Contact: Rhys Lindmark, Senator/Environmental Advisory Committee Liaison

2009-2010

The EAC has been discussing a lot about what we wold like to see completed this year and in the near and far future.  Currently we have decided to look at the job description of the new Director of Energy Management position and help shape this title.  Rob Lamppa will be replaced this year, hopefully next term.  As for more immediate hirings, we will be hiring a conservation consultant to help draft the Presidents' Climate Commitment, which is a plan to reduce Carleton's eco-footprint, mostly by reducing GreenHouse Gas emissions.  We have also been discussing new and old alternative energy sources, including the second wind turbine.  The turbine will likely be of the larger size, very similar to the one that we currently have only this turbine will connect straight to Carleton's electric grid, directly offsetting our emissions.  We are also looking into geo-thermal heating/cooling in the future.  Preliminary research has been done and it looks like a viable possibility for future changes.  The last topic we plan to pursue is a sustainability orientation for faculty/staff and new students.  This would just be to get the information out there and attempt to make the behavioral changes that are required to have a more sustainable campus.

Mark Kanazawa has taken the main leadership role and has been a huge contributor to everything we are working on.  The STAs are also attending all of the meetings and bringing great input.

We soon hope to complete the Sustainability Revolving Fund (SRF) committee in order to begin to review submissions and put the SRF to good use!

2008-2009

• Update 11/08: We approved funding for posters for every dorm floor and department educating people on how to report to facilities temperature problems in their room.  This will hopefully cut down on the number of people who open their windows in the winter.  We also approved funding for "I Pledged" buttons which will be distributed to those who have signed the Pledge of Sustainable Conduct.  Sub-Committees gave updates on their progress.  We discussed how sustainability could be incorporated into study abroad programs (such as carbon offsets).  We also had an extensive conversation about the SRF and what we should do to increase visibility and participation.  We decided to advertise for a informational meeting to take place this Wednesday 8:00 in Leighton 305.
• So far this year, the EAC has divided into 6 sub-committees. Within each of these committees, which meet on EAC's off week, we have created initiatives and goals that we want to accomplish by the end of the year. :
  
  • ACUPCC Carbon Neutrality Plan and Energy Plan and Energy/Water use Reduction
  • Campus Energy Use Awareness/Reduction Education
  • Green Purchasing Policies
  • Promotion of Campus Sustainability Initiatives
  • Transportation Commuting/Parking
  • Solid Waste Handling and Campus Farm

• Among others, our goals are to:
  • Write and pass a green purchasing policy for Carleton through the College Council
  • Educate the campus about sustainability issues through Residential Life and department/faculty meetings
  • Work with Media Relations and Admissions to publicize campus sustainability events and initiatives.

2007-2008

• CSA has proposed a Green Fund on the upcoming election's referendum, which would provide student groups with the opportunity to "green" their activities
• CSA Senators helped to formulate the "Carleton Suggested Practices for Sustainable Living" document that will be featured in this year's Lagniappe
• New Student Week 2008 will include a video promoting Sustainability and Carleton, as well as the Freshmen Gift of a reusable mug
• We continue to hear proposals from the Sustainability Revolving Fund, which funds such projects as installing vending misers on machines around campus that would reduce energy use