News
Cheaper wind power possible through “talking” turbines
Mar. 16, 2015—Originally published by Reuters. The measurements taken inside a Vanderbilt University wind tunnel could hold the key to making wind power a viable, cost effective energy source in the future, according to Professor Doug Adams and his team of engineers. Inside a massive 20,000 square foot laboratory, Adams and his team fitted inertial sensors on two...
Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review
Mar. 4, 2015—The Environmental Law and Policy Annual Review (ELPAR) welcomes Professor William Boyd of the University of Colorado Law School as a part of its annual Nashville conference to discuss the importance of a revitalized and expanded notion of public utility for efforts to decarbonize the U.S. power sector. A panel of experts will join him...
Time when climate was topsy-turvy in Western U.S. aids climate prediction efforts
Mar. 2, 2015—Climate scientists now put the odds that the American Southwest is headed into a 30-year “mega drought” at 50/50. Meanwhile, the forecast for the Pacific Northwest is continued warming with slightly drier summers and even wetter winters. However, 21,000 years ago, at the peak of the last Ice Age, a period known as the Last...
Blair School of Music VORTEX percussion presents the American Gamelan
Feb. 27, 2015—VORTEX and the American Gamelan Poster Nashville has the unique opportunity to experience the American Gamelan after its 900-mile journey to the Blair School of Music during the VORTEX percussion concert on March 15 at 8pm in Ingram Hall. The audience will be able to experience this unforgettable orchestra made from scrap materials that is...
Inaugural Commons Unplugged Week includes Green Forum and Green Fair
Feb. 11, 2015—The first-ever Commons Unplugged environmental awareness week, from Sunday, February 15 to Saturday February 21, 2015 will celebrate sustainability, natural resource conservation and energy conservation through various events focusing on Vanderbilt’s first-year student population. Commons Unplugged is co-sponsored by The Ingram Commons, in partnership with the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office and the School for...
Dr. Randy Blakely’s lab wins 2015 basketball “Greenest Group on Campus” award
Feb. 11, 2015—Read the MyVU story here. Dr. Randy Blakely’s lab group has been named winner of the 2015 Vanderbilt Basketball Sustainability Competition. Dr. Blakely’s lab staff celebrated their title of “greenest group on campus” at the Vanderbilt vs. South Carolina basketball game Feb. 7 with a catered hospitality event, tickets to the game, an autographed basketball...
Family tradition helps expand environmental and sustainability studies
Feb. 3, 2015—Originally published by Vanderbilt News. Read the article here. For Sommers Kline, BA’14, it all began the first semester of her first year when she signed up for an oceanography course. “Within the first two weeks, I learned that coral reefs were unlikely to last beyond the next 30 years,” Kline recalled. “I thought that...
Energy conservation urged as temperatures plummet
Jan. 7, 2015—Read the Vanderbilt News story here. A polar vortex will bring bitterly cold weather to Nashville this week and with it an unusually increased demand for energy on campus. The demand is expected to peak between 9 a.m. Wednesday and 9 a.m. Friday. Plant Operations is asking the Vanderbilt community to take small steps for...
Are you the greenest group on campus?
Dec. 23, 2014—Read the MyVU story here. VU Athletics, the Vanderbilt Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and Waste Management, Inc. are looking for the greenest group on campus during this year’s Basketball Athletics Sustainability competition. Your group could win a catered VIP hospitality event for 20 people, 20 tickets to the game, an autographed item from...
Vanderbilt Power Plant Now Coal Free
Dec. 17, 2014—Read the Vanderbilt News article here. At 12:30 a.m. on Nov. 19, the Vanderbilt co-generation power plant burned off its last lump of coal! The plant, which produces 23 percent of Vanderbilt’s electricity, 90 percent of its heat and 40 percent of its cooling, now runs exclusively on natural gas. The decommissioning of the plant’s last...
A dozen ways to go green for the holidays
Dec. 10, 2014—Read the Vanderbilt News story here. The average American household generates 25 percent more trash during the holiday season. (Need proof? Look at your neighborhood’s overflowing garbage cans on the first collection day after Christmas.) Between all that extra trash, thrown-out leftovers and the carbon footprint of holiday travel and entertaining, this time of year...
Power down before leaving for the holidays
Dec. 5, 2014—See the MyVU story here. Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff who are going to be away from their residence halls, offices, classrooms or homes for an extended period of time over the holidays should remember to shut off lights and appliances, unplug electronics, and lower thermostats before leaving. Doing so is a great way to...
New locations for glass recycling available on campus
Dec. 4, 2014—Read the MyVU article here. Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) has added six new glass recycling locations to main campus this semester, bringing the total to eight. In addition to existing glass recycling drop-off locations outside the Commons Center and on the Rand Hall loading dock, the VU community can now place glass...
America Recycles Day is November 15th
Nov. 14, 2014—November 15th is America Recycles Day! Celebrate by snapping a selfie while you recycle now until November 20th, then tag it with #RecyclingSelfie on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, or Instagram for a chance to receive a prize! Join us in pledging online to recycle more. Sign up with your Vanderbilt email address to pledge to: Learn-...
SPEAR named greenest group on campus
Nov. 13, 2014—Read the Vanderbilt News story here. The Vanderbilt student organization Students Promoting Environmental Awareness and Responsibility (SPEAR) has been named winner of the 2014 football sustainability competition and can boast the title “greenest group on campus.” The group celebrated its win with a VIP catered tailgate before the Nov. 8 home football game versus Florida...