In February 2007, Chancellor Nancy Cantor signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, which stipulated that signatories must work toward eliminating greenhouse gas emissions on campus. In 2008, Syracuse University published a Greenhouse Gas Inventory that showed the university was emitting an astounding 115,648 metric tons of carbon dioxide in an average year. Finally in 2009, SU published its full Climate Action Plan (CAP), which set Dec. 31, 2040, as the deadline for carbon neutrality and, through a very comprehensive and cost-effective framework, has started working to offset current emissions, while transitioning the university to more sustainable energy sources.

This is one of the most ambitious and progressive climate mitigation plans in the country and should serve as a model for how to address our collective climate and energy concerns.

We all know the climate change story: Gases like carbon dioxide and methane become atmospheric insulators in high enough quantities. Since the advent of the coal and oil ages, we have been emitting far too much to keep our climate stable. Global average temperatures are rising at a rate too high to be explained by natural long-term fluctuations, and the only factor that correlates is the quantity of greenhouse gas emissions.

We have already done tremendous damage to our natural environment, so going carbon neutral is only part of a long-term solution toward proper ecological stewardship, but it is an absolutely crucial step. If all greenhouse gas emissions ceased globally, we would still have to deal with a climate that has literally changed because of our irresponsibility. But at least we would stop adding to our future difficulties.

The CAP aims to properly phase out waste and phase in renewable energy, such as wind and solar power, to address SU’s energy demands. These are strong initiatives the university is already pursuing.

Steve Lloyd from the Sustainability Division said, ‘We met with a wind company a few weeks back as part of the CAP. …We are awaiting a preliminary report. The back part of Skytop, toward Drumlins and Route 481 seems to have (potential). … It may end up being combined with solar; we are looking at all options.’

As someone who has written and won a grant for wind energy exploration in New Hampshire, I can tell you the regulatory framework is very dense. But I still expect expediency in developing local renewable energy sources and will not stand idly by if there emerges any unwarranted opposition.

Being from Massachusetts, I remember the ridiculous battle over offshore wind turbines perpetuated by a bunch of rich, over-privileged armchair liberals who didn’t want their million-dollar views tainted by the sight of wind turbines, even though they happen to be some of the most awe-inspiring monuments to human progress.

The CAP is an excellent framework for reducing the university’s carbon footprint. It is not, however, a panacea for the university community’s partial responsibility for greenhouse gas emissions. The only real way to eliminate harmful emissions in a way that mitigates our impact on the environment is to fundamentally change behavioral patterns around energy consumption. Turn out lights when you leave a room and unplug any electronic device or charger you aren’t using, because they actually sap electricity and are referred to as vampire loads, which are wasteful and lack utility.

Work with your local housing, whether it be dorms or rentals, to recycle more effectively, and use hallway lights more efficiently. My apartment complex has motion-sensor lights in the hallways, but the dorms I used to live in never had the lights turned off. That’s wasteful. With a motion sensor, there is no added safety of such perennial lighting.

In short, reduce consumption where possible, and if you see wasteful practices, don’t be afraid to say something – or even better, do something about it. The less energy we use, the less costly energy becomes. Our university is making very progressive and necessary changes, so why don’t you?

Luke Lanciano is a junior political science major. His column appears every Tuesday, and he can be reached at lllancio@syr.edu.

 

Published on October 4, 2010 at 12:00 pm