Green Guru Network

Though the season can get hectic, there are lots of easy ways to cut down on a typically very resource-intense time of year.  Here are some of my own favorites – which not only help me feel conscientious, but can also make the season more fun! I hope you enjoy, and Happy Holidays!  -- Erika

1. Unwrap gifts carefully and salvage any wrapping paper and bows to use for next year.  Fold carefully and store – it’s a fun surprise every year to find “new” wrapping paper in your supplies that originally came from someone else’s house!  For recycled gift wrap, check out The Gift Wrap Co. and Green Field Paper Co. 

2. My mother always saves the holiday cards she receives, cuts off the front pictures and uses them as gift tags the next year.  She uses some of these tags on family gifts over and over for years on end!  They can even look much fancier than store-bought gifts tags. 

3. Send beautiful, animated holiday E-cards (try Paperless Post, Jacquie Lawson, or the Nature Conservancy!) – or if this feels too impersonal, look for cards that are made of recycled paper and can be re-recycled (meaning not too many baubles and crazy decorations attached).  Check out Pear Tree and Green Field Paper Co., among many others - even Amazon has a selection!

Check out the next set of tips!

(Continued from Great "Greening" Efforts at SUNY Schools.)

“Overall,” said Ross, “what struck me was the power of SUNY. I was absolutely amazed at what was going on in SUNY in terms of sustainability efforts, and our capacity to make a difference. SUNY really impacts New York state, so when we make a difference in SUNY we make a difference across the state.” 

Ross said what she took away from the conference was that SUNY schools need to partner with one another and with their communities to work on “green” initiatives. Student involvement also is the key, as students are often the most enthusiastic advocates for sustainability in all aspects of life.

The conference sessions were: Energy Panel: Financing and Performance Contracts; Curriculum and Training; Energy Conservation Measures; Engaging the Campus Community; Measuring Success: Finding Common Ground; and Getting the State of New York to Do What You Want: A Historic and Current Review of Options.

Hosted by SUNY Empire State College, the conference was organized by a committee representing different SUNY campuses and SUNY Central Administration. The committee members were: Joseph Fox, SUNY Central Administration, Mary Ellen Mallia, University at Albany, Joseph Tripodi, Purchase College, Sean Vormwald, Onondaga Community College and SUNY Empire State College Director of Environmental Sustainability Sadie Ross

Additional information about the 2011 SUNY Sustainability Conference

(Continued from Another Congratulations to SUNY - First-Ever System-Wide Sustainability Conference: A Look Back)

Students at Empire State College study independently at 35 locations across the state or online through its Center for Distance Learning. However, Davis added that, “we travel and we print, so we are always looking to do better for the state and for SUNY and to meet our own targets for sustainability.”

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry President Cornelius B. Murphy Jr. delivered the keynote, highlighting areas in which his institution has sought to lower that campus’s carbon footprint. He showcased some of the “student-driven” measures ESF is undertaking, including a diesel fuel reclamation program, the heating and energy system for the campus portal building and the campus’s work with its forest acreage to sequester carbon monoxide.

Speaking of climate change, he said that this generation has a moral commitment to make the investment in a green future, for the sake of future generations. “I have eight grandchildren and it is my grandchildren whose lives will substantially change. Their children may never see a sugar maple turn color, there will be reduced availability of water resources in their lifetime, and increased cost and reduced availability of agriculture.” 

Both presidents have signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Initiative.

More on the power of SUNY

The SUNY system holds its first large-scale sustainability conference this September! 85 participants – SUNY sustainability officers, and representatives from other state agencies and the private sector – gathered at SUNY Empire State College for the first systemwide conference for SUNY sustainability officers Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 19-20.

Thirty-two SUNY colleges were represented at the conference. (Who was there? Look to the end of this article.)

“We think we are pretty sustainable because we don’t have many of the activities that a traditional campus has, plus our modes of delivery to part-time learners leave a much smaller footprint,” said SUNY Empire State College President Alan R. Davis in welcoming the attendees to the conference.

More on SUNY's great "greening efforts" and why they're so committed to making a difference!

SUNY Colleges in Attendance:
Binghamton University, Cornell University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Herkimer County Community College, Hudson Valley Community College, Jefferson Community College, Monroe Community College, Onondaga Community College, Purchase College, Stony Brook University, Sullivan County Community College, SUNY Adirondack, SUNY Buffalo, SUNY Brockport, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Cortland, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, SUNY Empire State College, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Morrisville, SUNY Old Westbury, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Orange, SUNY Oswego, SUNY Plattsburgh, SUNY Potsdam, SUNY Upstate Medical University; SUNYIT; University at Albany and the University at Buffalo.

Committing to cut energy use at home or at work is a wonderful undertaking. Getting started and taking accurate measurements of your progress are the most important parts of your commitment. The best way to know how much you’ve cut is to take before and after "snapshots" of your energy use.

Accurately measuring your energy use and emissions output is called a “Greenhouse Gas [GHG] Inventory.” Individuals and private households can use the EPA’s Household Emissions Calculator to track energy use and GHGs. Another great and easy-to-use tool, for both individuals and businesses/organizations, is My Energy Plan.  Bigger companies or corporations might benefit from investigating the standards and recommendations from GreenHouse Gas Protocol.

When you’re ready to start making reductions, check out the NYSERDA website for more excellent tools and tips, including information on subsidies and funding for efficiency projects for homes and businesses.