Introduction
Our goal as Brooklyn College students is to analyze our carbon footprint and see how our energy management structures can be altered to better suit the environment. We are focusing on CUNY’s sustainability infrastructure as well as individual contributions to a greener future. As students, our environmental future is developing in front of our eyes on a global scale as well as on a local level. It is our responsibility as working members of our society to be educated on such issues as well as being involved in the restructuring of our current system which creates unnecessary pollution and energy waste.
Abstract
Global warming is an immense issue. It affects every single living thing on the planet and is the single greatest threat to the future of humanity and the Earth. It is discussed in the cabinets of presidents, chancellors and despots alike, both in private and international meetings. With such global implications it is easy to forget that global warming is also an incredibly personal issue and can be tackled on an individual basis. This project is meant to be an overview of some of the strides, steps and commitments that the CUNY system has made in the realm of energy management, from the research and development done at the CUNY Energy Institute, to the infrastructure improvements and commitments of the 10 Year Plan. More than anything, the goal of this project is to remind its viewers that the fight against global warming is happening in our backyards. By showing that the fight against global warming and championing of energy efficiency is occurring in our home campuses we hope to remind the reader that they as a single individual can fight the good fight and take action to safeguard the future of humanity on a local level.
Inspiration Behind the Project
* We began noticing little things around Brooklyn College that were not great examples of energy management such as the fume hoods in the chemistry lab being left open.
* We were curious about Brooklyn College’s energy management structure and hoped to see where Brooklyn College, and other CUNYS, could improve.
* We were wondering what we, as students, could do to contribute to Brooklyn College’s energy management structure.
Process and Methodology
*The central CUNY system provides all of its colleges with energy and gives it an energy budget.
* Our sources of information were research about comparisons of energy usage from different CUNY schools. This shows that Brooklyn College is a heavy contributor to energy use out of all the CUNY schools.
* We also looked at goals that CUNY has set for the future in terms of sustainability and decarbonization. This includes the NYBuild Smart plan and attempts to capture and conserve wasted energy.
Additions/Recommendations
* Fume hoods in the chemistry labs must kept closed as much as possible
* Better spread of recycling/trash bins around the campus to prevent littering/polluting
* As many lights as possible should be turned off overnight
* Keep doors and windows closed during the winter to minimize heating cost and energy requirements
Conclusions
* The biggest contributors of energy usage have been Brooklyn College, Lehman College, CSI, and Medgar Evans. In 2015, BC had the highest peak demand of energy out of all the CUNY schools.
* CUNY has a 30% energy emissions reduction target in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order 88, NYBuild Smart.
* So far, Brooklyn College has established steam-trap and radiator valve maintenance program and instituted a power-down policy for all computers. We have developed education campaigns to minimize waste and cut consumption, developed inventory of water facilities and fixtures, upgraded landscaping sprinkler system in central and west quads, and we periodically assess potable water quality and share findings.
Going Forward
* We found this project very helpful as a way to voice our concerns about CUNY’s energy management.
* We can continue to bring up areas where energy management at Brooklyn College and CUNY could be better to our superiors.
* Most importantly, we can contribute to making the campus a greener place on an individual level based on our own choices. Just because we don’t control CUNY’s energy management does not mean we can’t make a difference.
* We can encourage our friends and classmates to conserve their energy usage on campus as well.
