Energy
Vanderbilt Green Fund solar installation combines student initiative, renewable energy technology
Sep. 23, 2011—An innovative solar energy installation now adorns a concrete silo at the Vanderbilt co-generation power plant. The unique, 8.16-kilowatt, student-initiated solar project – made possible by funding from the Vanderbilt Green Fund – incorporates renewable energy technologies while providing access to usable, real-time electricity generation data that will be available to the public online. Last...
Green screen film series explores environmental issues
Sep. 19, 2011—[Article originally published on InsideVandy.com] By Lauren Koenig Throughout the fall semester, the Alternative Energy Club (AEC) will be screening five documentaries on a variety of environmental topics as part of the Green Screen film series. While some of the movies focus on familiar environmental issues such as energy consumption, others present subject matter that...
A sustainable Vanderbilt
Sep. 5, 2011—by Lucas Loffredo [Article originally featured on InsideVandy] Sustainability is, as defined by Vanderbilt University’s Sustainability and Environmental Management Office (SEMO), “the development of a process or management system that helps to create a vibrant campus economy and high quality of life while respecting the need to sustain natural resources and protect the environment.” Opinions...
Sustainability speaker series kicks off Sept. 22 with Bill McKibben
Aug. 30, 2011—By Jim Patterson Environmentalist Bill McKibben will kick off a year of nationally recognized sustainability experts who will speak at Vanderbilt University as part of the American Studies Sustainability Project. McKibben, author of one of the first books on climate change for a general audience (The End of Nature, 1989), and founder of the activist...
Chancellor: University getting greener, needs to be less dependent on federal dollars
Aug. 26, 2011—by Jim Patterson Vanderbilt must continue to develop new revenue streams to ensure its financial health in the face of federal budget deficits that are likely to impact government grants and awards, said Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos at Fall Faculty Assembly. “We must, to the greatest extent possible, control our own destiny,” Zeppos said Aug....
Sustainability theme to mark Vanderbilt 2011-12 academic year
Aug. 12, 2011—By Jim Patterson Issues of sustainability will be incorporated into many phases of the coming academic year at Vanderbilt University, including curriculum, a speaker series, documentary film series and field trips. “The Sustainability Project represents a compelling application of the full diversity of Vanderbilt’s academic expertise to one of the most complex and urgent human...
Reduce pollution on Air Quality Alert days and everyday
Jul. 27, 2011—Throughout the hot summer days, air pollutant levels can rise contributing to reduced lung function, wheezing, coughing, and possibly triggering asthma attacks. One of the pollutants that is harmful to human health is ground-level ozone*. Ground-level ozone is created by chemical reactions between nitrous oxides and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight....
Heat advisory means time to conserve energy
Jul. 12, 2011—The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Middle Tennessee that will remain in effect this week. Increasing temperatures approaching 100 degrees combined with high levels of humidity are predicted to cause heat index readings to reach 105-120 degrees, conditions that may pose a direct threat to those who work or spend extended...
Incorporate sustainability into summer excursions
Jun. 23, 2011—As vacation season heats up, cars and planes rev up to meet the needs of eager travelers. By putting a little extra effort into the planning of your vacation, you can reduce the environmental impact of your trips with these handy and sustainable travel tips. Tourism’s Impact on the Environment Tourism takes a toll on...
Two Nashville juniors place third in national sustainability challenge
May. 26, 2011—By Missy Pankake, Vanderbilt News Service Two members of the School for Science and Math at Vanderbilt, Catherine Caffey and Emily Alsentzer, finished third out of 24 finalists in the Siemens We Can Change The World Challenge, a national sustainability challenge. They will each receive a $5,000 scholarship and the School for Science and Math...