Sustainability at Columbia University in the City of New York
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The dense urban blocks of New York City may not seem like the typical setting for cutting-edge environmental- ism, but Upper Manhattan has long been a global center for research on earth and environmental science and new, sustainable technologies. It is also at the forefront of implementing strategies to make the everyday life of our community and city “greener” and healthier.
Columbia University offers 24 degrees in envi- ronmental study and is home to 33 research centers on the environment—more than any other university in the United States. The term “global warming” was coined here more than 40 years ago. Research from Columbia faculty has a major impact on New York City: identifying environ- mental health concerns such as childhood asthma, which our Mailman School of Public Health is helping to address with an innovative prevention program for Upper Manhattan families; advis- ing policymakers on how climate change may affect the five boroughs; demonstrating the value of urban green spaces; working to safeguard the electric grid from blackouts; and supporting nutritious food options through greenmarkets.
The recently launched NYC Urban Technology Innovation Center, located at Columbia, will promote green building technologies in New York City. The Urban Design Lab, a collabora- tion between the University’s engineering and architecture schools, has helped local organiza- tions with environmental design, sustainable economic development and food sheds, and more. And Columbia’s long-term campus plan, Manhattanville, is being recognized for its clean construction practices, green buildings and sus- tainable, pedestrian-friendly urban design.
In recent years, we created a central Office of Environmental Stewardship to focus on imple- menting sustainability, and we have since under- taken several programs to incorporate environ- mental initiatives into University practices:
- Reducing greenhouse gases: In 2007, Columbia pledged to reduce emissions 30 percent at the Morningside campus in 10 years as part of Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s PlaNYC Challenge. The action plan includes strategies to reduce carbon emissions such as replacing old and inefficient equipment, implementing energy standards for labs, installing geother- mal and microturbine energy systems as well as installing LED lighting and energy-efficient central systems.
- Green buildings: Columbia requires its new buildings to meet a LEED Silver standard. Three renovated buildings have recently been certified LEED Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. The Manhattanville campus plan is also in the LEED for Neighborhood Development pilot program, which recognizes sustainable urban design. Nontraditional Employment for Women (NOW) trainees learn green salvage.
- Healthy, local food: Nearly 40 percent of University dining hall food comes from local farmers, and surplus food goes to food banks and homeless shelters. Faculty House event space features green menus and is the first LEED Gold dining facility in Manhattan.
- Greenmarkets: The twice-weekly Greenmarket on Broadway between 114th and 116th streets oper- ates year-round with produce from area farmers. The Medical Center campus last year kicked off a greenmarket serving Washington Heights.
- Purchasing: New appliances purchased for residence halls are Energy Star-rated, as are computers throughout the central administra- tion. Public Safety is replacing its fleet with hybrid cars. And nearly 100 bicycle racks have been added in recent years to the Morningside and Medical campuses.
- Columbia’s Morningside campus has several green or vegetated roofs and is the site of the city’s first green roof research station, which is studying technology with the potential to reduce “urban heat island” effect and prevent storm water from overburdening water treat- ment plants. The University is also building separate storm water piping for the new Manhattanville campus to ease the burden on the neighborhood’s North River Wastewater Treatment Plant.
It has taken many people across the University working together to advance the long-term com- mitment to meet its sustainability goals. From faculty-led research to a student-led community garden and staff implementing sustainable prac- tices on campus and at home, we work to improve the University’s efforts in our community.
Nilda Mesa, Columbia’s assistant vice president for environmental stewardship, is a Harlem resi- dent, a former White House environmental official, and an adjunct professor at Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs.
Focus On
Columbia has embraced the idea “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” and is adding to it a commitment to com- munity. The University has thousands of recycling bins for paper, metal and plastic, batteries, clothing, electronics and books, and recycles other items such as lab equipment. But perhaps even more important, we are sharing the benefits of reuse with its neighbors locally and globally. Through its Surplus Reuse Program, Columbia is giving new life to its used furniture, equipment and supplies. The program has saved nearly 500 tons of furniture and equipment from the landfill in the last three years, while helping local service organizations gain file cabinets, office furniture and school supplies. Kitchen equipment that could not be used on campus went to a cooking school in Honduras. Haiti received surplus beds and other furniture last year, as well as emergency eye kits from the Medical Center campus.
This approach has expanded to the new Manhattanville campus, where an innovative program saved 40 tons of surplus materials from a Columbia-owned building on West 125th Street while giving hands-on training in green deconstruction to 35 local minority women and men. “Every piece of material that can be reused or recycled is a piece that doesn’t have to be manufactured,” said Philip Pitruzzello, vice president for Manhattanville development. “That reduces pressure on landfills and cuts the carbon footprint of the project.”
To learn more, visit www.environment.columbia.edu.
—N.M.
Columbia University Sustainability Facts at a Glance
In the Classroom
- The term “global warming” was invented at Columbia by Wally Broecker
- Columbia offers 24 environmental degree-granting programs, more than any other university in the world
- Columbia has a sustainable development major
- Students studying Engineering, Architecture and Planning, Law, and International and Public Affairs design real-world sustainability solutions and advise local, national and international not-for-profits and government agencies such as the UN, the World Bank, the NYC Mayor’s Office, and the New York State energy office
- NYC’s first green roof research station is at Columbia
- About 70 members of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) – the scientists who shared the Nobel Peace Prize with
Al Gore -- are affiliated with Columbia - El Niño was discovered at Columbia
- Columbia’s research ship – the R/V Langseth – travels the world to measure ice melt in places like the Antarctic and Greenland
- Columbia has the world’s largest collection of earth core samples in the world, dating back millions of years, which are key to climate research
- The role of ocean currents in global climate change was discovered at Columbia
On Campus
- Columbia’s main campus has committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions 30% by 2017
- Columbia’s climate action plan is investing in major projects such as replacing chillers, lighting and maybe even installing a combined heat and power plant
- Columbia’s new buildings are all LEED
- Columbia’s new Manhattanville campus is the only proposed campus to date in the LEED for Neighborhood Development Pilot Program
- Columbia has been adding bike racks - you can find Morningside locations here
- Faculty House is the first conference and dining facilty in NYC to be certified LEED Gold - it is also the first McKim, Mead and White LEED Building. Faculty House serves a green menu
- EcoReps – the green RAs – are in the undergraduate residence halls
- All new appliances purchased are Energy Star
- Each Columbia campus exclusively uses Green Seal cleaning supplies
- Integrated pest management is practiced on campus grounds
- The main campus has a greenmarket twice a week, and the medical campus also has a greenmarket
- Dozens of student environmental groups work with University administrators on sustainability
- Housing has partnered with Adden Furniture to furnish dorms with durable, environmentally conscious furniture made from North American hardwood.
In the Dining Halls
- The main campus as well as the Lamont campus have composting pilot projects
- Columbia’s used cooking oil is taken away by members of a community job training program and turned into biodiesel
- Surplus food from dining and catering is donated to local food banks
- Nearly 40% of food purchased for undergraduate dining is locally sourced
- Seafood purchased follows the Monterey Bay guidelines
- All meals have vegan, vegetarian and organic options clearly labeled
- All food containers in the cafeterias are compostable
More is on the way!
Winter 2010 Update on the University’s Environmental Stewardship
As we move deeper into the spring semester, Columbia continues to expand our environmental stewardship efforts to enhance the long-term sustainability of the University, our local community, our city, and ultimately, our world.
Through the work of students, faculty and staff, this commitment to ongoing improvements in energy efficiency and environmental quality touches so many parts of the university’s campus operations and civic engagement. Here in Upper Manhattan, we have created a unique partnership that provides “green” construction skills training to local women and young adults while ensuring the recycling and reuse of building materials. Cutting-edge research by Columbia scientists and engineers is helping develop a smarter electrical grid, improve energy efficiency and make our local community more resilient to the impacts of climate change. And through many small changes, Columbia is making a big impact by offering locally sourced food through its dining services, expanding the space of its greenmarket, and employing more renewable energy sources. Recently, the University marked a milestone in its sustainability efforts by earning our first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification by the U.S. Green Building Council for the Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Laboratory, part of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.
As always, we hope that you will join the University’s continued commitment to achieving sustainability in your daily lives. Please share your ideas for helping our efforts with the contacts listed at the end of this newsletter.
Robert Kasdin
Senior Executive Vice President
Comer Lab Is First Columbia Building to Achieve LEED Certification
In January, the award-winning Gary C. Comer Geochemistry Laboratory became the University’s first LEED-certified building, earning a “silver” rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. Completed in late 2007, the 70,000 square-foot building, part of the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, houses extensive lab space directly supporting research and development to advance the understanding of climate science.
The building’s certification verifies that the lab was designed and constructed to increase energy savings and water efficiency, reduce emissions, improve indoor environmental quality and enhance the building’s overall stewardship of resources. Key features include the maximization of natural lighting and the use of trees to shade the building in the summer, and permeable pavement in the parking area to reduce the flow of contaminants into waterways.
The building’s application was filed in October 2009. Three other Columbia buildings are currently awaiting LEED certification: Faculty House, Knox Hall and McVickar Hall, home of the new Columbia Alumni Center. Other Columbia buildings registered in the LEED program include the Northwest Corner Building and the Campbell Sports Center.
The Comer building was named the 2009 “Lab of the Year” by Research and Development magazine and has been featured in USA Today and the Chronicle of Higher Education for its unique design and energy efficiency. The building also won sustainable design and excellence in architecture awards from the Environmental Protection Agency and the American Institute of Architects.
Columbia University Medical Center Launches Campus Energy Audit, Hires New Energy Manager
Next month, Columbia University Medical Center staff and external experts will begin a thorough review of the Washington Heights campus to identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency and provide the basis for a new campus energy plan. The evaluation will assess the medical center’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems; lighting systems; fume hoods; and steam distribution systems; as well as its operations, maintenance and purchasing strategies. The plan will develop milestones for achieving energy goals and reducing the medical center’s carbon footprint.
Leading this initiative is the medical center’s new campus energy manager, Rachel Futrell, who comes to Columbia after two and half years with the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). While at NYSERDA, Futrell worked on the execution of energy master plans for the Empire State Building and New York City’s hospitals. She is a certified energy manager and an accredited LEED professional.
New Guidelines Help Labs Meet Energy Efficiency Standards
Energy efficiency standards are now mandated for all new lab construction and fume hoods as part of the University’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2017 under Mayor
Pilot Programs Promote Energy Conservation
Three innovative pilot programs conducted by Columbia University Facilities are testing various ways of improving energy efficiency across campus using microturbines, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and energy-tracking Web interfaces called “dashboards.”
Microturbines are low-emission electric power generators that also create waste heat that is used to preheat domestic hot water. Two 65-kilowatt microturbines have been installed, one at 600 W. 113th St. and a second at 542 W. 112th St. The use of these microturbines will decrease electricity demand by providing up to 50 percent of the energy needs for these University buildings. The waste heat will be used for domestic hot water and space heating, as well as for cooling through absorption chillers. If successful, the energy savings from the microturbines is expected to recoup their cost in four and a half years.
At the School of International and Public Affairs, LED lights have been installed in various locations as part of an evaluation of the lights’ effectiveness. LEDs last longer and use less energy than fluorescent bulbs. Based on feedback from students, faculty and staff, University Facilities is evaluating other possible locations for replacing fluorescent bulbs.
At the School of Social Work, Facilities is testing the use of dashboards, a Web interface used to view and track a building’s heat and electricity use on an hour-by-hour basis, providing data needed to design strategies for reducing consumption. This will also help the University meet the city’s new standards for benchmarking building energy use. If successful, the dashboards will be expanded to include all buildings and utilities, including steam, chilled water, electricity and water.
First “Clean, Give + Go Green” Event Collects Tons of Reusable Material for Community Organizations
For two below-freezing days in December, Columbia staff standing along College Walk and at other convenient locations collected nearly five and a half tons of clothing, canned goods, toiletries, books and computer equipment during the first-ever Clean, Give + Go Green, a recycling and donation drive. The event was organized by Facilities and
Clean, Give + Go Green brought together two Columbia recycling and donation drives, joining students and staff in a combined effort to bring awareness of sustainability on campus. Give and Go Green, run by the student Eco-Reps with University administration, gives students a chance to donate items at the end of the semester during move-out. Clean and Go Green is held every summer for staff members who are cleaning out their offices. For more information about these recycling and donation drives, visit the Office of Environmental Stewardship website.
“Green” Local Dining Available at Faculty House and Across the University
The newly renovated Faculty House, which is seeking LEED certification for its green construction and operation, now offers “green” catering menus for groups that want to serve only local, organic food. Both catered events and the Market Café use china dishes rather than disposable plates, and take-out food is served in Greenware biodegradable products. Like Faculty House, Columbia University Events Management works with clients to customize its catering menus with green and locally grown organic foods, and offers biodegradable or reusable dining ware.
Columbia University Dining spends 38 percent of its annual food budget on local items, including purchases directly from vendors at the twice-weekly Greenmarket on Broadway near campus. In addition, all seafood is purchased in accordance with sustainability guidelines, and coffee is locally roasted, fair trade and organic. A discount is offered to customers who bring a reusable mug. And all waste cooking oil at Columbia kitchens is collected by the Doe Fund, a local job-training nonprofit, to be converted into biodiesel. Read more about Columbia Dining’s green initiatives on their website.
Broadway Greenmarket Expands Offerings
Hudson Valley duck, Long Island lavender and Finger Lakes grapes are just a few new local offerings now available each week throughout the winter, thanks to an expansion of the Columbia Greenmarket. Located on Broadway between 114th and 115th Streets in front of Lerner Hall, the six-year-old market “has been very successful for the whole community—those who live and work in the area as well as students,” said Margaret Hoffman, the market’s regional coordinator. The success of the market has led to about 50 additional feet of space for its 18 vendors who sell their goods every Thursday and Sunday. New York City granted permission to increase market activity on Broadway, and Community Board 9 endorsed the proposal. Columbia’s role as “a supportive partner” of the greenmarket has been critical to its success, Hoffman said. Later this year the Medical Center campus will welcome its own greenmarket.
GreenBorough House Inspires Campus Reality TV Show
Columbia GreenBorough, a new Special Interest Community for students who want to pursue eco-friendly living, will be the subject of a reality TV show airing this spring on the student-run CTV (Columbia University Television). The program documents green living, following the students of GreenBorough as they hold regular house meetings and organize environmental initiatives on campus, including Green Your Room, a contest in which a student on campus wins the chance to have his or her room receive a free “green” makeover.
GreenBorough, located on West 114th Street, is home to 13 undergraduates dedicated to developing creative and practical ways to reduce their impact on the environment and increase campus awareness of environmental issues. This is the first year for the GreenBorough house, which co-founder Brenden Cline (CC’11) describes as “a community committed to extending the frontiers of sustainable living on campus.” Some of their sustainable initiatives include composting, using drying racks to cut energy use and decreasing shower timers to conserve water.
This semester also marks the third year of Columbia’s Energy Challenge competition for students living in undergraduate residence halls. Starting Sunday, Feb. 21, students will compete to see which hall can achieve the highest reduction in energy consumption. The effort is sponsored by EcoReps, the Center for Research in Environmental Decisions, Facilities, CUIT, Housing and Environmental Stewardship.
Salvage Project Trains Local Workers, Creating “Green” Job Opportunities
Columbia hosted a pilot of a unique green salvage and job-training program this summer, in which about 40 women and men from two local programs, under the guidance of the Institution Recycling Network, carefully deconstructed interior sections of Reality House, a Columbia-owned former industrial building on West 125th Street. Approximately 40 tons of surplus materials―office and classroom
Professor Leads Study of Energy Use in Columbia Dorms
Knowing how much electricity your friends are using may make you more likely to save energy, according to a new study by civil engineering professor John Taylor, who examined the impact of real-time energy monitoring on students living in a Columbia dorm.
For three weeks, Taylor followed the energy use of undergraduates in Watt Hall at 549 W. 113th St. Some could see their energy use on a chart and some could not. Not surprisingly, students who saw their own usage saved more energy than those who did not. But one group of students could see not only their own use, but also that of friends. “Individuals who could see the energy consumption of their friends were the most consistent in their energy conservation behavior,” said Taylor. “This is very important because it shows how buildings that implement monitoring systems can both improve and more accurately predict the impact on building energy savings.”
But caution is in order, too. Taylor and his colleagues are now conducting another year-long study to investigate a decline that took place in residents’ energy-saving behavior at the end of
NSF Grant Supports Columbia-Led Research on Collaborative Efforts to Achieve New York City’s “Green” Initiatives
The National Science Foundation, along with the U.S. Forest Service, has awarded an Urban Long-Term Research Area Exploratory (ULTRA-Ex) grant to Columbia researchers to increase the understanding of the relationship between urban residents and the natural environment, as well as directly inform the management of natural resources in New York City. The researchers hope their project will facilitate further involvement in local environmental stewardship by explaining the effects of re-greening initiatives and municipally led sustainability campaigns such as MillionTreesNYC.
The principle investigator of this ULTRA-Ex grant-funded project is Dana R. Fisher, associate professor of sociology, and the co-principal investigator is Christopher Small, senior research scientist at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory. Outside participants contributing to the project include the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation,
Columbia Scientists Devise Strategy for New York City’s Resilience to Climate Change Impacts
Climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts are both important elements in PlaNYC, New York City’s long-term sustainability plan, established in 2007 by Mayor
Columbia Research Supports Federally Funded “Smart Grid” Energy Project
In November, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded ConEdison $45 million for its Secure Interoperable Open
How You Can Help: Limit Your Energy Use This Winter
With a few more weeks of chilly weather still ahead, here’s a reminder of a few simple things we can all do to help cut greenhouse gas emissions before leaving our living spaces or offices each day, especially before weekends:
- Close and lock all windows and doors, and close blinds and curtains. Be sure to close all windows, including those that are in spaces not normally occupied. It is in these “forgotten” rooms that, in addition to wasting energy, an open window can result in a frozen or split pipe.
- Turn off lights in offices or any shared areas such as conference rooms, break rooms, restrooms and classrooms.
- Leave all radiator valves and fan coils turned on to ensure adequate heating and to avoid freeze damage. Fan coils should be set to the slowest speed setting.
- Clear clothing or
furniture away from heaters to avoid inadequate heating that may cause freeze-ups and damage. - Shut down and unplug appliances such as computers, printers, faxes, copiers, space heaters and coffeemakers.
- Make sure all faucets are off.
- Close fume hoods when not in use and shut down nonessential lab equipment.
- Report problems such as leaks, heating/cooling issues or opened windows or doors that cannot be closed to the Facilities Services Center at (212) 854-2222 on the Morningside Heights campus. On the CUMC campus, call (212) 305-HELP (3457). Similar problems on the Lamont-Doherty campus can be called in to Building and Grounds at (845) 365-8600.
These simple energy saving steps will not only reduce the University’s utility costs, they will also help us reduce our carbon footprint.
Don’t Forget to Share Your News and Ideas
Expand your own efforts to help Columbia become more sustainable. Please e-mail Nilda Mesa, assistant vice president of Environmental Stewardship, with your ideas at mailto:environment@columbia.edu blocked::mailto:environment@columbia.edu" href="mailto:environment@columbia.edu">environment@columbia.edu.
And share news updates about what you and your office are doing to support a sustainable Columbia to Clare Oh in
For more information about sustainability research at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science included in this newsletter, contact Margaret Kelly, director of internal communications, at mk321@columbia.edu.
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