One year down, a lifetime left to go. That's the way University of Michigan officials are looking at the school's environmental stewardship in light of its first Annual Environmental Report.
The report shows that UofM's total energy use declined slightly while recycling increased, along with alternative transit use. The university is recycling 30 percent of its solid waste while its van pool program logged 9 million miles last year.
The figures were compiled in Environmental Data Repository an Excel-based database developed by university students, faculty and staff.
"The EDR is useful to see trending over years," says Henry Baier, associate vice president for facilities and operations. "It is a comprehensive collection in one place and helps focus our environmental efforts."
University staff is working with DTE Energy to identify renewable energy sources and a Web site that allows staff to access green purchasing options. New campus construction and renovation projects are being built to exceed industry environmental standards.
The university announced a campus-wide initiative last spring to become more involved in campus environmental and energy conservation efforts. The six-point enterprise calls for, among other things, improving the energy consumption of the university's facilities by creating "Wolverine Teams," composed of operations and facilities management staff and the occupants of the buildings.
The pilot phase of this initiative targeted five university buildings of varying degrees of age with the goal of making them greener. Those buildings include: The Institute for Social Research, Chemistry, Space Research, Rackham and Fleming. Furthermore, to compliment the program's goals, university leaders are seeking ways to purchase more power from green sources like wind and solar power.
Source: Diane Brown, spokeswoman for the University of Michigan
Writer: Jon Zemke
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