The building opens the first week of class, but we are still awaiting the completion of the bike shop. All of this progress got the attention of the national press and on August 7 Auburn University was mentioned on the front page of USA Today.

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New SGA Environmental Initiative Committee

The SGA has established a new Environmental Initiative Committee which is committed to making Auburn students more environmentally aware. Among its action this year will be a “Did You Know...?” campaign through which they will share interesting facts and practical tips with AU students about greener living.

The committee will hosted a table for welcome week last Friday, August 22, 10-2pm.

Keep an eye out for this new group and their green works this semester!

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National Wildlife Federation Campus Ecology Fellowships

Students, are you involved in any projects that aim to reverse global warming? If so, you have a chance to win a fellowship from the National Wildlife Federation. Join the 113 previously awarded fellows, and you will receive a monetary grant, project support and recognition for your work.

The deadline is October 1 and you can read more details at the Reduce Your Footprint website.

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Lug-A-Mug

The average Auburn student uses an estimated 800 disposable cups per year.

Remember, reusing is better than recycling, so if you didn't buy one last year make sure you get yourself a Lug-A-Mug this fall. Not only will you be saving on materials and energy, but you will save cash too. In various places on campus and around town you can fill your mug with drip-coffee or soda for the price of a small.

For the time being Lug-A-Mugs can be purchased for $7.00 (incl. tax) at the Library coffee shop (Stacks), the Haley Center coffee shop located on the first floor and Dudley Hall (the Drawing Board).

For more information about participating vendors, see our website.

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AASHE

AASHE, The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, is still accepting proposals for posters for its 2008 conference which will be held in Raleigh, NC, November 9-11. The deadline for poster proposals is September 1, 2008. For more information on deadlines and fees see the AASHE website. [http://www.aashe.org/conf2008/call.php]

As Auburn University is a member of AASHE, anyone with an ID can sign into the AASHE website.

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Buy and Use Less Gas

When our gas tanks and wallets both seem to be emptying at an ever faster rate, we all feel shocked and a little bruised. The rising prices of gas and food has affected us all. It is especially tough on low-income families and those with a long commute, but for many of us, and perhaps the environment as a whole, these rising costs could offer opportunities to improve our health and the health of the planet.

According to the Department of Transport, Americans drove 12.2 billion fewer miles in June 2008 than in June 2007. Not only does that mean we have spent less money on gas, it also means less carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, VOCs, particle matter and soot in the atmosphere.

Here is a list of things we can all do to keep moving in a more sustainable direction:

Driving

• Car pool to work or school! Auburn University has joined Alabama State Personnel Department in promoting the Commute with Company program. To find someone to commute with , go to the State Personnel Commute with Company website.
• Avoid unnecessary car trips.
  When you do need to use your car, combine several trips into one. For example, swing by Day Spring health food store when you have to go to the post office and buy your granola in bulk.
• Use the fuel you paid for effectively. Every make and model of car is different, but in general fuel efficiency decreases significantly with every mph over 60mph.
• A certain someone may have poked fun at Obama when he bade us all check our tire pressure, but there was something in what he said. When your tires are too soft gas mileage decreases by 0.4% on average with every psi below optimum pressure.
• Keep your car in tune and check and replace air filters and oil regularly.

For more tips on fuel economy see the Department of Energy's Gas Mileage Tips.

Tiger Transit
Leave your car at home and catch the bus. Tiger Transit continues to provide a bus service on many routes on campus and around Auburn, from 7am until 10pm.

• For information about their services see the Tiger Transit website. [http://www.auburn.edu/administration/parking_transit/transit/]
• Each bus is equipped with GPS so you can find out where your bus is right now online here [http://auburn.transloc-inc.com/]. Right click on that page to show call numbers. Those with an asterisk have a bike rack on the front of the bus.
• Or you can get the information sent to your phone through this webpage.[http://auburn.transloc-inc.com/alternate.php]

Walk or Bike
Campus Planning and Space Management continue to make Auburn University more pedestrian and bike-friendly. If you are within a few miles of campus and on a suitable route, walking or biking to work or school will provide you with daily exercise.

To avoid the worst of the heat, leave early in the morning. Or just bring a change of shirt.

If you are too tired to walk or bike home on some days, you can always hop on the bus. See Tiger Transit section above on how to find the buses with the bike racks.

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