Questions
- What can you do to reduce your own ecological footprint?
- What are some of the resource inputs and waste outputs of universities like the ANU and NUS and how do these contribute to their overall footprint?
- List some innovative strategies that the educational institutions like the ANU and NUS are doing to reduce their overall ecological footprint. Do any of these strategies challenge social or institutional "norms"? (That is, Change the way people behave or think?)
- Device 2 strategies that ANU or NUS could implement to reduce their footprint, and enhance sustainability. Who is responsible? Individuals changing their behaviour, the university changing the way it conducts business, or both? Why?
http://www.earthday.net/footprint/flash.html
Here's some additional info:
http://www.footprintnetwork.org/en/index.php/GFN/page/frequently_asked_questions/
2. I think paper is a big resource that tends to get used in excess. Electricity, especially with regard to AC, seems to be used in excess. The paper affects the footprint as it produces GHG in the manufacture, production, and distribution. It also reduces carbon sink potential. The electricity obviously produces GHG.
ReplyDelete3. NUS has an initiative to keep all rooms at 25 degrees C, although there doesn't seem to be any real accountability and rooms tend to be much cooler at times. All printing is defaulted to double-sided. Recycling has been picking up as well. The new office of sustainability on campus seems to be doing a lot of good things. There's also a global warming campaign.
I think they are aimed at changing the way people act and think, but there doesn't seem to be much incentive to participate in these things. It seems to be an uphill battle. Do you other NUS students have the same perceptions?
4. Things are never black and white. Especially now in this age of globalization. It has to be a shared responsibility between individuals and the university. One without the other means one will negate the positive actions of the other. How this should manifest itself and be implemented I don't really know. Any ideas?
Liv-ANU
ReplyDelete1.cutting down on my ecological footprint needs to start with me acknowledging my impact.iv been walking everywhere for the past month because i live on campus,however with power,i just leave appliances switched on.i could probably recycle more but our bin set up isnt great in my building so i mix rubbish a bit.
3.ANU is trying to limit their footprint through using more sustainable energy and waste systems (for example).this includes solar power, composting,recycling.students are educated and encouraged to print double sided. earth hour is celebrated and helps to promote sustainability and raise awareness of our footprint.
i think supplying general waste and recycling bins leads to a change in behaviour as people begin to think more about their rubbish and where it will go,what harm it could do.i havnt noticed the "norms" changing as much around me but it is more acceptable that some of us are more environmentally minded and concerned. studying environmental science it is a bit hard for me to comment on the other thousands of students who arent as i wouldnt expect them to be as aware of issues and few would know about ANUgreen-sustainability group.
4.ANU seems to be doing a huge amount to reduce our footprint,there is only so much that can be tackled at one time.im not entirely sure of just how far they are planning to take their action,eg what funds will allow.there are alot of mindsets that need to be changed in order to reduce the footprint more.i agree with sam that it has to be a shared responsibility between individuals and the uni,both must be willing to participate and make an effort for this cause.
ANU STUDENTS-you probably have a lot to add and im very open for discussion.i also know that in the older colleges eg.bruce and ursula theres more projects going on than unilodge
1) since moving to uni I have walked everywhere and stopped eating meat, so that's progress. the recycling bins provided at uni are pretty comprehensive so I use them all the time (except for when the compost bins in the kitchen are sometimes not put back properly).
ReplyDeleteI can be a bit lazy about filling a sink of water to do my dishes rather than running the tap, and likewise I take longer showers than I should, so these are some things I could work on. also making sure appliances aren't left on standby etc...
2) lots of lighting and aircons, although this is handled pretty well considering the size of the university. (e.g. street lamps that turn on when you walk past etc instead of being on all the time).
3) As Liv said, the ANU is really into 'green' stuff and ANUgreen does a lot of good work eg. the hot rot composting centre, organic garden, recycling bins, events promoting sustainability.
I think that the community outreach type events are pretty successful in helping people think about and perhaps change their actions, eg, the sustainability day a few weeks ago where those who got to uni by bike or foot got free breakfast.
4) I agree with Liv and Sam that the university can only do so much to change the actions of individuals... they can make it easier to do the right thing (and are doing a really good job of this) but at some point people have to be responsible for their actions.