News
More companies reporting profitability from environmentally friendly practices
Feb. 21, 2013—Originally published by CGMA Magazine. For years, companies have wrestled with the question of whether environmentally friendly business practices created enough financial value to justify investing in them. Those questions remain for many organisations as a fragile world economy demands prudent stewardship of company currency. But a new report indicates that companies increasingly are discovering...
Vanderbilt researchers, students part of inaugural SEC symposium on renewable energy
Feb. 14, 2013—Two Vanderbilt professors were chosen among energy experts from the Southeastern Conference’s 14 universities, industry and government to address renewable energy topics at the inaugural SEC Symposium, “Impact of the Southeast in the World’s Renewable Energy Future” in Atlanta Feb. 10-12. Vanderbilt’s Aerospace Club represented the university in the SEC showcase. The first-ever symposium is...
Vanderbilt Sustainability Competition: Are You the Greenest Group on Campus?
Feb. 11, 2013—Vanderbilt Sustainability Competition Be the Greenest Group on Campus Presented by Waste Management All groups, teams, departments and campus organizations are invited to compete to be the greenest group on campus. To enter, a group captain, leader or representative must complete the competition survey. Deadline for entry is Feb. 20, 2013 Entries can be submitted...
VU professor discusses nanotechonology and its application within the fields of medicine and energy
Feb. 11, 2013—Rizia Bardhan, one of Vanderbilt’s newest assistant professors and one of Forbes’ “30 Under 30 in Science & Innovation” recently spoke with CNN about her work in nanotechnology and its applications within the fields of medicine and energy. The plasmonic nanostructures that Bardhan is researching have many applications, including use with solar cells. Using nanotechnology, the...
Meet the VU undergraduate who just might save the environment
Feb. 7, 2013—When it comes to describing Vanderbilt students, the term “over-achiever” is often used. But one Vanderbilt sophomore is inventing new ways to clean the air and rescue the environment, and is receiving national recognition in the process. Param Jaggi is an environmental science and economics major in the College of Arts and Science. While still...
Vanderbilt scores big in game day recycling challenge
Feb. 1, 2013—The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the results of the 2012 Game Day Recycling Challenge, and Vanderbilt University scored big. Game Day challenge is a voluntary recycling competition among U.S. colleges and universities with the goal of reducing waste generated at college football games and increasing participation in and awareness of recycling. For...
Winds offer students good view of turbine action
Dec. 21, 2012—[Originally posted by Vanderbilt School of Engineering] Students from the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt trekked about three miles from campus to the School of Engineering’s wind-solar alternative energy site to see a wind turbine in action atop Love Circle hill in Nashville. “The turbine was in full swing, catching strong late October...
Remember to power down before leaving for the holidays
Dec. 12, 2012—[Originally posted by MyVU] Vanderbilt students, faculty and staff who are going to be away from the dorm room, office or home for an extended period of time over the holidays should remember to power down before they leave. Doing so is a great way to reduce one’s energy consumption and environmental impact. Students: Turn...
Regional Transportation Authority and VanStar add bus and van service direct to Vanderbilt from Williamson County park-and-ride
Dec. 7, 2012—[Originally posted by MyVUMC] The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has started direct-to-Vanderbilt bus service from park and ride lots in Franklin and Brentwood, the first time that Vanderbilt commuters have not been required to pass through downtown Nashville before arriving at work in the morning or returning home in the evening. The bus (designated 91X)...
Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology named ‘Greenest Group on Campus’
Nov. 28, 2012—Vanderbilt’s Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology was the winner of the first Vanderbilt Athletics’ Sustainability Competition. The group celebrated their honor as the “Greenest Group on Campus” with a VIP tailgate, complimentary football tickets and on-field recognition at the Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee football game Nov. 17. Sam Santoro, chair of pathology, microbiology and immunology...
Stave off holiday excess by ‘greening the holidays’ this season
Nov. 15, 2012—The holiday season is traditionally a time of plenty, but it also can be a time of excess. The average American household generates 25 percent more trash during this time of year – including, in some cases, those freezer-burnt holiday leftovers nobody got around to eating. Add in all the energy use from extra travel...
Zipcar provides transportation alternative on campus; get $40 credit
Nov. 7, 2012—[Originally posted by MyVU] Need to pick up office supplies or go to a meeting? With Zipcar, you can carpool or bike to work and still have wheels when you need them during the workday. Zipcar is a car-sharing service with vehicles on and off Vanderbilt’s campus that allows you to reserve cars by the...
This Halloween, slay energy vampires
Oct. 29, 2012—[Originally posted on MyVU] A silent menace may be lurking around your Vanderbilt office or home. “Energy vampires,” electronic devices that slowly suck energy when they are turned off but still plugged in, provide no useful function and waste energy and money. This is especially true for devices with standby capability—such as a remote control...
Greenhouse gas emissions down 12 percent since 2008
Oct. 25, 2012—Vanderbilt releases updated report to mark Campus Sustainability Day Overall greenhouse gas emissions from Vanderbilt’s campus and medical center have decreased by 12 percent from an all-time high reached in 2008—and by 7 percent from 2005 to 2011—even though the institution has seen significant growth in square footage, staff, students and research dollars over the...
Vanderbilt doubles on-campus electric vehicle charging capacity
Oct. 23, 2012—[Originally published by Liz Entman, Vanderbilt News] Vanderbilt’s solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging station at the corner of 21st Avenue South and Broadway is up and operating. The Smart Modal Area Recharge Terminal, or SMART station, can accommodate 10 vehicles and joins five other stations scattered across the university campus and medical center, bringing the...