Sustainability at Seattle Pacific University

Finding S.P.A.C.E. on Campus

2011-11-07T16:07:00.000-08:00

Sharing my knowledge of the on-campus club SPACE (Seattle Pacific Agriculture for the Community and Environment) usually comes with blank stares or "Garden club? We have a community garden?" Yes! In fact, I would highly encourage checking it out firsthand. You'll be happily welcomed by fresh fruits, vegetables and perhaps a couple weeds here and there.

Tucked away off of 4th Ave and W Dravus, you'll find the beautiful gem that is SPU's organic community garden. S.P.A.C.E. is in its third year of cultivating the community through organic urban-gardening. Whether you are a student, faculty member or person of the community, SPACE welcomes you with open arms to be apart of their mission in providing fresh organically grown produce to the community.

Although the clubs first cover crop planting already passed, there are still many opportunities to join S.P.A.C.E. this year. Be on the lookout for future harvests, plantings and their annual winter screening event. Past screening events have included a collaboration with community members in order for students to observe and discuss issues of food practices in America.

For further information about S.P.A.C.E., the community garden and upcoming events please contact Co-Presidents Rachael Nelson-Knecht (nelsor3@spu.edu) or Brittany Raab (raab13@spu.edu). Any input for the club is always opening welcomed as well. S.P.A.C.E. is always searching for new ideas on events and service projects!

Renewal: Day of Prayer

2011-11-01T11:53:00.000-07:00

Renewal is having their Day of Prayer event November 9th and you're invited to join! This year the Day of Prayer will be focused around water-related issues. This is a great opportunity for students to come together to discuss and pray on water-related issues in our own community here in Seattle. With water being so prevalent in our area, pollution into our waterways and streams is a continual problem that needs to be addressed.

One third of Washington's waters are too polluted to meet state water quality standards. When water runs off of surfaces such as roofs, pavements and highways it can collect many contaminants (fertilizer, oil, animal waste, soil, and trash) that will go untreated directly into our local waterways. About 60% of contaminants come from these sources. With the help of the community and the Department of Ecology, together we can ensure a higher quality and care for our water.

Tip of the Week: Recycling

2011-10-25T10:56:00.000-07:00

You use it when you barbecue, cover your jars with it and wrap your leftovers in it. Aluminum foil is a great product that can accomplish various tasks. It also can go in your recycling! Be sure to rinse your foil and flatten it before disposing it into your recycling bin. Employees who sort our city's recycling are trained to throw away crumpled up foil, assuming it may contain food or other materials in it.

Creation Care Video Contest

2011-10-20T12:51:00.000-07:00

Renewal and other christian organizations are co-sponsoring the Creation Care Video Contest this year. You and your friends (ages 18-25) have the opportunity to create a video (30 seconds to 3 minutes) that conveys the creation care message. The videos have to be submitted by December 10th on YouTube.

For more information you can go to the creation care video contest website.

SPU Composting Program

2011-10-06T14:26:00.001-07:00

Exciting things are happening on campus! This year SPU has incorporated a pilot composting program for students living in campus apartments. At the beginning of this quarter, each apartment was granted a their own personal compost bin along with a sample of compostable bags. The individual bins can be emptied into a larger food/yard waste collection bin next to each building's exterior garbage and recycle bins. This composting program is a significant step in SPU's continual commitment to waste reduction and supporting a sustainable campus. Last year's waste audit was a reflection of the amount of materials that campus apartment residents will be able to divert from the landfill by properly recycling and composting.

Incorporating composting into your daily routine is a simple task once you get the hang of it, and small contributions to your bin can make a huge impact for the community. Seattle Public Utilities reported that in 2009, out of 151,000 tons of commercially disposed waste, 64,000 tons (42%) were organics including food and compostable paper. Composting is a great first step in significantly decreasing your waste output. Seattle's waste is currently transported by a train (100 cars in length and two units high) to a landfill 300 miles away in Arlington, Oregon. Cedar Grove Composting, located in Everett, provides a sustainable alternative source for the majority of our local waste, keeping more money in our local economy and lowering our transportation footprint.

If you are unfamiliar with local composting practices, there are some great resources available. Check out the Seattle Public Utilities site for more information on what is allowed in your compost bins. Also, below is a video provided by Cedar Grove Composting on their Everett processing plant. This composting plant is currently the largest of its kind in the world.

Green Tips for a Cost Savings Autumn

2011-10-04T13:50:00.000-07:00

As classes start up this fall, it may become a little more challenging trying to stay green while attempting to remember once again what homework was assigned (or that you have to assign) during the week. Never fear! Whether you live in a residence hall or off-campus, here are a few simple tips that will allow you to use sustainable resources, save costs and still have time to finish your homework this quarter.

Use power strips

As the weather slowly starts to become cooler, both electrical consumption and city electrical rates are going to increase gradually. Power strips are a great way to cut costs and reduce your electrical output consumed by "energy vampires" (e.g., cell phone chargers and DVR's) that are hiding around your residence hall or house. Basic 6-outlet power strips can be bought online and in stores in a price range of $5 to $10.

Efficiently using water
Three easy solutions in water efficiency are:

1. Shortening showers and using less hot water will help you see decreases in both your water and heating (or electrical) payments. For example, wash your clothes using cold water or if necessary a hot/cold combination for more soiled items.
2. When running a dishwasher or washing machine, always make sure that you're running a full load in order to avoid wasting water. Make use of the available water saver feature on your appliances instead of setting loads on high.
3. Remembering to turn off the water in between brushing your teeth and washing the dishes is always a good habit!

Biking or busing around
Don't let the rainy season bring you down! Try motivating yourself this fall to use sustainable modes of transportation such as riding the bus or biking around town. If you have your bike on campus or at your home, don't be afraid to bring it out a couple times a week and feel the fresh crisp autumn air. In addition, bus passes are provided to students on-campus for check out in exchange for their campus ID. Students can pay a $2 fee for a 24-hour bus pass or have the option of a free 5-hour bus pass.

Reusable water bottles
Seattle has been reported to have some of the highest quality tap water available in the country. Having a reusable water bottle will help you utilize this excellent resource that's provided in your very own faucet! Not only will you save costs on buying bottles at the local store but you will also enjoy the satisfying feeling of using less plastic bottles and decreasing your environmental footprint.

Learning to turn down the thermostat
Instead of cranking up the thermostat this year, try the power of bundling up! Extra blankets at night and wearing another layer around the house are great alternatives to raising the temperature on your thermostat. If you use a fireplace, turning down your thermostat while it's in use is yet another sustainable solution to cutting costs.

Sealing your home
Air leaks can become a tremendous nuisance around your house when trying to save money. Adding new caulking to the bottom of your windows and applying door sweeps are easy ways to increase insulation in your home. Door sweeps can be found online and at your local hardware store in a price range of $3 to $14.

Newly constructed buildings are less likely to be prone to air leaks. However, there are still a couple ways to increase insulation in your room. Keeping your blinds closed, especially when sleeping at night, will help maintain heat. You can also hang an extra blanket over your windows, providing extra insulation in order to reduce heat from escaping your room.

What Are We Throwing Away?

2011-06-09T11:00:00.000-07:00

Over the past few weeks, the sustainability staff has carried out a waste audit to determine how much of the waste from campus apartments could in the future be diverted away from landfills. While rifling through garbage wasn't exactly pleasant, the results found were pretty staggering: over the course of the audit, a full 80% of waste from campus apartments was material that could either be recycled or composted. That means only 20% of the garbage was actually waste!

The data from the audit will be used to better inform SPU's waste policies and encourage the promotion of composting options in campus apartments. The University is planning on establishing a composting program for campus apartments in the fall.

Besides the percentages, there were two interesting themes found throughout the audit. One was the presence of plastic. Plastic was by far the most common form of waste. Wrappers, packaging, toys - you name it, it was made from plastic. Plastic poses a threat to the environment because it is being used more and more and often for single-use purposes. Since plastics are not biodegradeable, they stick around in the environment for a really long time, and tend to end up where they are not wanted (see a previous post about plastic in the oceans).

The other recurring item found during the waste audit was food. The waste audit found a large amount of uneaten food items that had been tossed out. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that the United States spends 1 billion dollars a year just to dispose of food waste, and that food waste makes up the largest component of our waste stream by weight. What was interesting about the food waste found during the waste audit was that oftentimes it was not food scraps but rather uneaten or unused food items that had gone bad or were no longer wanted.

The waste audit revealed many ways we can be better stewards in managing our waste, both from a policy perspective and on an individual basis. Instituting composting programs will help reduce waste expenditure and divert material for better use. Individual practices like cutting down on the use of plastics and sharing and conserving food instead of throwing it out can also have a huge impact. Together we can take a big step towards living more sustainably.

Professor Thorpe featured in Sojourners magazine

2011-05-19T10:16:00.000-07:00

An article by Seattle Pacific University English professor Dr. Doug Thorpe appeared in last month's issue of Sojourners magazine. Dr. Thorpe's article, "Living Waters", reflects on his recent visit to Israel/Palestine with Earth Ministry, a local environmental stewardship organization.

In his article, Dr. Thorpe looks at the importance of water in the region, both as religious symbol and source of political conflict. Dr. Thorpe examines the Christian concept of a "living water" and the implications it has on the region's current situation.

You can read Dr. Thorpe's article here. For more information about Dr. Thorpe's work, see his faculty page on the SPU website.

Earth Day Recap

2011-04-26T14:50:00.001-07:00

credit: DiscoverySchool.com

With all of the Easter celebrations happening over the past weekend, it was easy to forget about another important event - Earth Day. This year, Earth Day, which is celebrated annually on April 22, coincided with Good Friday. But don't worry! For all of those whose Easter festivities overshadowed their usual Earth Day celebrations, here is a belated Earth Day post just for you.

The inaugural Earth Day event happened in 1970, and involved over 20 million Americans nationwide speaking out for a sustainable environment. The event helped move environmental issues to the forefront of the political agenda and paved the way for the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency and the series of Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. Since then, Earth Day has become a worldwide event, involving hundreds of millions of people in lifting environmental issues to the world stage.

41 years later, Earth Day is bigger than ever, with an estimated 1 billion people participating in 180 countries. Numerous events took place here in Seattle, including park cleanups, concerts, and a prayer vigil for climate action and protection.

In the wake of Earth Day 2011, it is important to remember that living sustainably means more than being "green" for a day. Earth Day is a great opportunity to reflect on the way we live our lives the other 364 days of the year.

If you had to skip your favorite Earth Day event this year, here are some interesting ways you can participate in a more lasting way:

Miir Bottles is inviting people to participate in their pledge to give up bottled water for a year. Americans throw away 123 single-use plastic water bottles per person every year. Many of these end up in our oceans, contributing to major global marine pollution problems.

Kiva, the online microfinance organization which gives small loans to entrepreneurs in developing countries, recently introduced Kiva Green Loans, an opportunity to provide small loans to promote clean and renewable energy.

Most importantly, find ways to care for the environment in everyday life. Recycle. Compost. Leave the car at home. Every little bit makes a difference.

So happy (belated) Earth Day! May we continue to be environmentally conscious throughout the year and commit to living more sustainably.

The Social Impact of the Duwamish Superfund Site

2011-04-14T13:43:00.000-07:00

Last summer this blog covered the ecological issues facing the Duwamish River. A few weeks ago, an article was published in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and InvestigateWest detailing the social aspect of the environmental problems of the Duwamish and how the pollution and degradation is affecting the surrounding communities of Georgetown, South Park, and Beacon Hill.

The social effects of living near the Duwamish Superfund site have previously not been paid close attention. As the article points out:

While there’s been exhaustive analysis of the environmental impact of historical polluters on the river and the health of creatures that live in it, as well as theoretical risk assessments of individual pollutants on human health, relatively little attention has been paid to the actual health status of residents living within the 32-square-mile Superfund site. Nor has there been consideration of the cumulative impact of the many health hazards they face.

These surrounding neighborhoods house more than 38,000 residents, and experience a disproportionate amount of health problems compared to the rest of the county. Residents along the Superfund site have the highest rates of hospilitizations due to asthma for children and adults in King County. People in these neighborhoods are also more likely to say their health is poor than elsewhere in the county. More babies are born at lower weights here than most parts of the county, and average life expectancy is significantly lower than the rest of the county.

While the environmental damage from the Superfund site is not solely responsible for these figures, the cumulative impact of environmental pollution along with other social factors make this area one of the most vulnerable communities in Seattle.

The Duwamish situation represents an example of low-income and minority populations bearing a higher environmental risk burden than the general population. Areas of low socioeconomic standing do not need the added burden of environmental hazard. This is an environmental justice issue.

If you are interested in learning more about the Duwamish River and its surrounding communities, Just Health Action and Duwamish River Cleanup are both actively working on this issue.

Alumni in Urban Sustainability Jobs

2011-04-12T17:42:00.000-07:00

Seattle Pacific University's Response magazine published an article in its latest issue profiling SPU alumni working in urban sustainability. The article, found here, tells how these notable alumni are doing amazing things to care for the created world.

Some of the students mentioned in the Response article have been subjects of this blog as well! Check out Amity Lumper's story and the post about SPU's solar panel project on Otto Miller Hall.

Business and Sustainability

2011-03-31T15:47:00.000-07:00

The School of Business and Economics at Seattle Pacific University has committed itself to "another way of doing business". One way the School manifests this vision is in its graduate level course, Business and Stewardship: Global Sustainability.

Taught by Dr. Randy Franz, the course seeks to explore the role of business in addressing global economic, social, and environmental sustainability. The course is cross listed with the School of Theology and incorporates Christian theological understandings of creation care, stewardship, justice, human well-being, and restoration.

After having the opportunity to visit the class during one of its sessions, I can say that the class is truly unique. I don't know of another place you can have a conversation about product life cycles with both future business leaders and theologians!

The students' eclectic backgrounds combined with the interdisciplinary nature of the class make for a dynamic and collaborative learning environment. The class period I sat in on included discussion about new technology, cradle to cradle design and triple bottom lines.

It is exciting to see a class that brings future leaders from both business and theology together to tackle issues regarding sustainability and business. This kind of cross-disciplinary collaboration is crucial in addressing complex issues surrounding sustainability.

This class isn't the only way SPU's School of Business and Economics is broaching topics of sustainability and business. The School is introducing a new M.A. program in Social and Sustainable Management, an 11 month intensive program focused on sustainable business practices. The program is designed for recent graduates with non-business degrees, and will launch in the fall.

New Stewardship Cadre Meeting This Quarter

2011-03-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a way to get more involved this quarter, and are interested in environmental stewardship and creation care, then you're in luck! The newly-formed "Just Stewards" cadre will be meeting on Thursdays at 4:00 PM in Otto Miller Hall, room 124. Meetings will last approximately 60-90 minutes, and begin this Thursday, March 31. Here is the description of the cadre:

“Please join us as we gather weekly to explore principles and practices related to justly stewarding the earth that God has entrusted to humans’ care. We will spend our time discussing various Scripture passages, excerpts from the eco-theology / eco-justice literature, and current world issues, and will seek to identify our personal and collected calling in this complicated but critical area.”

For more information about the cadre, contact the facilitator, George Roe.

Seattle Area Happiness Initiative

2011-03-10T15:54:00.000-08:00

Sustainable Seattle, a regional sustainability indicator organization, is currently working on a project to provide a comprehensive assessment of well-being and to engage and inspire people, organizations and policy makers to action. It is called the Seattle Area Happiness Initiative, and it is centered around a new way of measuring well-being called the Gross National Happiness (GNH) index. GNH, originally developed in Bhutan, establishes a quantitative measurement of well-being and happiness, identifying measures of well-being as more important than traditional measures focused on production and consumption.

Sustainable Seattle has been publishing world-renowned regional sustainability indicators since the early 1990s, becoming the first organization in the United States to develop local indicators of well-being as an alternative to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 1991.

Indicators used in the happiness index include material well-being, environmental quality, governance, education, community vitality, cultural vitality, psychological health, human health, and time balance.

The initiative is the pilot for the Gross National Happiness Index Program, which hopes to use Seattle as a model by creating a simple and approachable platform for other cities to use. The program not only includes the GNH survey but also objective metrics, tools for shared learning and improvement, processes for convening partners and an advisory board, and programs for engaging businesses and individuals.

If you would like to participate in the Gross National Happiness Index Program, you can take the survey on Sustainable Seattle's website. The survey focuses on nine domains of happiness: psychological well-being; physical health; time or work-life balance; social connection and community vitality; education; access to arts, culture and recreation; environmental quality and access to nature; good governance; and material well-being. Be a part of making our community a happier place!

CAP Part 4: Transportation and Education

2011-03-08T15:55:00.000-08:00

Over the past month this blog has detailed Seattle Pacific Unviersity's Climate Action Plan. In wrapping up this series, the final major pieces of SPU's climate action plan deal with transportation and education.

As mentioned in a previous post, one of the major sources of the University's carbon emissions is transportation. SPU is working on revamping its fleet of vehicles, and is currently in the process of phasing gasoline vehicles out of its maintenance fleet, while looking to do the same with its SUVs and patrol cars as new technologies continue to emerge.

However, university vehicles are only a portion of total transportation-related emissions. In fact, most emissions in the transportation category come from commuting. Faculty, staff, and student commuting accounts for 26% of Seattle Pacific’s baseline carbon footprint, comprising the University’s second largest contribution to climate change.

Because addressing commuting problems requires dealing with behavior change rather than the physical campus, the climate action plan strives to make sustainable transportation options easier and more convenient than other options. The plan suggests not only expanding current programs but developing new strategies using community input.

The climate action plan lists a series of goals to meet in order to curb commuting emissions. Included is the development of a comprehensive campus bike plan to encourage cycling, increasing program and communication support for public transportation, developing an online ridesharing program to make carpooling easier, and additional long-term plans.

The final focus area in the climate action plan deals with providing education for a sustainable future. In keeping with SPU's mission to graduate students equipped with the compassion and knowledge to change the world, the plan seeks to encourage students to live sustainably. One part of this is identifying courses at SPU that are related to sustainability topics. Highlighting these courses will allow SPU to better communicate its commitment to sustainability to current and prospective students.

The climate action plan also advises the introduction of a campus laboratory grant, designed to allow a student or student team to pursue a campus sustainability project that provides an educational and environmental benefit to the campus community, much like the Otto Miller Hall solar project.

The plan also calls for community events intended to raise the profile of sustainability issues on campus and encourage an ongoing discussion on how best to move towards a sustainable future. Proposed annual events include Recyclemania, Earth Week, National Day of Prayer for Creation, as well as the incorporation of sustainability initiatives in the Day of Common Learning and resident hall move-out days. The plan emphasizes ways to communicate sustainability-related information to the campus community, through pamphlets for incoming freshman, annual updates to deans and directors, blurbs in campus bulletins, and of course, through this blog!

Transportation and education, alongside building standards and space planning and energy infrastructure, efficiency, and conservation, make up the main areas of focus laid out in the climate action plan. These strategies serve as a starting point for the University as it continues its commitment to sustainability. For more information, please check out the climate action plan in its entirety here.

CAP Part 3: Energy Infrastructure, Efficiency and Conservation

2011-03-03T10:45:00.000-08:00

An important part of Seattle Pacific University's climate action plan is its emphasis on energy infrastructure, efficiency, and conservation. Improving energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways for SPU reduce its carbon footprint, making it an important focus for the University.

Much of the improvements in energy infrastructure include improved monitoring of energy use. This can be done through developing a more user-friendly system to track building energy use, installation of natural gas sub-meters at each building, and conducting energy audits every two years.

The use of natural gas is one of the University's major sources of carbon emissions. The Facilities department at SPU has already identified a set of improvements that could reduce the University's natural gas usage by fifteen percent. These include implementing night setbacks, installing submetering and programmable thermostats, and upgrading to a web-based interface for networked controls. Best of all, these projects are estimated to pay for themselves within seven years of implementation.

While improving energy efficiency will substantially decrease energy usage, the climate action plan also notes the need for conservation measures - ways the University can eliminate unnecessary energy use. Part of the climate action plan calls for the gradual expansion of acceptable temperatures in campus buildings, increased use of occupancy sensors in office and classroom spaces, and reduced use of portable fans, space heaters, and non-program related equipment.

The Computer and Information Systems (CIS) team is also at work on conservation measures by developing ways to reduce energy use from on-campus computers.

Renewable energy technology is a vital component of SPU's climate action plan. Since renewable technologies are developing at a rapid pace, the University plans to conduct and update an analysis of renewable energy options every three years. Options already advised include low temperature geothermal, solar, and use of waste heat. SPU will also consider renewable options when replacing HVAC equipment, with an initial focus on conservation and efficiency and a long term focus on installations that include, or consist solely of, renewable energy technologies.

Each of these components will help the University achieve its goals listed in the climate action plan. To find out more, check out the entire plan here.

CAP Part 2: Building Standards and Space Planning

2011-02-10T14:13:00.000-08:00

Last week's post introduced Seattle Pacific University's climate action plan. The plan lays out a strategy for the University to become climate neutral by 2036. Part of the climate action plan deals with the University's building standards and space planning policies.

The climate action plan commits SPU to a high level of green building standards. This includes designing all new buildings to meet LEED Silver requirements. In addition, certain LEED credits are identified as "SPU priority credits" to ensure new buildings are extremely energy efficient and powered, at least in part, by renewable energy.

SPU's Science Building was the first building on campus to be
LEED Certified.

SPU is also committed to reducing the environmental impact of a building's site location. This includes providing habitat and promoting biodiversity, managing stormwater runoff, and refraining from developing environmentally sensitive sites.

Another area of emphasis is reducing energy usage. One of the easiest ways to conserve energy is to turn buildings off when not in use. Through space utilization studies, the University can consolidate evening classes into fewer buildings and improve scheduling density during off-peak hours, thereby taking more buildings offline earlier, saving energy. The climate action plan outlines other ways to curb energy use, through optimizing energy performance and producing on-site renewable energy.

These are just some of the initiatives SPU is enacting to meet its climate goals. To learn more, check out the full climate action plan here.

Seattle Pacific University's Climate Action Plan

2011-02-03T14:55:00.000-08:00

Continuing the thread of discussion on environmental justice, consider this: industrialized nations, accounting for 20% of the world's population, produce 60% of the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Moreover, developing nations experience the first and worst effects of climate related disasters. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) notes that, "While climate change is global, its negative impacts are more severely felt by poor people and poor countries. They are more vulnerable because of their high dependence on natural resources and limited capacity to cope with climate variability and extremes."

Seattle Pacific University is doing something about the role it plays in combating climate change. In 2008, President Eaton signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment, committing the University to establishing a plan to achieve climate neutrality as soon as possible. This commitment initiated the production of SPU's Climate Action Plan, which was formally adopted in 2010. The plan makes SPU's intentions clear:

In accordance with the biblical instructions to care for the earth and love our neighbors and recognizing that the effects of environmental degradation and climate change will be most strongly felt by some of the world’s poorest populations, Seattle Pacific is strongly committed to sustainability.

The climate action plan outlines SPU's current greenhouse gas emissions, and gives the strategies planned to become climate neutral by 2036. Climate neutrality refers to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, both by reducing and offsetting emissions.

Baseline Figures & Goals
Seattle Pacific’s greenhouse gas emissions peaked in fiscal year 2008, setting the baseline for further emissions reductions at approximately 6,320 metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCDE).

The largest source of these emissions is natural gas use, contributing about 42% of total emissions. SPU has set goals for reducing natural gas use by 20% by 2015 and 65% by 2036.

Another major scope of the University's carbon footprint comes from air travel and faculty, staff, and student commuting. Since most air travel is for athletic events and cannot be avoided, the big gains in this category will be in commuting. SPU has set goals to curb emissions from both student and employee commuting by 60% by 2036. SPU is also set to reduce air travel emissions by 17% by 2036.

A small portion of the University's emissions comes from purchased electricity. Fortunately, 90% of Seattle City Light's fuel mix comes from hydropower, with about 3% coming from wind energy. Less than 2% comes from fossil fuels, making it feasible to eliminate all emissions from this category by 2036.

The climate action plan is a guide as SPU continues on the path of responsible stewardship and sustainability. Keep an eye out for posts in the weeks to come highlighting some of the strategies in the climate action plan.

For more information, check out:
The SPU sustainability office's data and reporting site.
The SPU Climate Action Plan
The ACUPCC website
The New York Times' "The Climate Divide"

International Day of Prayer for Creation

2011-02-01T12:07:00.000-08:00

Renewal, a Christian creation-care organization, is sponsoring the 2011 International Day of Prayer for Creation. This year's theme is "Prayer for Environmental Justice", and is focused on environmental justices issues around the world. You can sign up to do a campus-wide event, or participate in an interactive prayer meeting online. The event takes place on February 2, from 5:00 to 5:45 pm.

Graduation Attire Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles

2011-01-27T14:59:00.000-08:00

For the 2011 graduating class, commencement is beginning to appear on the horizon. With just a quarter and a half to go, it is almost time to start preparing for the big event. Amidst all of the anticipation surrounding this milestone, here's some news that will make you even more excited about graduating: participating in this year's commencement will help save the planet.

That's right - all caps and gowns worn by this year's graduating class will be made from 100% post-consumer recycled bottles. An average of twenty-three plastic bottles will go into the making of each cap and gown.

The graduation attire, called GreenWeaver, was introduced in 2009. By March 2010, 3.5 million plastic bottles had been reclaimed from landfills for use in GreenWeaver regalia. Manufacturing fabric from plastic reduces CO2 gas emissions by 55% compared to manufacturing fabric from virgin polyester. You can even turn your cap and gown back in to be recycled again!

This is a great example of the possibilities of upcycling - the process of converting waste materials into useful new products. Only a portion of the plastic that gets recycled is turned into new materials and products that are of better quality and greater value than before. The rest is downcycled, meaning it is recycled into materials and products of lesser value.

On top of this, only 2-3% of plastic even gets recycled at all. The rest goes into landfills or ends up in our oceans. This is not only a problem for our environment, but for vulnerable communities, as Van Jones points out in his talk on the economic injustice of plastic. When recycled, these materials can be reused to produce clothing, carpet, synthetic lumber, new containers and bottles, and more.

As we get ready to don our recycled regalia, let it serve as a reminder that we can all do our part. It can be as easy as making an effort to limit our use of plastics, recycle the plastic items we do use, and look for opportunities to purchase items made of recycled material.

Remembering Martin Luther King, Jr.

2011-01-20T14:24:00.000-08:00

King delivers his famous "I Have a Dream" speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. (Photo credit unkown)

On Monday, our nation celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. King's life demonstrated that peace and tolerance can triumph over hate and injustice, and can serve to correct social wrongs. On this holiday, we are reminded of his heroic devotion to equality, justice, and unity.

In the spirit of Dr. King, it seems appropriate to talk about an issue that has stemmed from King's movement. The term "environmental justice" did not become popular until the 1980s, but the movement's roots stem from King's legacy.

Environmental justice refers to an equitable distribution of environmental burdens and benefits to groups such as racial minorities and residents of economically disadvantaged areas. Unfortunately, research has shown that these minority populations are disproportionately affected by environmental burdens. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has found that race and socioeconomic status accurately predict disproportionate distributions of environmental problems.

Toxic waste dumps are disproportionately located in neighborhoods inhabited by minority groups and people of low socioeconomic standing (EPA).
A 1987 study found that race proved to be the most significant variable in determining the location of commercial hazardous waste facilities, more so then socioeconomic standing (United Church of Christ).
Health effects stemming from pollutant exposure combine with other poverty-related factors like poor nutrition to exacerbate health effects (Grist).

Dr. King famously said that, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". Inequities in environmental justice force us evaluate things like where our energy comes from, where our waste ends up, and who it affects. Dr. King's words and actions continue to inspire the movement towards a more just and peaceful world.

Some additional resources:

Watch Majora Carter, founder of Sustainable South Bronx, speak on how minority neighborhoods suffer most from flawed urban policy.
Read more. APSCU's blog and Grist both have great articles on this issue.
Mark February 2 on your calendar. Renewal, a Christian student environmental group, is kicking off the International Day of Prayer for Creation Care: "Prayer for Environmental Justice". More details to come.
Hear John Perkins' historic "A Quiet Revolution" on iTunes U, delivered at SPU during the 1977-78 chapel series.

Planning for an Eco-Friendly Move-in

2010-08-31T16:05:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe, but it's getting to be that time of year again. With residence halls and campus apartments opening in less than a month, it's time to start planning the big move as well as what to bring to make your new room the best it can be. While you're at it, here are a few ways to make the transition easier on the environment!

Consider skipping the mini-fridge (there is a community fridge on each floor!) If you can't live without one, make sure to find one with a high Energy Star rating.

Coordinate with your roommate to find items to share. This can work well for things like printers.

Ditch the air freshener and go for a plant that actually cleans the air. Peace lily, mums, and gerbera daisies are all easy to care for plants that also excel at improving air quality. Air fresheners often fail to remove contaminants, add toxic chemicals, and mask odors that indicate unhealthy housing conditions.

Consider purchasing organic linens - they can actually be affordable!

CFL light bulbs - compact fluorescent light bulbs are more cost-effective than their incandescent rivals, and you won't have to change them out for a long, long time.

Reusable plates, cups, silverware - They're durable, take up less space, and don't generate waste. A reusable coffee mug and a canteen for water are two must-haves.

Power strip - Plug your electronics into a power strip and turn it off when not using them. Those cell-phone chargers, printers, and DVD players all draw energy when plugged in, even if they are not being used!

Looking for that great piece of furniture? Why not save some money as well as some space in our landfills, and find a gem on websites like craigslist.org and freecycle.org. In fact, SPU classifieds usually has some great finds!

Duwamish River - the Superfund Site in Our Own Backyard

2010-08-25T16:16:00.000-07:00

Due to industrial contamination in the 20th century, the lower five miles of the Duwamish River was designated as a superfund site by the United States Environmental Agency. Boeing's Plant 2, visible at lower right on the north bank of the river on both sides of the South Park Bridge, is a heavily contaminated site. (November 21, 2007) Paul Joseph Brown/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

The Duwamish River is a lifeline for the Seattle area. As the lone river flowing through the city, the Duwamish serves as a huge resource for the community. Unfortunately, the river has historically been used as a dumping grounds for the city's industry and commerce. Appointed an EPA superfund site in 2001, the Duwamish carries a swath of contaminants, including PCBs, Mercury, and Phalites, accumulated over years of pollution. It continues to be used for storm water runoff for much of the city.

I had the chance to join a tour of the river sponsored by Earth Ministry, a non-profit organization engaging the Christian community in environmental stewardship. This faith-based, ecojustice tour was designed to provide an opportunity for members of faith to join together to take account for the devastation of the river's ecosystem, as well as provide a time to pray for the reclamation of the river and affected communities. The event was co-sponsored by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, the pioneering citizen-action group committed to the cleanup of the river.

The issues surrounding the Duwamish River cleanup all tie into sustainability. The environmental, economic, and social impacts of the destruction of the river are immense and complex. The pollution has produced health problems in nearby neighborhoods like Georgetown and South Park, and has nearly destroyed a once-thriving ecosystem and fishery. An area with special significance to the native Duwamish tribe, the river has been altered and exploited for commercial enterprise with little concern for the social and environmental impacts incurred.

Luckily, there are signs of progress. The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has done amazing work cleaning up the river, building parks, and restoring the waterway and community. Their vision of the restoration project includes:

increasing living wage jobs through the impending cleanup work via partnerships with local businesses, schools, governments, and training programs;
Advance a new ‘green’ economy with living-wage jobs and economic development through the proposed Duwamish cleanup and restoration;
Remove toxic chemicals from the Duwamish River and ensure a risk-free place to fish and play;
reducing ongoing sources of pollution through source control, including green infrastructure, natural drainage and 'green streets;'
Increase equitable housing for a wide spectrum of incomes;
Create and steward thriving wildlife habitat restoration sites;
Enhance healthy recreation and eco-tourism opportunities;
Plan with communities for sustainable, thriving, vibrant riverfront neighborhoods.

With greater awareness and increased action, the Duwamish River can again be a life-abounding waterway for our community.

Ways to get involved:

The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition is always looking for volunteers to help their cause.
Be mindful of what you put down the drain. Many shampoos, gels, soaps, and cleaners contain toxic chemicals which wind up in the river. Reducing our use of harmful chemicals is an easy step to preserving the Duwamish and our environment.

A Plastic Ocean: Follow-up

2010-08-20T16:49:00.000-07:00

A few weeks back, our talented sustainability intern, Davis Winslow, created a thoughtful post detailing the problem of plastic in the Pacific Ocean. I'd like to briefly follow up on the issue by sharing the following mockumentary, produced by the California non-profit Heal the Bay. Happy Friday!

A brief (just-in-case) disclaimer: The legislative document referenced in the clip is a California ballot initiative. My motivation in posting the clip is to share something humorous rather than to endorse any particular piece of legislation.

Sustainability... What Does That Mean Again?

2010-08-18T12:20:00.000-07:00

Sustainable Development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. - Bruntland Commission

Sustainability has become a sort of buzzword, but sometimes the term is used so much that it loses its meaning. What does sustainability actually mean? Oftentimes sustainability is used synonymously with environmentalism, but isn't there more to it? The more I used the term the more I realized it needed some definition.

Sustainability is a community's ability to meet its needs without hurting future generations' ability to do the same thing. Sustainability is focused on maintaining what we have for our posterity, leaving the world a better place than when we entered it. Practically, sustainability means integratating economic, environmental, and social issues into the decision making processes of an organization or individual.

Seattle Pacific University is committed to progressing in these areas. The University has worked to reduce its environmental impact, from installing solar panels on Otto Miller Hall to building the Science Building to LEED standards. The John Perkins Center continues its restorative work in Christian reconciliation. And SPU continues to be ranked a top value in college rankings as it strives to make higher education accessible to more and more people.

I hope this gives a better framework for this blog and for what SPU is doing to engage in sustainable practices!

Some SPACE To Grow

2010-07-30T15:51:00.000-07:00

SPACE's organic garden, on 4th and Dravus

Brittany Raab was busy weeding and harvesting when I showed up to SPU's community garden, run by the campus club Seattle Pacific Agriculture for the Community and Environment (SPACE). As current president of SPACE, Brittany has spent much of her summer working in the garden, which is just over a year old. The garden was started by Kate Steensma and Alice Vander Haak, both of whom graduated this past June.

Located on 4th and Dravus, the garden is founded on SPACE's mission to cultivate an on-campus, organic garden that brings together students and faculty members from across the University. The emphasis is on community. People are encouraged to visit, participate, and share in the space. To further benefit the community, SPACE donates surplus produce to local food banks.

The garden abounds with variety, and its produce changes seasonally. Currently there are many things growing, including strawberries, peas, carrots, and cabbage. It is amazing that all this is growing in the middle of the city! The SPACE garden is a shining example of urban agriculture at its finest.

If you would like to learn more about SPACE and the garden, check out their Facebook page or contact Brittany at raab13@spu.edu. In the meantime, feel free to stop by and pick some produce for yourself! Just make sure you leave some for everyone!

Alumna Profile: Amity Lumper

2010-07-23T13:56:00.000-07:00

I recently had the privilege to sit down with Amity Lumper, '00, who has accomplished a great deal in the field of sustainability both during her time at Seattle Pacific University and in her career.

Amity came to Seattle Pacific considering a career in naturopathic medicine. Over time, however, she found that she had a strong passion for environmental health. During her undergraduate years she recognized the need for more adequate recycling facilities on campus, specifically in the residence halls. When she approached the University about the problem she was offered a job as recycling program manager and tasked with coming up with the solution. Over the next two years Amity turned SPU's recycling program around, performing waste audits, educating the community, making relationships with vendors, and improving awareness and accessibility to recycling on campus.

Upon graduating from SPU with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, Amity began working for Cascadia Consulting Group, an environmental firm providing consulting services for both public and private sector clients. She began on the ground floor, collecting data for waste audits by tagging along with garbage trucks and sorting through trash. She moved up the ranks to a management position, where she provided consulting services to government agencies from all over the country.

After four years with Cascadia, Amity took a break to attend graduate school in Sweden where she earned her master's degree in sustainability and leadership from Blekinge Technical Institute in Karlskrona. The experience gave Amity a uniquely multicultural look at sustainability and, after graduating in 2005, she came back to Cascadia with a fresh perspective and new vision.

Today, Amity is a Senior Associate and minority owner in Cascadia. She has recently developed a green business team to build a variety of services geared towards private clients and has worked with corporations like Adobe Systems, Home Depot, and Starbucks. She is passionate about helping businesses develop more sustainable practices.

Amity has shown an exemplary commitment to protecting the environment throughout her life. She was a pioneer at SPU and helped set the course the University is on today. Amity continues to show a commitment to her alma mater and is very encouraged with the progress made since she was a student. Her message to current students is that we can all make a difference:

Being a better steward of God's creation can be as simple as holding on to that bottle until you see a recycling bin, eating a little less meat this week, enjoying a walk or bike ride to Fremont instead of jumping in your car. Small steps really do add up to make a big difference.

Two Great Events Just Around the Corner!

2010-07-16T15:29:00.000-07:00

National Day of Prayer for the Gulf

This Sunday, July 18, the National Association of Evangelicals and the Evangelical Environmental Network are calling for a National Day of Prayer for the people of the Gulf, for God's creation, and for the Lord's intervention and deliverance. This is a great time to join together in prayer for our neighbors in the Gulf. For more information, visit the website.

Duwamish River Ecojustice Boat Tour

On August 14, Earth Ministry, a local nonprofit committed to engaging the Christian community in environmental stewardship, is putting on an event with the help of St. James Cathedral, St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle First Baptist Church, and Plymouth UCC. On this short trip, faith communities will join in prayer, learn about the contaminated ecosystems of the waterway, and be updated about advocacy opportunities to protect the only river in the City of Seattle. For more information, and to register, visit Earth Ministry's website.

Happy Weekend!

A Plastic Ocean

2010-07-15T14:15:00.000-07:00

In parts of the "Pacific Garbage Patch" there is more plastic than plankton, the crucial food source for fish and marine mammals.

Plastic. It seems like just about everything we use is made of some type of plastic. 230 million tons of plastic are consumed worldwide every year. Unfortunately, more than 90% of plastics are not recycled. And since plastic does not biodegrade, the waste sticks around for hundreds, even thousands, of years. This has resulted in a major ecological problem in the world's oceans. Pollution, along with other human action like overfishing, has put the world's oceans in serious trouble.

While plastic does not biodegrade, it does get broken down by the sun in a process called photodegradation. This process never breaks it down entirely, leaving tiny particles small enough to be ingested by marine life. Scientists estimate that 1 million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and sea turtles die from plastic pollution every year. 90-95% of all marine debris is plastic, and plastic accounts for 60-80% of all marine pollution.

Pieces of plastic are often mistaken for food by birds and marine animals.

Steps are being made. Advocacy groups like Ocean Conservancy and the Plastiki expedition are raising awareness about the issue, and research groups like Project Kaisei and the Algalita Marine Research Foundation are adding to the body of research on marine pollution. The story of the North Pacific Gyre, known as the Pacific Garbage Patch, has started to gain media attention.

What you can do

We can all do our part to help the ocean rebound from the invasion of plastic pollutants. Recycling is a key component of the solution, and Seattle Pacific University has shown tremendous progress in this area. In 1999, SPU recycled 15% of its total waste stream. In 2007, that rate jumped to 67%. Recycling lessens the amount of waste in landfills (and oceans) and allows materials to be reused again and again.

Individually, there are some really easy steps we can all take to reduce our footprint and cut back on the consumption of plastics:

Avoid single-use plastics. Plastic bags, bottle caps, water bottles, and Styrofoam constitute the bulk of pollution in the oceans. Bring your own bag to the grocery store, and keep a reusable water bottle handy instead of purchasing bottled water.
Say no to litter. 80% of marine debris comes from land, much of which can be avoided by properly disposing of trash.
Money talks. It's easy to blame consumerism for environmental problems, but consumer habits can also play a pivotal role in providing a solution. Avoid purchasing items with excessive packaging and favor products that are manufactured with a light environmental footprint.
Participate in a Beach Clean-Up. Seattle Parks and Recreation has a variety of volunteer opportunities involving restoration and cleanup projects around the area.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It has never been more important to be mindful of our habits. Everyone has a part in cleaning up our oceans, and it starts with the basics.

Christians and Conservation: A Theology of Stewardship

2010-07-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

Can he read? Susanne Weissenberger. 1st place, Natural Environment at Risk, ICP Awards

"God writes the Gospel not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars." - Martin Luther

Last week I was able to attend the Burke Museum's latest exhibit showcasing the International Conservation Photography Awards. I definitely recommend making the trip to see it. The exhibit is a moving display of some of the best conservation photography in the world. The collection is diverse: some pictures show the great beauty and wonder of the Earth, while others show the oftentimes discouraging relationship between humans and the natural environment. For me, the experience raised questions about my role in environmental degradation. Even further, as a Christian, it invoked questions about where my faith intersects environmental issues. Because of that, I decided to use this post to open a discussion about why the environment is a concern for Christians.

Scripture provides an important framework for understanding the relationship between God, humanity, and creation. The Genesis account reveals God creating the natural world and placing humans as stewards over it. The idea of a caring Creator entrusting humanity with taking care of the created order makes caring for creation an essential duty of God's people. Furthermore, Scripture gives us a theocentric conception of creation. That is to say, creation is for God's purpose rather than that of humans. So when we see species being pushed to extinction, or biodiversity being destroyed for personal gain, we must remember our role as caretakers of God's creation.

Giraffe Symphony, Rafael Rojas. Honorable Mention, Wildlife, ICP Awards

Another insightful environmental perspective can be drawn from the biblical concept of shalom. As Ben Lowe, author of Green Revolution, describes it: "Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace. Meaning more than simply the absence of conflict, however, it is about right relationships between God and everything else, where wholeness and flourishing occurs without opposition." Shalom is seen in Isaiah 11: "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid, and the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them." Shalom is not only peace, but a restored and reconciled creation. This reconciliation includes reconciled relationships between God and humanity, within humanity itself, and between humanity and the rest of creation.

Another major case for environmental stewardship in the Christian tradition comes out of the numerous calls to serve the poor and oppressed. It has become apparent that ecological crises have a disproportionately severe effect on the world's poor. Poor areas lack the infrastructure, emergency services, health facilities, and financial capital to rebound from environmental catastrophes. As people commanded to serve the poor, we must be concerned with issues in environmental justice.

Storks and Humans, Sandesh Kadur. 1st Place, Community at Risk, ICP Awards

Jesus said that the greatest commandments are to love God and love your neighbor. Caring for the environment is a way of doing both. It fulfills our God-given role as stewards of the earth, and it protects our neighbor's access to shared resources like clean air and water. In this way, creation care is an important concern for the Christian community.

As this is only a brief blog post, I ask you to continue the conversation started here. So go ahead, leave a comment! Tell us what you think about the intersection of theology and environment. Also, remember to check out the conservation photography on display at the Burke Museum. It is a great reminder of the diversity and beauty God has created! Lastly, if you are looking for more information, Renewal, Earth Ministry, and A Rocha are all committed Christian environmental organizations, all with helpful information and resources on their websites, and SPU has a series of lectures on Christianity and the Environment on iTunesU.

Where the Farm Meets the City

2010-06-30T15:31:00.000-07:00

Food is a critical component of our lives. Not only does it sustain us, but it is integral to our culture and community. Unfortunately f
or many of us, we have become severed from the entire food process. Our food comes to us boxed and sealed, readily available at the nearest supermarket.
But there are many good reasons for us to examine how (and where) our food is produced.

Industrial agriculture is currently the world's largest producer of greenhouse gas emissions, much of which comes from transportation and unsustainable farming practices. Also, the vast majority of meat, eggs, and dairy products sold in American grocery chains and restaurants comes from animals raised in intensive-confinement systems that impose significant stress on the animals in pursuit of production efficiency. These and other issues make food an important topic when thinking about sustainability. As we look for ways to protect our resources for future generations, here are two great options for making sustainable food choices:

Urban agriculture

Mayor Mike McGinn and Seattle City Council members announced 2010 to be "The Year of Urban Agriculture" and launched a campaign to promote urban agriculture efforts and increase community access to locally grown food. While the term "urban agriculture" may sound a little peculiar, the practice is quickly gaining ground as a sustainable method of feeding the world's cities. Urban agriculture is an innovative approach to growing food that allows urban communities to grow much of their food for themselves. There are many forms of urban agriculture:

Cities have begun to transform unused spaces and vacant lots into productive community gardens designed to provide fresh, quality foods to underserved areas. Seattle has developed a number of community gardens designed to allow community members to have access to a plot of land available to grow crops for themselves and their community. SPU has an organic community garden of its own on 4th and Dravus. These gardens not only provide local and organic crops, but also provide a space for the community to be together.
Homeowners are converting their yards into miniature farms, transforming a space with little function and many negative attributes (water usage, harmful fertilizers, upkeep) to a useful and attractive piece of land.

From rooftop greenhouses to backyard chicken coops, urban agriculture empowers urban residents to grow their own food and provide a sustainable food supply for their community. As more and more people move into cities, it is increasingly important to provide ways of feeding these populations. Urban agriculture is one way of doing that.

Squire Park P-Patch community garden fasd

Farmers Markets

Another great way to support sustainable agriculture is to visit your local farmers market. Seattle is blessed with a multitude of farmers markets in various neighborhoods taking place throughout the week. Farmers markets allow consumers to access seasonal foods grown by local farmers, most of whom use organic farming practices. And while you might not find a local pineapple stand, the Northwest does provide an outstanding variety of seasonal offerings. I stopped by the Ballard Farmers Market over the weekend, where vendors offered 50+ varieties of vegetables, bread and baked goods, cherries and other fruits, dairy products, meat, seafood, poultry - the list goes on.

Farmers markets embody a great sense of community. Local is the theme - from farmers to craftmakers to musicians, neighborhood markets ingrain a tremendous sense of place. There is no better place to find fresh, local, delicious food in Seattle, all the while getting to enjoy some of that summer sunshine!

Locally grown food benefits the local economy, insures against global food crises, reduces pollution from transportation, and provides a fresh and great tasting product. As consumers we are all empowered to have an effect on the way our food is produced. I encourage you to make informed decisions and help create a food system that will generate quality food for generations to come!

Solar Success

2010-06-22T10:37:00.000-07:00

It's official: summer is here! Now that summer has arrived it's time to break out the sunscreen and head to the beach. Here at Seattle Pacific University, summer lends a chance to show off the recently completed photovoltaic solar panels soaking up the rays atop Otto Miller Hall.

A project initiated by 2009 graduate Kenzie Brister's senior honors project, the solar panels are designed both to serve a portion of the University's electricity needs and provide a learning tool for students interested in renewable energy. The panels were designed and installed by Ecotech, a company started by SPU alumnus Dana Brandt.

The solar panels are a step towards the University's goal of reaching eventual carbon neutrality and are designed to be phase one of three units ultimately gracing the rooftop of Otto Miller Hall. The panels are currently able to produce over 4000 watts of electricity and are set to produce the electricity needed to operate SPU's five electric maintenance vehicles. The energy output of the solar panels can be monitored by a meter installed on the second floor of Otto Miller Hall.

It is inspiring to see our University taking steps to become more reliant on clean and renewable energy. The recent events in the Gulf of Mexico have highlighted for us the issues surrounding energy. But the problems raised are not without answers. Solar energy promises to be part of the solution, and new technology is increasing solar's usefulness around the world. With every step towards clean energy we move one step closer to a more sustainable future.

The Sustainable Table

2010-04-21T14:23:00.000-07:00

Tonight at 6pm, Seattle Pacific Agriculture for the Community and Environment (SPACE) is hosting a showing of Food, Inc. in Science 112, to be followed by a panel discussion with representatives from the PCC Farmland Trust and Agros International. Recognizing the important role that food plays in sustaining healthy communities, SPACE manages an organic garden on campus (near the corner of 4th and Dravus) and donates a portion of each harvest to a food bank or non-profit.

As you'll see in the movie, there's a lot wrong with what (and how) Americans eat. Very briefly, here's a summary of what to look for when choosing what you eat.

Local: Buying local means keeping your transportation "foodprint" low. It also helps boost the local economy; rather than send your money to another community, you're keeping your dollars here. Locally grown food is more likely to be seasonal, thus taking less energy to grow. With farmer's market season just starting in Seattle, there are plenty of great opportunities to support local farmers.

Organic: Organic food is grown or raised in a manner that limits or excludes synthetic materials (pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.). Many of these chemicals are known to mimic hormones and as such are suspected carcinogens. In addition to being ingested, these chemicals often wash into local streams and can pollute animal habitat and even drinking water. Buying organic means that the worst you'll have to wash off of your produce is a little dirt. Organic food is usually a bit pricier however, so it's helpful to learn which foods typically contain the most pesticides and focus your organic purchasing there. You can also save on the cost of purchasing organics by growing them yourself--it's easier than you might think. If you live on campus and don't have access to a gardening space, you can always join the SPACE garden club.

Bottled H2O: Just Say "No"

2010-04-19T14:32:00.000-07:00

Happy Earth Week! The Seattle Pacific Environmental Network (SPEN) is kicking things off with a day dedicated to ditching plastic, disposable water bottles. Granted, there are places on this planet where local water sources are scarce and/or polluted and bottled water makes sense. Just for the record, Seattle is not one of those places. We get our water from the Cedar River watershed, consisting of 90,500 acres of protected wilderness. From economic, health, energy, waste stream, and even taste standpoints, tap water beats bottled.

"The Story of Bottled Water," which came out last month, does a great job of breaking down some of the problems with bottled water:

Instead of buying bottled, invest in a reusable canteen (or two) to keep in places like your car, office, and dorm, so it's always convenient to make the sustainable choice. To avoid the chemicals sometimes found in reusable plastic bottles, consider a stainless steel one.

Green Awakenings

2010-02-18T16:22:00.000-08:00

Want to make a difference, but not sure where to start? Here's a great source for ideas and inspiration:

Renewal, a student-led creation care network, recently released Green Awakenings: Stories of Stewardship and Sustainability from the Next Generation, the culmination of a 2009 research project exploring how different Christian campuses addressed the topic of environmental stewardship. "The student generation in particular is stepping up to care for God's creation, but previously little was known about what this practically looked like on Christian campuses," said Ben Lowe, Renewal's co-coordinator. "Our two-fold goal is to demonstrate to colleges, churches, and communities how we are working together for the renewal of God's creation, and inspire others to join us."

Not only is this report full of examples of how students across the nation are addressing the topic of creation care, the segment on the Western region of the country highlights some of the accomplishments of Seattle Pacific students. Kudos to Kate Steensma and Alice Vander Haak, founders of Seattle Pacific Agriculture for the Community and Environment (SPACE), and Kenzie Brister, a 2009 graduate who designed a solar photovoltaic installation for Otto Miller Hall as part of her senior honors thesis, "A Greener Seattle Pacific."

I highly encourage you to check out the report. Amidst a backdrop of doom and gloom environmental news (which, I admit, has its place), Green Awakenings is a breath of fresh air, providing both encouragement and direction for a better planet.

Vanquishing Phantom Power

2009-10-28T09:22:00.000-07:00

As October is Energy Awareness Month, I thought I'd post some tips on how to save energy (and money!). While there can be a lot of buzz around the latest green or energy saving product--and don't get me wrong, some of these are plenty nifty--there are several things you can do to save energy without spending a dime. Eliminating unnecessary phantom power is a simple and effective introduction to a more energy efficient lifestyle.

Phantom power, or standby power, is defined by the EPA as "the power consumed by an appliance when switched off or not performing its primary functions." The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory estimates that the average American household contains around forty items that continuously draw electricity from the grid (regardless of whether they are being used); these items account for nearly 10% of residential electricity use.

Sometimes phantom power has a legitimate use. DVRs, for example, operate at a minimal level of power when not in use so as to keep track of which programs to record. Other instances of phantom power, however, are simply wasted electricity. Cell phone chargers use nearly as much electricity when plugged into the wall by themselves as they do when actively charging your cell phone. If all SPU students living on campus left their cell phone chargers plugged in 24/7, the chargers would consume the same amount of electricity annually as three houses.

The best way to vanquish phantom power? Unplug electronics when you aren't using them.

To avoid the inconvenience of digging around under your desk or behind the TV, group your electronics by use and plug them into power strips, which can be placed in easy-to-reach locations and turned off with the flick of a switch. For example, your TV, cable box, and any gaming consoles can all be plugged into one power strip, while your computer, printer, monitor, and peripherals can be plugged into another.

Happy conserving!

Running the Numbers

2009-10-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

Did you know that the U.S. goes through 106,000 aluminum cans every 30 seconds? I often see facts such as this one employed in the hope of encouraging individuals to live more sustainably. But really, how do you even begin to wrap your head around numbers that big?

Ballard artist Chris Jordan's "Running the Number s" exhibit, opening this weekend at the Pacific Science Center, presents visuals of this and other unsettling facts about American culture. "Cans Seurat," for example, is a large scale version of Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte" that, upon closer inspection, turns out to be the aforementioned 106,000 aluminum cans. I highly recommend going if you get the chance.

In a similar vein, I've been trying to come up with meaningful ways to talk about Seattle Pacific's environmental impact. After spending considerable amounts of time calculating SPU's carbon footprint, I have a hard time picturing what it means when I say that we emitted 6,232 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) during the 2008-2009 year. So I put pen to paper (okay, finger to calculator) and did some calculations.

Seattle Pacific's 2008-2009 carbon footprint of 6,232 MTCO2e is equivalent to each of the following:

1,141 cars on the road for one year

707,378 gallons of gasoline

14,493 barrels of oil

electricity for 864 homes for one year

energy for 567 homes for one year

Now if only I had the images to back it up...

A complete accounting of Seattle Pacific's greenhouse gas emissions over the past three years is now posted to the Presidents' Climate Commitment website. Stay tuned for more info on what we're doing to become more sustainable--and how you can help!

Welcome

2009-10-23T11:06:00.000-07:00

This is a new blog from the desk of Bethany Walrad in Facilities Management at Seattle Pacific University.

Track with me all the changes we are making here at SPU!