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VU neighborhood aiming for 5 percent energy reduction
Nov. 2, 2009—Go Green, District 18 is an initiative to reduce District 18’s energy consumption by 5 percent. Because Vanderbilt is located in District 18 and many faculty and staff members live there, the university is encouraging people to participate. Homeowners and businesses in District 18 are encouraged to sign up for an NES In-Home Energy Evaluation...
What can you do to affect climate change? Small changes at home make a big difference
Oct. 26, 2009—[Originally published in MyVU] While longer-term options are being developed, individual households can reduce overall carbon emissions by implementing a series of small changes, such as lowering the temperature on water heaters and regularly performing maintenance on cars and air-conditioners, according to an article published today. Jonathan Gilligan, associate professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences,...
VU supply chain has strong history of ‘buying green’
Jul. 24, 2009—By Leslie Hast [Originally published in The Reporter] In the last fiscal year, Procurement Services processed 452,000 transactions totaling more than $600 million for items ranging from cars and office furniture to toilet paper and floor cleaner. With so many products making their way onto Vanderbilt’s campus every day, there are numerous opportunities to “go...
Vanderbilt University to create mountain of trash on Earth Day April 22
Apr. 20, 2009—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Services in MyVU] The Vanderbilt University SustainVU office, in conjunction with Plant Operations and Housekeeping staff, will construct a one-day exhibit – Mt. Trashmore – for Earth Day Wednesday, April 22, on Alumni Lawn near the flagpole. Housekeeping crews who work in buildings surrounding Alumni Lawn will take their trash...
Another look at the coal plant
Feb. 1, 2009—[Originally published by Vanderbilt Student Communications in InsideVandy] By Simon Hirsch President Barack Obama’s inauguration last month and a December coal spill in Kingston, Tenn. both may lead to an increased focus on campus coal safety. Obama’s energy plan aims to simultaneously provide short-term relief to American families, eliminate current imports from the Middle East...
Net Impact group creates illustration of wasted paper
Jan. 28, 2009—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] The Net Impact group at the Owen Graduate School of Management recently built a special display in the school’s stairwell. The Smart Printing display was built using wasted paper found near Owen printers over a three-week span. The display is part of an educational campaign to discourage...
New technology collects, recycles exhaled anesthetic
Nov. 7, 2008—[Originally published by Vanderbilt Medical Center’s Office of News and Communication in The VUMC Reporter] By Leslie Hast A new technology, called the Dynamic Gas Scavenging System (DGSS), could have an impact on both the environment and health care economics. The system, invented by James Berry, M.D., professor of Anesthesiology, along with Leland Lancaster, M.D,...
Seven easy actions you can do today to save the environment and gas
Oct. 20, 2008—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] Want to save gasoline, lower your power bills and help save the environment? New Vanderbilt research identifies seven simple actions individuals can start today that have the potential to dramatically reduce energy use and carbon emissions. Individuals generate up to 40 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions....
Sustainability and Environmental Management Office to kick off event recycling program at football game against Duke
Oct. 8, 2008—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] The Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) will offer coordinated recycling at Vanderbilt’s last three home football games this season, beginning this Saturday, Oct. 25, at the game against Duke. “Major events on campus present the opportunity to recycle a large amount of material that would otherwise...
Cutting through the hype: What science tells us about climate change
Aug. 15, 2008—[Originally published by Vanderbilt News Service in MyVU] “Global Warming – What do we know and what we should do?” is the title of a free public lecture that will be given Thursday afternoon, Sept. 4, on the Vanderbilt University campus. The speaker will be Richard Somerville, a coordinating lead author of the United Nation’s...