How My University Is Becoming Carbon Neutral

Posted on June 10, 2010
Filed Under Uncategorized |

By Lauren Keane-Farrell

As a student at American University in Washington, DC, you are bombarded with the slogan The American Dream is Green. It’s on university vehicles, posters and new student information packets. But, as a student, sometimes it’s hard to see where these green practices are coming in and how they will actually affect you.

AU has crafted an ambitious Climate Action Plan, which aims to make the campus carbon neutral by 2020. Already the campus is taking steps in the right direction.

collegeThe new School of International Service building is the most visible demonstration of AU’s commitment to being green. Under construction since before I was a freshman, the building finally opened in early May 2010. The SIS building boasts numerous green practices. The building is registered with U.S. Green Building Council and is seeking LEED Gold certification. And the atrium provides the building with ample natural light, which cuts down on the need for artificial lighting.

The Terrace Dining Room (TDR) began going tray-less last year as part of a Seminar in Environmental Issues (ENVS-102) study. The results were so encouraging that AU made tray-less TDR a regular thing. The study, Dude, Where’s My Tray, showed that going tray-less can eliminate approximately 260 lbs of waste per day and 27,000 lbs per semester.

Transportation is always a sticky spot for campuses. Luckily, being in the city, AU has plenty of opportunities to maximize on public transportation. A free shuttle service picks students, faculty and guests up at the Tenleytown Metro station and drops them at various locations around Tenley Campus, Main Campus and Washington College of Law.

Furthermore, AU is attempting to reduce single passenger cars by promoting the use of ZipCar and Zimride. Zimride is a ride-share program that allows drivers to seek out passengers (and vice versa) in locations around the country. The typical cost is splitting the gas.

These are just a few of the steps that my school is taking to cut down on its carbon footprint. These actions only slightly affect the students, but as AU continues towards its goal it’ll have a big impact on the environment.

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2 Comments so far
  1. Stephen June 11, 2010 12:07 pm

    Don’t forget the organic community garden, double-sided default printing in the library, and the numerous ways renewable energy will be installed on campus including the establishment of a clean energy revolving fund. The American Dream is Green!

  2. Chris O'Brien June 11, 2010 4:52 pm

    Wonderful to see an AU student blogging about our sustainability efforts. I’m looking forward to getting campus involved in the America’s Greenest Campus contest this fall - ninth place was good but we can do better this year!

    The American Dream Is Green,
    Chris O’Brien
    Director of Sustainability
    American University

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