San Diego State University and Its Commitment to Make the Campus Climate Neutral - Essay Example

San Diego and Its Commitment to Make the Campus ‘Climate Neutral’ San Diego University and Its Commitment to Make the Campus ‘Climate Neutral’ Introduction All over the world, researchers and experts alike now agree that the effects of climate change are becoming more visible and real (Hughes, 2000). A number of universities and institutions in response to global warming and climate change are taking significant measures to reduce or track GHG emissions. Due to many reasons, Global warming has turned out to be a serious issue over the last few years. Unlike in the past, today a lot of people believe in climate change and global warming. This paper will analyze the commitments made by San Diego State University to becoming climate neutral. Additionally, the paper will define global warming. Consequently, it will analyze the causes of global warming and SDSU’s commitment in honoring the climate action plan (CAP). Body Global warming is primarily defined as the amplification and rise in earth’s temperature because of fossil fuels, industrial pollution and agricultural practices by human beings, and natural gas emissions (Chapin III et al, 1991). Due to these factors, greenhouse gases are emitted into the atmosphere in large quantities. Short wave solar radiations are absorbed into the earth hence increasing its surface temperature. According to experts, greenhouse gases are the main cause of the rise of the earth’s temperature. Greenhouse gases increase the heat trapping ability of the earth. Causes of Global warming The major causes of global warming are divided into two groups; man-made causes and natural causes. Natural causes are the factors amplified by nature. For example, the emission of methane gas from frosty tundra and wetlands is an example of a natural cause. Methane gas traps heat in the earth’s atmospheres hence raising earth’s temperature. As such, it is a greenhouse gas. Meanwhile, man-made causes result from human activities on the surface of the earth. Man-made effects are the major cause of global warming. Pollution is the major cause of global warming. It results from coal, fossil fuels or oil burning pollutes the environment by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Also, methane gas is released into the atmosphere when human beings excavate fossil fuels or minerals. The increase in the human population is another significant cause of global warming. A higher population means more transportation methods are needed, which translates to more fossil fuels being mined and burned hence increasing methane gas in the atmosphere (Cox et al, 2000). Additionally, an increase in population means more land is being cleared for farming and settlements. This has an impact of reducing the number of trees which are significant in air purification. This increases the co2 in the atmosphere. The San Diego State University has a successful culture of sustainability. The university tries to increase and improve its sustainability by reducing its water consumption rate, increase energy efficiency, and adopt green practices. President Elliot Hirshman in recognition of the effects of global warming agreed to sign the American college and university president’s climate commitment. This was meant to increase the San Diego State University’s relentless dedication to sustainability. According to Hirshman, the university pledged to work as a team and community in the elimination and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the signing of this pact illustrated the university’s dedication to promote education and research that will construct a more sustainable world. This ground breaking event took place at the Aztec student union theatre on March 5. The American college and university president’s climate commitment This commitment encourages universities and colleges to become leaders in their various communities by equipping its students with knowledge which will aid in achieving climate neutrality and by designing ways and method to reduce global warming emissions. Therefore, universities and colleges which will implement this plan will equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge which is vital in addressing the important systematic hurdles faced by the modern world. Additionally, the universities will benefit from the various economic opportunities that will emerge as a result of the solutions they develop. Signing of the pact was a major step for the San Diego State University since it illustrates the university’s commitment not only in equipping its students with knowledge but also in its commitment to work towards a better world that will benefit the human race for generations to come. SDSU’s the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union is on the way to becoming the country’s first student union to be LEED platinum certified. This is the highest certification in the country the U. S green Building Council can issue or issues. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a sustainable or green facility design rating which was developed by the uniten states green building council. The design system advocates for standards of environmentally sustainable construction. This system includes the three certification levels which are; silver, gold, and platinum. According to the university council, the building is designed and will be constructed as a LEED Platinum-certified project. San Diego State University in its effort to reduce global warming has a go green program or events. The university in its effort to encourage and educate the community about global warming went green from April 12 to April 24. The event dubbed “Green fest” is made up of a week-long group of events and programs which are meant to educate, celebrate, or encourage on the significance of living a green sustainable lifestyle. It is normally held during the week of earth day. The events undertaken during the green fest week include a business fair which is environmentally conscious, keynote environment speakers, environ-fashion awards and sustainability challenges. These activities are vital since they educate the community on the importance of maintaining the environment. The event is sponsored by SDSU’s environ-business society and associated students. SDSU has celebrated the event since the 1970s to raise awareness about the significance of environmental conservation. Sustainability at the San Diego State University has become a culture norm. Faculty, staff and students all engage themselves in a variety of ways to enhance environmentalism form research, to academic programs to festivals. In recognition of the commitment by SDSU’s approach to sustainability, it was recognized by getting the best overall sustainable design during the tenth annual energy efficiency and sustainability best practice awards. This recognition of the university’s efforts depict that it is doing enough to help reduce global warming. Winning the award was a major accomplishment for the university Building green About eighty percent of the materials got from the old Aztec center were recycled or were used in the construction of the new building. This shows a lot of commitment from the university in its effort to minimize global warming. The new building possesses a rainwater collection system, trusses which are made from layers of forest stewardship council certified wood and it also has the biggest radiant heat flooring system in the nation. Other green concepts of the building include Solar panels are installed to tap the sun’s natural energy. This will significantly reduce the consumption of energy. The radiant floor system made of concrete slab will provide mass cooling and heating. The facility’s underground water tank will tap rainwater, thereby preventing rainwater from being discharged into the storm water system. There is a storm water control. It is an underground stormceptor that purifies the runoff water by removing pollutants from the water. To help conserve energy further, the building is designed to enable more natural day lighting. This design reduces the building’s dependence on artificial lighting. Lastly, the university equipped the building with operable windows that advance ventilation control and effectiveness. Recommendation The scientific agreement about global warming effects is unanimous. Experts point out that pollution from burning of fossil fuels will continue to increase and accelerate the effects of global warming. We cannot burn fossil fuels safely without warming the earth dangerously for the next several thousand years. The San Diego State University should freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies. Additionally, the university should divest its involvement from direct ownership in firms dealing with fossil fuel. Such a decision by the university will be a sound decision since its graduates will move into a cleaner and safer world. Conclusion The San Diego State University is doing enough in reducing global warming. As such, it is committed to making the campus climate neutral. This is through educating the community on the importance of environmental conservation and its role in advocating for green buildings. References Chapin III, F. S., Jefferies, R. L., Reynolds, J. F., Shaver, G. R., Svoboda, J., & Chu, E. W. (Eds.). (1991). Arctic ecosystems in a changing climate: an ecophysiological perspective. Academic Press. Cox, P. M., Betts, R. A., Jones, C. D., Spall, S. A., & Totterdell, I. J. (2000). Acceleration of global warming due to carbon-cycle feedbacks in a coupled climate model. Nature, 408(6809), 184-187. Hughes, L. (2000). Biological consequences of global warming: is the signal already apparent?. Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 15(2), 56-61. Read More