News
State of the Climate in 2012 Report Released
Aug. 8, 2013—The American Meteorological Society (AMS) released their State of the Climate in 2012 report earlier this month. The peer-reviewed report uses climate indicators to track and identify changes and overall trends to the global climate system. Some indicators include greenhouse gas concentrations, cloud cover, sea surface temperature, sea-level rise, and snow cover. Scientists from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA)’s...
Happy Anniversary to the SustainVU Newsletter!
Aug. 1, 2013—Happy Anniversary to the SustainVU newsletter! In this month’s issue, we are celebrating the 5th anniversary of the SustainVU newsletter! We had a few early attempts in 2007/2008 but began our monthly newsletter in this format 5 academic years ago! What a great 5 years it has been! We hope you have enjoyed it as...
Grad student wins first place in DOE fuel cycle research competition
Jul. 18, 2013—[Originally posted by VUSE News] Lyndsey Morgan Fyffe, a doctoral student in environmental engineering, has been awarded a first place prize in the U.S. Department of Energy’s Innovations in Fuel Cycle Research Awards competition. Fyffe’s award is in the category of energy policy, and her award-winning research paper, “Developing Operational Safety Performance Measures for Nuclear...
MTA offers special Music City Star train tickets to Wilson County Fair August 17-24
Jul. 16, 2013—[Originally published by Music City Star News] The Music City Star will provide train service to the Wilson County Fair on Saturday, August 17th and Saturday, August 24th. An allotment of 400 tickets will be available to the general public for each day. Cost is $20 for ages 13 and older, $15 for ages 6-12,...
Krahn receives U.S. academy’s environmental engineering certification
Jul. 15, 2013—[Originally published by VUSE Alumni News] Steven L. Krahn, professor of the practice of nuclear environmental engineering, has been accepted by eminence into the the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists as a Board Certified Environmental Engineering Member in the specialty practice of hazardous waste management. Krahn performs research in the technologies associated with...
July SustainVU Newsletter Now Available
Jul. 3, 2013—Check out what’s going on this month in the July SustainVU newsletter! In this month’s issue, check out tips to conserve energy at work during the hot summer months and read about President Obama’s speech regarding his plan to address climate change.The Vanderbilt Farmer’s Market is in full swing with lots of yummy fruits, veggies, breads, cheeses and...
As the weather gets hot, practice these tips to conserve energy
Jun. 17, 2013—[Originally posted by MyVU] Temperatures across the South are climbing into the 90s for the first time this summer. As one of the largest energy consumers in Middle Tennessee, Vanderbilt faculty, staff and students are encouraged to do their part to reduce energy consumption on campus and at the medical center. Slight modifications to energy...
Yeu-Matchuc observes World Environment Day with Vanderbilt performance
Jun. 6, 2013—[Originally posted by Vanderbilt News] Indigenous Yoreme dancers from Sinaloa, Mexico, constructed a ceremonial hut on Library Lawn and performed songs and dances in a sacred ceremony to mark World Environment Day June 5. About 100 people enjoyed the colorful lunchtime performance by Yeu-Matchuc. Through the ancient deer dance, the performers transform into deer to...
Eat Green Tennessee event promotes table-to-farm support
May. 30, 2013—[Originally posted by The Tennessean] As the weather heats up for summer, we’re headed toward peak season for fresh vegetables and fruits in Middle Tennessee. We can help make sure those veggies keep coming by supporting local farmers with Community Supported Agriculture programs and by buying from growers at local farmers markets to make dishes...
May 17 is National Bike to Work Day
May. 15, 2013—Celebrate Bike to Work Day on Friday, May 17. Amenities for bikers on campus include shower areas and bike racks. In addition to being a healthy and cost-effective mode of transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that biking one mile saves almost one pound of greenhouse gas from being produced. By biking to work,...
Commencement strawberries donated to Nashville Zoo
May. 14, 2013—The Vanderbilt Chancellor’s Office donated leftover strawberries from the 2013 Strawberries and Champagne Commencement event for the first time to the Nashville Zoo. Staff from the Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) organized the donation and delivered the strawberries to the zoo after Commencement events concluded. The Zoo’s elephants and lemurs enjoyed the strawberries at...
Clean Air Week events informed, entertained
May. 7, 2013—[Originally posted by MyVU] Vanderbilt’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and the Clean Air Partnership of Middle Tennessee hosted a Clean Air Week scavenger hunt near Vanderbilt’s Central Library on May 1. This and other activities were held to celebrate Air Quality Awareness Week April 29–May 3. At the events, Vanderbilt employees and students...
VANTAGE Lab’s Gold LEED certification is 14th Certified Project at Vanderbilt
Apr. 29, 2013—The Vanderbilt Technologies for Advanced Genomics (VANTAGE) laboratory, located in the basement of Medical Center North, recently achieved LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the14th certified project and the first laboratory renovation to achieve LEED certification at Vanderbilt. Designed by Donald Blair Architects from...
Don’t Toss it!—Vanderbilt’s Earth Friendly Move Out Tips
Apr. 29, 2013—With the hustle and bustle of finishing up the semester, moving out can be a hectic process of trying to fit a year’s worth of stuff into cars, suitcases, and storage. For all the stuff that doesn’t fit, Vanderbilt’s Earth Friendly Move Out provides opportunities to keep a large volume of material out of the...
Science and math students take green campus tour
Apr. 29, 2013—[Originally published by MyVU] On April 8, first-year students in the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt (SSMV) participated in the annual “Earth, Wind and Fire” tour to learn about energy production and the sustainable features of Vanderbilt’s campus. The Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO) and Plant Operations act as hosts each year....