News
Chef James Bistro receives LEED-CI Certification and design awards
Oct. 27, 2009—The Chef James Bistro, a 2,000-square-foot student dining facility located within Rand Hall, has received certification by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Commercial Interiors (CI) program of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). In order to receive LEED-CI certification, the design team incorporated several sustainable and environmentally-friendly elements including the specification of...
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...
The Commons wins state Environmental Stewardship Award for Green Buildings
May. 21, 2009—Vanderbilt University’s campus area The Commons recently received the 2009 Governor’s Environmental Stewardship Award for the “Building Green” category. Vanderbilt University was one of 14 winners announced by Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Commissioner Jim Fyke. “These award winners truly have taken environmental stewardship to a new and innovative level, setting an example for...
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...
How will Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint be calculated?
Apr. 4, 2009—[Originally published 4/2/2009 on myVU] Several weeks ago, Vanderbilt announced its plans to calculate the university’s carbon footprint. The inventory will determine the amount of the six greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere that make up Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint in an average year. This article is the fourth in a series discussing Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint....
Calculating the Carbon Footprint
Mar. 27, 2009—[Originally published by Vanderbilt Student Communications on March 27, 2009] Vanderbilt University plans to make a green statement on Earth Day when officials announce the carbon footprint. The university is following the example set by Nashville, which released its greenhouse emissions data in February. The announcement by the city is a part of a two-year...
What is Climate Change and Why Should I Care About It?
Mar. 18, 2009—Posted 3/18/2009 Several weeks ago, Vanderbilt announced its plans to calculate the university’s carbon footprint. The inventory will determine the amount of the six greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere that make up Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint in an average year. This article is the third in a series discussing Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint. But how exactly...
Three Commons Houses Receive LEED-Gold Certification
Mar. 16, 2009—NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt University continues to go for the gold with its latest LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification of three new residence halls. This brings the total to seven LEED-certified buildings at The Commons, the university’s new campus for first-year students. A project team of Nashville-based building, design and construction...
So what is a carbon footprint and why is Vanderbilt calculating one?
Mar. 6, 2009—On February 23, Vanderbilt announced that a carbon footprint, or greenhouse gas inventory, would be created for the first time. This article is the first in a series discussing Vanderbilt’s carbon footprint. The terms “carbon footprint” and “greenhouse gas” are used a lot in the news and on TV, but what do they really mean?...
VU to calculate carbon footprint
Feb. 20, 2009—Vanderbilt plans to calculate its carbon footprint this spring through a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. The inventory will determine the amount of the six greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere in an average year, based on 2005-2007 data. These greenhouse gases are: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur hexafluoride. Greenhouse gases trap...
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....