Universities aren’t just centers for learning but can set lifelong values for those lucky enough to be able to attend. Even outside the classroom, a college campus can promote innovation and become a platform for learning.
How did you pick the university you ended up going to? (Or how will you?)
Personally, these assets come to mind: strong academics, internship opportunities, good location, passionate profs... And the list goes on.
I decided on the assets that I wouldn’t be able to change myself; strong academics is a quality I can only have so much influence on, but campus sustainability is something we can all strive towards no matter what role we have in the community.
Here are some simple, but effective, ways that universities all over the world are being clean, green, learning string-beans (erm... I mean machines!):
1. University of Georgia (Costa Rica)
It's a jungle out there!
No, really. UGA Costa Rica is in the middle of the Monteverde cloud-forest. With a super green location (literally), does it deliver on equally green practices?
Well... Yes and no. Sustainability-wise? Yes. Colour-wise... It's actually more brownish.
UGA gets its cooking fuel from animal (that includes human) poop! All waste goes to their biodigester, an oxygen-proof storage compartment filled with methane-producing microorganisms. While these bacteria are having the time of their lives, undigested organic material ferments and gets decomposed and voila! They have a supply of methane.
Methane is an extremely potent greenhouse gas. So why are we trying to make it?
It can actually be used as a fuel for cooking or heating, which is what happens at the campus. When it's burned, it emits the far-less-potent carbon dioxide (to put that into perspective, CO2 is 25 times less potent).
2. Valley View University (Ghana)
VVU takes advantage of Ghana's powerful year-round solar radiation by using solar collectors as a way of reducing costs and fossil fuel use.
It looks like a pretty intimidating contraption, but all it does is turn solar energy into heat; the metal transfers the heat to (in this case) water or air inside the collector-tube. The heated water can be used for showers in the student residences or dishwashing in the kitchen, without emitting any unnecessary greenhouse gases.
That sounds pretty hot to me!
Now you might be saying, “Wait a second, Yuanyuan... I can advocate for my university to adopt these techniques, but what can I do about implementing change if I'm not an engineer?”
Glad you asked! This next example has some good ideas for you non-engineering folks out there.
3. University of Northern British Columbia (Canada)
Farmers markets give me joy--but sometimes I have to travel to a different neighborhood to get to one.
If you go to UNBC in Canada though (or if you want to copy this University’s success at your school), you can volunteer with other students, staff and faculty, to organize weekly farmers markets right on campus! Farmers, bakers and craftsmen sell their locally grown, raised, and concocted products at the market.
All you really need is space and maybe a couple of tables (let's not forget getting the farmers involved either). Fortunately at UNBC, the market is held at a designated event space on campus, which most universities have.
4. University of Canterbury (New Zealand)
If you really have space on your campus, then why not grow your cake and eat it too? That’s exactly what members of the UC community has done. UC has community gardens where students grow organic produce right on campus.
You don't necessarily have to garden in the gardens. People can simply stroll through if they want to clear their heads or admire the beautiful place where they're spending the next few years of their lives.
I agree with their premise--many university campuses could use a little greenspace.
5. Loyola University Chicago (USA)
ChainLinks - a bike rental and repair shop that promotes biking as a mode of transportation - is a student-led initiative unique to Loyola. Okay, maybe you'd need a bit of engineering experience to do the "repair" part, but it's a really neat idea!
Not only are they reducing fossil fuel emissions by promoting an alternative-transport culture, but the students who run it are also learning the mechanics (ha) of entrepreneurial business.
What a way to gain some wheel-world experience! (ok, couldn’t help myself there)
Imagine what communities all over the world would look like if we all made efforts to make them a little greener.
What can you do on your part?