Issue 4
February 2013
In This Issue: Technology Energy: Hydraulic Fracturing............................03 Research……………….....................................04 Food Waste…….................................................06 Living Tips….........................................................08 Sustainable Transit..............................................09 Architecture at OU…........................................11 Green Tips.………….........................................12 International Perspectives…............................13
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Opportunities...……..........................................15 Expressions……..…….......................................17 Science Café..……..............................................19 Fuel Economy.......................................................20 Food…...................................................................21
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On The Cover Cover Photo: Emily Kuczmick Tree on Ohio University’s campus
We’ve moved! Office of Sustainability is excited to announce we are now located in the Silas Bingham log cabin on the corner of Schafer and Richland. Drop by and visit us on weekdays, 8am-5pm!
From the Editor As week four of the spring semester rolls around, the Ohio University community is back in the swing of things. New schedules have become habit and both professors and students are up late at night on their computers preparing for approaching exams and papers. As we progress further into 2013, it is important to remember what makes our daily schedules possible; technology. From catching the bus or driving to campus to the use of SmartBoards and PowerPoints in class, things wouldn’t run as smoothly without technology. But what are the effects on the environment? Many people associate the progression of technology with adverse environmental outcomes. Inventions used by the majority of people in their everyday lives get power from non-renewable sources; driving a car, heating a house, turning on a computer and charging an iPod are all using up these non-renewable resources. This issue of Routes, however, challenges Ohio University to not only become educated on the negative effects of technology, but also focus on the positives that technology has given us. Online energy dashboards, motion sensory lighting and solar thermal systems are all evidence of greater societal connection to preserving our environment. Inside this issue, the reader will find highlights in new technologies being designed and utilized both locally and nationally. In addition, ongoing practices that are not so sustainable have been identified. The continuous advancement in technology is inevitable, but decisions that we make, both in product selection as well as behavioral choices, can alter the effects on the environment, our communities and our economy.
Routes Magazine Editors Megan Graver / Reporting and Outreach Jaymie Tighe / Special Communications
Contributors Emily Kuzmick / Photographer Lisa Kefalos / Writer Alex Slaymaker /Writer Austin Stahl / Writer Liz Emley / Writer Bekky Hobson / Writer Pronoy Rai / Writer Markie Miller / Writer
Director Annie Laurie Cadmus
Original Layout Created by: Neal Patten
Keep In Touch:
Have an excellent semester!
Megan Graver Megan Graver Routes Co-Editor Outreach and Reporting Coordinator, Office of Sustainability
2
Energy: Hydraulic Fracturing
Markie Miller
Hydraulic Fracturing: The Basics
documentaries Gasland and Fracknation demonstrate the great divide in our country’s opinion and knowledge on Hydraulic fracturing, often called fracking, is a controversial hydraulic fracturing. method of extracting natural gas. As the public outcry for Through this method of resource extraction, there is a sustainability gains momentum, so does the search for substantial amount of fracking water that flows back out of alternatives to oil and coal. Although the technology behind the well after the shale has been fracked. The flowback water solar power and wind power exists, there is now, more than is called brine. It is essentially the end result of the fracking ever, ongoing discussion and debate about the practice of fluid that is left over after the fracking has taken place. A fracking. percentage of the water returns to the surface, along with Vertical fracking has been around since the 1800’s. It is viewed as a final extraction effort on previously drilled areas. The drill is set into the ground vertically and sequesters the remnants of natural gas from tapped out oil reservoirs. Horizontal fracking has increased the extraction of natural gas by drilling horizontally into the shale layers underground. The drill goes down vertically and then is turned to go horizontally through the shale in order to fracture the rock layer and free up the gas (1). Although natural gas extraction via fracking has existed since the late 1800’s (vertical fracking), the technology and energy demands have greatly changed since then (horizontal fracking). The country remains divided, and largely uninformed, on the issue. Shale is a dense layer of sedimentary rock deep underground. Trapped within the shale rock formations is natural gas - known as shale gas(2). These rock layers can be fractured with large drilling equipment and fracking fluid- two to five million gallons of freshwater, a protected recipe of
the added chemicals and whatever heavy metals and materials it may have picked up underground. This toxic fluid is difficult to treat, so it is stored in injection wells(5). An injection well stores the toxic brine underground. This is often regarded as the best method for storage (as we are not currently equipped to effectively treat the water); however, concerned citizens and landowners disagree. There is a risk that the chemicals in the brine will leak into nearby water sources and through permeable areas undergroundcontaminating the land and water. Hydraulic fracturing provides us with an alternative to a reliance on coal, but there is much controversy in terms of environmental impact- the uptake of freshwater, the chemical brine has to be stored somewhere, and the integrity of the rock formation beneath our feet is compromised- as many attribute earthquakes to the fractured rock layers and mismanaged injection wells. Youngstown, Ohio reported seismic activity after the introduction of fracking in their area (6) (the previous earthquake record being 0 in Youngstown).
For many, the dilemma boils down to jobs vs. the environment. With unemployment rates high and the economy in a recession, fracking offers a tempting (albeit temporary) solution. Hydraulic fracturing has given the Photo: smurfage.deviantart.com United States an energy reserve and brings the promise of new jobs and booming rural economies in the coming years. chemicals, and sand(3). Landowners are given monetary compensation to sell mineral A national survey conducted in 2010 reported that less than rights (if they own them), and for many, it may be a chance to half (45%) of Americans are somewhat aware of hydraulic provide for their families. But the negative environmental fracturing(4). Nevertheless, fracking has been making an impacts also play a role in the nation’s divided opinions on increased appearance on national news outlets in recent the topic. We are a culture dependent on fossil fuels. Until we months. Natural gas extraction and “clean coal” were hot as a nation can agree on what should be upheld as a priority, issues for the 2012 presidential election. It just so happens the debate will continue. that swing states, Ohio and Pennsylvania sit on top of the largest shale formations in the United States: Marcellus and 1. http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/whats-fracking Utica shale. 2013 brought us the contemporary film Promised 2. http://www.ehelpfultips.com/list_of_shale_gas_formations_in.htm 3. http://www.cleanwateraction.org/page/fracking-dangers Land; this well intentioned movie begins to address the 4. Survey: Drinking Water Pollution Concerns Fueling Awareness Among Americans of Fracking Used to Extract Natural Gas; http:// controversies of fracking and the financial game of land leasing. However, it falls short in expanding public knowledge www.civilsocietyinstitute.org/media/a122110release.cfm 5. http://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/our-programs/fracking/whats-wrongand awareness on the current environmental issues with-fracking-2/wastewater/ 6. http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/03/youngstown-rocks-issurrounding natural gas extraction. Competing fracking-causing-earthquakes-in-ohio.html
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Research
Bekky Hobson
Ohio University Receives $2 Million to Clean Up Fracking Wastewater As fracking continues to be a regular occurrence throughout Ohio, OHIO faculty are stepping into the conversation to help find sustainable solutions. The Institute for Sustainable Energy and the Environment's (ISEE) Ohio Coal Research Center has just received over 2 million dollars for a research project focusing on remediating the wastewater from fracking. The grants have come mostly from the federal government via the Department of Energy and the Research Partnership to Secure Energy for America. Heading the project and the principal investigator is Jason Trembly, Associate Director of the Ohio Coal Research Center, who has developed the technology. His team members include David Balis, Director of the Ohio Coal Research Center, David Young, the Associate Director of the Corrosion and Multiphase Technology Institute, Ben Stuart Director of ISEE and Natalie Kruse, from the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs. This project will have two purposes. One will be to clean up the flowback and reduced water that is generated by the hydraulic fracturing wells and the second will be to reduce the amount of water intensity throughout the process. “Basically we can reduce the amount of water that is having to be extracted from local watersheds and aquifers to actually develop shale wells,” said Trembly. “It will also mitigate the risk associated with handling wastewaters from oil and gas wells.” This technology will have major impacts on the many spheres surrounding fracking. It will improve conditions in both the private and public spheres, explains Trembly. The two major issues it will address are the availability of water for fracking and management of flowback and
produced water. “It would reduce the water intensity of the hydrofracturing process because we're reusing wastewater and limiting the amount of water we're having to remove from the local watersheds, which is good for the environment,” said Trembly. There are many public concerns revolving around fracking. This technology will help improve upon many public issues that surround infrastructure, such as traffic, waste water spills and repairs of roads and bridges. Less water intensity means less water has to be hauled from site to site and the haul of wastewater away from sites by the massive trucks. This system will have returns and feedbacks, almost creating a loop. The wastewater from other fracking sites will be treated and then used again in the injection process, thus creating a more sustaining system within itself. “We are keeping the water within the shale plant itself, which is going to increase overall efficiency,” said Trembly. For this project, the Ohio Coal Research Center has also garnered industrial partnership with Aquionics Inc., Hess Corporation and Parker Hannifin Corporation. “ I think if we execute properly it's going to open a lot of doors for researches within university to work with industry and government to develop solutions for shale gas oil,” said Trembly. As of now, the technology has only been tested on a bench scale. This project will put the technology to test on a prototype or pilot scale and allow the team to acquire more accurate engineering information and to assess the cost competitiveness of the technology, all leading to a commercial scale process design. More importantly, this project is furthering OU's commitment to a sustainable future and better energy solutions. “It's putting OU's sustainability efforts on a nation platform as a nationally funded project selected with other major universities that are doing research in this area,” said Trembly. “It shows that we're helping develop real solutions to current world problems.”
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Food Waste
Austin Stahl
You probably don’t think twice when you take a bite out of that “shookie” from Shively or when you dive into the new wok bar at Nelson Dining Hall. You might not even think twice about tossing out that half-eaten piece of pizza. However, the reality is, there is a long and complicated process behind what ends up on your plate, and how it is disposed of. Obviously, food doesn’t just appear. It is grown, harvested, shipped, processed, cooked, and then eaten or disposed of. Culinary Services and the Office of Sustainability at Ohio University have been working hard to: make our campus food system more efficient; reduce food waste in the dining halls and preparation process; and, responsibly managing the food waste that is produced. In America, approximately 40 percent of our food gets wasted, costing us $165 billion, 25 percent of our freshwater supply, and 4 percent of the oil we consume(1). Globally, 33 percent of food is wasted, which equates to close to 1.3 billion pounds(2). This is particularly astounding when you consider that 17.2 million households in the United States are food insecure (3). Some of food waste, such as rotten harvests or food preparation scraps, is una-
voidable. Though, the reality is that much of it is simply wasted. In the 2010-2011 school year, $76,091 worth of food was thrown away at OU, according to a document provided by Culinary Services. The majority of this comes from post-consumer waste thrown away by student diners. On campus, we are taking measures to reduce our amount of waste and also utilize the valuable resource of organic waste. The organic waste on campus (including food scraps and landscape waste) is composted, a natural process in which matter is broken down and turned it into a nutrient-rich soil amendment. This soil amendment is used on campus grounds in replace of harmful petroleum-based fertilizers commonly used in landscaping. Composting also prevents methane gas from being released into the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is released when organic waste rots in a landfill. This greenhouse gas has a heat-trapping potential 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide(4). This year, the most significant effort to divert our organic waste on campus from the landfill was the expansion of OHIO’s composting facility. Before the addition, OHIO already had the largest in-vessel composting system of any college or university nationwide. That system allowed in the university to capture approximately 40 percent of institutional food waste. Now, with the addition of a 6 on expandable unit, the university has the capacity to compost all organic waste generated on the Athens campus. Annie Laurie Cadmus, the Director of the Office of Sustainability, said she was impressed with the university in implementing this project. "I think it's really unique that Ohio University 5
already had the largest in-vessel composting system in the nation and, yet, still had the energy, the initiative and the leadership to say ‘we don't do this for the recognition. We're doing this because we care about the environment; we care about educating students. We're committed to being strong leaders in sustainability,’ and so they pursued to expand the system," Cadmus said This is a significant step in helping the university reach its goals outlined in the Sustainability Plan: a 5 percent reduction in solid waste every year between 2011 and 2016. Last fall, Culinary Services completed the renovation of the Central Food Facility, where food is processed before being sent out to the dining halls. This has helped culinary services cut down on its pre-consumer waste. Culinary Services is also moving forward with a renovation of their Vegetable Preparation facilities, which will allow it to make more use of local food. The goal in the Sustainability Plan is a 0.5 percent increase per year of local food between 2011 and 2016. Still, the most significant challenge for Culinary Services and the Office of Sustainability is getting students to throw away less food. “There’s only so much that the Office of Sustainability and Dining Services can do with education and sustainability,” Cadmus said. “We can’t control the amount of food that students throw out. So, we’re really relying on our student body to become leaders in this initiative.”
Learn more about the composting process at Ohio University by checking out this video created by Office of Sustainability staff member Evan Gruskiewicz! Sources: 1. http://www.nrdc.org/living/eatingwell/files/foodwaste_2pgr.pdf 2. http://www.fao.org/docrep/014/mb060e/mb060e00.pdf 3. http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts% 202002.htm#Number_of_hungry_people_in_the_world 4. http://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/thegreengrok/co2equivalents/ 6
For Rent: OHIO Ecohouse
8133 Dairy Lane, Athens: This rustic, fully-furnished 3-bedroom house is the ideal setting for any undergraduate or graduate student interested in learning about sustainable living. Residents of the house enroll in a one-credit Ecohouse Seminar each semester to enhance the experience and support students in their interest with sustainable projects. Residents are encouraged to participate in professional and personal development activities during their time in the house. Residents develop strong leadership & communication skills, explore professional development opportunities, become better prepared for a job search and gain valuable skills.
No ap w ac c pli cat epti n 20 13 ions g -20 fo 14 r !
House Features: Solar Panels Solar Thermal Large yard Fire pit Storage shed Fully-furnished Front porch Access to hiking trails Compost bin and vermi-composter Rain barrel and grey water systems Free Community Garden plot for each resident Large kitchen (appliances and utensils provided!)
To apply, send an email to: sustainability@ohio.edu
ohio.edu/ecohouse 7
Living Tips
(Liz Emley)
USE TECHNOLOGY WISELY 1. Technology consumes a great deal of energy, so turn off and unplug devices when not in use. 2. Charge your laptop, phone, and other batteries only when they need it. Constantly charging them consumes excess energy, and it contributes to a shorter-lasting battery life. Unplug chargers when not in use. 5. Technology is an amazing thing, but it should be used productively. Instead of watching TV for a few hours, read a book or go outside and enjoy nature.
Photo: Digitpedia
3. Go conflict-free by supporting companies who purchase minerals that are only from fair, safe sources. 4. Make use of technology’s efficiency: Speed up the cooking process by using a microwave, or toaster oven print double-sided papers at the library, and take advantage of public transportation,
Personal Sustainability
Megan Graver
Multi-task! Get a workout while you commute. Instead of driving to class or the grocery store, try biking instead. This can make huge impacts even if it’s just once a week. Pick a day where the weather is favorable and enjoy the fresh air.
Eco Reps is a student organization devoted to educating students about ways to “go green.” They put on residence hall programs, help the Office of Sustainability with RecycleMania and Energy Challenge, and participate in various Earth Month events. To Learn More, Contact: Liz Emley - President
ee244409@ohio.edu 8
Sustainable Transit: Aviation
Megan Graver
Watching an airplane take off doesn’t often elicit thoughts of a sustainable practice. These fuelhungry supersonic transporters are trolling the skies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Other than continued progress to generate sustainable aircraft designs, what else can be done to make air travel a more eco-efficient means of transportation? Columbus Regional Airport Authority (CRAA) is doing their part to figure that out. How? By focusing their Photo: Bestandworstever.blogspot.com efforts on the ground. include motion sensors and LED lighting, but more importantly, and often a challenge, employee The Office of behavior changes. Energy and Environment at CRAA, created in http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 2008, aloha75/4449274096/ incorporates several core services into its mission such as environmental compliance, energy management and community outreach. In charge of the operation is Paul Kennedy, an individual who has seen both the business side as well as environmental side of working at CRAA.
“You can set up all the programs you want, but people are funny,” stated Kennedy when discussing how people are a huge factor in the success or failure of the energy and environmental projects he is in charge of. Installing more efficient lighting is just the first step to energy conservation.
“The energy you don’t use is the cheapest energy to save. Don’t look out on the market to get better lighting when you can just turn the light Since 2009, a multitude of goals have been off,” insisted Kennedy. In his experience at CRAA, accomplished to create a more efficiently-run he has learned that it is difficult to control people’s airport. A switch to propane parking shuttles and actions even if programs and new technology are use of electric vehicles during the warm-weather in place. However, as a businessman turned months has successfully lowered airport vehicle environmental man, he believes any employee can emissions. Furthermore, the addition of a cell be taught environmental skills just as he was. phone lot for drivers who, to avoid paid parking, In addition to changes inside CRAA, the had previously circled the airport while waiting to enterprise has connections with many pick up friends or family allows an additional organizations outside the walls of the airport, both decrease in vehicle emissions . Lighting upgrades locally and nationally. Creating a network of have resulted in significant energy reductions each airports around the country allows exchange of year since implementation. These upgrades ideas and advice on what works and what doesn’t 9
“The energy you don’t use is the cheapest energy to save.” -Kennedy on teaching employees to be more sustainable
when it comes to implementing environmentally-friendly programs at an airport. More locally, CRAA is involved with a number of Columbus-based groups, including the City of Columbus Mayor’s Green Team and the OSU-funded Walnut Action Group. In addition, the airport makes an effort to reduce noise pollution and takes complaints from neighbors very seriously.
With the aforementioned environmental practices in place and many more projects currently underway, CRAA is staying in step with the industry. The Office of Energy and Environment, which Kennedy hopes will grow in size in 2013, is aiming to recruit the entire CRAA community to join in their goal to better both the airport and the surrounding community. Kennedy summed up the importance of community Photo: Pixabay.com involvement by stating, “Don’t go around saying I will clean this airport up, just one person. You need everyone.”
Are you sick of the cold and snow? Wishing it was spring? Shake off the winter blahs with a visit to the Athens Farmer’s Market! Don’t have a car? Don’t want to drive in the weather? No problem! The Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs’ Environmental Studies Program is providing a FREE shuttle on February 16 at 10:30 AM to take students to the Market and back. The Farmer’s Market Express leaves from outside Upper Baker Center, returning at 11:30 AM. If there is enough interest, more than one trip can be made. Each trip can accommodate ten riders. The Farmer’s Market Express has run twice this academic year in November and January. This is your last chance to catch the shuttle for this year! Come on out and experience our great farmers’ market, going strong for forty years. You’ll find local foods, produce, and other goodies you can only get at the Market. As an added bonus, during the winter, many of the vendors are inside the mall for your comfort. For more information or to reserve your seat, email Penny Morgan at ps232905@ohio.edu.
Photo: Megan Graver
This event is made possible, in part, thanks to a Sustainability Mini Grant from the Office of Sustainability at Ohio University.
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Architecture
Megan Graver
Ohio University Incorporating Sustainability Into Campus Housing Construction Project Construction cones will be visible on Ohio University’s campus during the next few years as old buildings are improved and new buildings are created. OU is in the midst of a 3-phase housing project that, when completed in 2021, will offer over 2,000 new beds and 1,800 renovated beds to campus, according to the Ohio University Housing Implementation Plan(1). Although still in Phase 1 of the project, plans are already in place to ensure that the buildings created in this phase, two new student housing facilities on the previous Wolfe Street Apartments location, will be LEED Silver certified. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a rating system developed in 2000 that assesses the design, construction and operation of a building, home or entire neighbourhood (3). Areas evaluated include: Sustainable site development Water efficiency Energy and atmosphere efficiency Materials and resources selection Indoor environmental quality The more points a building earns in each of these measures, the higher the LEED certification is. Ohio University will be designing the new housing facilities with these five categories in mind. According to Mike Russell, an architect working on the project,
Ways to earn points toward LEED certification(2)
Prevent loss of soil due to stormwater runoff and/or wind erosion and prevent pollution of air during construction
Promote alternative transportation to the building, including preferential parking for low emissions vehicles and bicycle storage
Minimize and control entry of pollutants into buildings
Reduce water use 20% from baseline Include on-site renewable energy
the team is still in the concept design phase but they hope to incorporate a number of sustainable practices and products into the plan. Even before designs for the new buildings were underway, sustainability was playing a role in the OU Housing Development Plan. Project Manager for the demolition, Terry Baxter-Potter reports “Concrete and brick from the Wolfe/Ullom apartments was crushed on site and used to create the base course for the parking lot that is currently at that site.” In addition, entry lights and stone from the building entrances were salvaged. The project manager is hopeful that the recovered stone can be reused in the new residence halls. Other items saved by the contractor included cupolas, copper pipe and steel, according to Baxter-Potter.
Sources: 1. http://www.ohio.edu/housing/publicprivate/upload/ImplementationPlan.pdf 2. http://new.usgbc.org/credits/new-construction/v2009 3. http://www.nrdc.org/buildinggreen/leed.asp 11
Green Tech
Jaymie Tighe
SolarKindle Lighted Cover The SolarKindle Lighted Cover powers your favorite ereader while staying environmentally friendly. The form fitting cover is designed to charge your LED reading light and the Kindle itself without draining the battery life. The SolarKindle’s retail price is $79.99 however its “green” benefits definitely outweigh the cost. Find it on Amazon! http://www.flickr.com/ photos/43602175@N06/4070018642/
Nest Ever wanted to control your thermostat while you’re out of the house? Nest is the most intelligent programmable thermostat on the market. Known as “The Learning Thermostat,” Nest learns your schedule, programs itself, and can be controlled from your phone. When the green leaf appears on the dial, you know you’re saving money. According to the Nest website, “If you teach it well, Nest can lower your heating and cooling bill by 20%.” The Nest costs $249 and only takes 30 minutes to install.
iRecycle
Click on the video above to learn how Nest works and how it can save you money while helping the environment!
Need to recycle but don’t know where to go? The app iRecycle is the most accessible way to get people engaged in their local recycling opportunities. iRecycle can tell you how, where and when to recycle just about anything. All you need is your current location to get started. The iRecycle app is available for iPhone, iPad and Android. 12
Perspectives Abroad Svetlana Bondareva is from the Kyrgyz Republic. She received her BA in Engineering from Issy-Kul State University, Karakol, Kyrgyzstan. She is currently a Fulbright Fellow and candidate for a Masters in Public Administration at the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.
Pronoy Rai
Svetlana: There are some similarities with Athens, but not many. My town is probably more diverse –there are families, youngsters, people from different communities, from different age groups, and different nationalities. Athens is surrounded by hills, but my hometown is surrounded by higher mountains.
Office of Sustainability Graduate Assistant, Pronoy Rai interviewed Bondareva for her perspectives on international issues in sustainability.
Pronoy: Tell us about yourself, Svetlana - the place you come from, and what you’re studying here at Ohio University.
Svetalana: I am from Karakul, in Kyrgyzstan. In my native language, “Karakul” means black hands. The population of my town is close to 70,000. It’s a very unique city, and is located close to the Isskyl lake. “Isskyl” means warm - the lake doesn’t freeze during winter because the water of the lake is quite salty. I have been studying public administration at the Voinovich School, focusing my studies on nonprofit management. I used to work for a non-profit in my country. After graduating from Ohio
Pronoy: What do you think about the alternative energy scenario in Kyrgyzstan - I am referring to the use of wind energy/solar energy/biofuels, and the like?
University, I would like to go back home, and Svetlana: Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s very contribute to the development of my town. good. There are several opportunities to use
Pronoy: How different do you think your home alternative sources of energy though – certain town is from Athens, and in what ways?
places in the country are windy places, while some get a lot of sunshine. Though, my government hasn’t 13
focused its attention on this issue at all. Access to at universities in your country? unrestricted electricity remains a problem in my country. Only about two years ago, we had access to electricity for only 12 hours every day, because the country did not have enough water to produce electricity. So, the government had to regulate the supply of electricity. In parts of my country, people still use coal, because they can’t really rely on the supply of electricity. People rationalize the use of electricity, when they get to access it.
Svetlana: Unfortunately, no. Although some NGOs* have been trying to bring this knowledge to the country, it’s not enough and they don’t have a lot of power with them. In my country, I think we need small-scale technologies, for instance those that can help conserve energy during winters in the houses. NGOs do get aid from development arms of foreign countries, energy costs in winters. NGOs back to home do get assistance from development
Pronoy: How are businesses and industries arms of foreign governments though. innovating in Kyrgyzstan to remain environmentally sustainable – has the government of your country shown interest in this area?
Pronoy: Did you happen to notice or read about any technological innovations in the US that could help further sustainable development in your
Svetlana: We don’t have a lot of industries in my country, or are there any innovations that happened country, although we have been trying to develop in
your
country
that
small
businesses
or
tourism as an industry. We have many lakes in the organizations here in the US could benefit from? country, and they are being polluted by industrial effluents and increased tourist activities. I doubt if our
government
is
aware
of
environmental
concerns, but they prioritize economic concerns over environmental ones. I don’t think that we should be prioritizing in this way because, in the long run, economic considerations may not be the best for the sustenance of our environment.
Svetlana: I enrolled in a practicum course in my program, and got a chance to work with a startup here in Athens, only to realize that the cost of innovation is high here. Also, the geographic conditions are different in both the countries. In my opinion, we should just not take ideas, but learn to apply them in local contexts - given how different geo-political and socio-economic contexts could be
Sustainable technologies tend to also be expensive, in both the countries. We do have great potential in and my country is poor. I think businesses want to our country, and our government could learn from make money quickly, and tend to favor cheaper the research being done here. Also, US alternative solutions to problems. energy companies could potentially invest in our
Pronoy: Is green innovation or sustainable country too, given the availability of resources. engineering/technology being taught and researched
*NGO = Non-government organization 14
Opportunities
Megan Graver & Jaymie Tighe
Run on the Ridges: Sunday, April 21st, 8:00 AM As winter drags on, it is sometimes difficult to be motivated to continue the practice of personal sustainability, such as exercising and eating healthy. Run on the Ridges, a 5k run put on by the Physical Therapy students at Ohio University, might be just the motivation you need to get moving again! Set a goal that will encourage you to push yourself. The goal could be finishing the race without walking or setting a personal record 5k time for the more experienced runners. Whatever your goal is, stick with your training throughout the next couple of months despite the unpredictable Ohio weather! Registration is $15 and more information will be available in the upcoming weeks so keep a look out online!
Climate Reality Presentation Join Dr. Hogan Sherrow, of OU’s Sociology and Anthropology Department, on February 20th in the Baker Theatre at 7 pm for Climate Reality, part of the Green Education Series.
Sustainability Film Series Throughout the Spring semester the English department is screening a film series on different documentaries or movies that confront various issues related to sustainability.
Like us on Facebook to stay in touch with event announcements, videos, film notes, and discussion questions. You may also contact us there, should you be unable to reach us at this e-mail (ousustainable@gmail.com).
Athens Beautification Day: April 14th 12:00 – 3:00 All students and community members are encouraged to participate in Athens Beautification Day. After a pep-rally style introduction by the OU President and Vice President as well as the Athens Mayor, participants will break off into groups to complete projects around campus such as picking up trash, planting flowers and clearing brush. After the work is done, participants are offered free lunch provided by local businesses. Help Athens stay beautiful and enjoy some fresh air while meeting new people! For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/events/323942504389037/. 15
Volunteer If you’re looking to get some community service hours, check out a nonprofit environmental organization right here in Athens. Community Food Initiatives (CFI) supports the local food movement by maintaining community gardens, collecting and donating fresh food, and providing educational programs for children in the county. Interested? Contact: cfi@communityfoodinitiatives.org or call: 740.593.5971
What’s your niche? Chances are, there is an opportunity that is just right for you at Rural Action. This program strives to revitalize Appalachian Ohio via fostering of the environment and local economy as well as celebrating the rich traditions of the region. Over 20 different volunteer positions, both short-term and ongoing, are posted. A few that caught my eye were environmental education volunteer and research and journalism volunteer. The organization even encourages individuals to create their own positions to match their interests. A sure-fire way to “green up” your resume and help a great cause! For more information, visit http://ruralaction.org/get-involved/volunteer/.
Interested in contributing to Routes? We are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to help write, design and photograph for the next publication of Routes. Tap into your creative abilities and get involved with the Office of Sustainability by contacting editors Megan Graver at mg378107@ohio.edu or Jaymie Tighe at jt111109@ohio.edu for more information. If your area of interest lies elsewhere, there are a variety of different volunteer and internship positions available to students. Develop valuable skills for your future career and help the Office of Sustainability achieve its mission. To learn more, email sustainability@ohio.edu with a description of your area(s) of interest.
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Expressions
Spotlight on Found Art
Every issue of Routes features the creative work of a local artist. This issue highlights “The Void”, an exhibit by Katelyn Renner, a senior at Ohio University. This is an example of found art. Katelyn uses materials collected at local consignment thrift stores. Below is a description of her exhibit from the artist. “Much of my current work is influenced largely on the environment around me, not only on the
basis that I am required to work outside but I find that being immersed in a natural landscape provides an incredible amount of inspiration. I am forced to interact with the environment, which has led me to practice sustainability not only in my personal life, but to reflect it heavily in my art as well. All of the sculptures I create are made of used materials-- mostly plastic toys-- acquired from consignment shops and garage sales. I find it rewarding to make art not with rare, expensive, materials, but to utilize the resources around me by benefiting local businesses while saving money and staying efficient in my process.”
If you are a student, faculty or staff member and are interested in having your work featured, send a biography, and jpgs or word documents featuring your work to sustainability@ohio.edu 17
Question to the reader: What do you think makes artwork sustainable?
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Around Campus
Alex Slaymaker
accessible element from the altered soil to continue flowering and producing seeds (both requirements of reproduction). If a plant lacks the appropriate fungi interactions to absorb adequate amounts of phosDr. Jared DeForest, Associate Professor of Enviphorus, it will not survive in this new environment. ronmental and Plant Biology at Ohio University Successful partners will increase in prevalence and kicked off the first Science Café talk of spring semes- have simplified root structures due to their dependter with an interactive presentation of his recent re- ence on partners instead of roots for nutrient upsearch. He began his speech titled ‘Chemical Climate take. As the composition of the environment shifts, Change and Sustainability’ by asking the audience, so must its inhabitants. Some species will flourish in “What is climate, and what is climate change?” After this new chemical climate, and others will likely pera mixture of shouted and muttered answers, Defor- ish. Natural and induced ecological succession results est responded, “It’s also about the changing chemical in both winners and losers, determined by which environment of our planet.” He then began to tell a species possesses the most favorable characteristics. story of immense change in a place very relevant to DeForest admittedly doesn’t know the full implicahis audience: Southeastern Ohio. His story begins tions of his research yet because his studies are fairly with the massive widespread burning of fossil fuels for electricity (although transportation plays a role as early and localized to the Ohio River Valley. The well), and ends with a totally new chemical environ- connected stories of acid rain, shifting systems, and climate change itself are all lacking something very ment. important: an ending. DeForest plans to continue his Acid deposition in America due to the burning of research and assured his audience of his confidence fossil fuels has greatly decreased since 1996 after in- that life will not cease to exist due to the Earth’s creased regulation targeted the issue in the Clean changing climate. However, he made perfectly clear Air Act amendments of 1990. The Ohio River Valley life as we know it might do just that. remains a hotspot due to the area’s abundance of coal-fired power plants, which pump acidic nitrogen Science Cafés are a venue for students and sulfur compounds into the atmosphere. These interested in the sciences to informally elements are not causing the temperature to increase like greenhouse gases, but they are greatly share their interests during a conversationaltering the chemical and biological composition of al exchange with faculty, staff and the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. To illustrate the community in a friendly setting. consequences of acid rain, DeForest passed around All cafés start promptly at 5:00 pm, cups of local soil and squirt bottles of 10 percent hyWednesday's, in the Front Room located in drochloric acid and asked the audience to add the the top of Baker Center. acid to the soil and observe. He informed the audience that the bubbles they were observing were reFree coffee for the first 50 people. leasing calcium carbonate into the atmosphere, a natFeb. 20: Mario Grijalva, Biomedical Sciences ural process which human activity is accelerating. Feb. 27: Michele Morrone, Environmental Sciences The release of calcium from soil due to the addition Mar 20: John Sabraw, Art of acid rain results in prematurely aging soil as well Mar. 27: Tom Hodson, Journalism as the decreased accessibility of usable phosphorus in Apr. 3: Geoff Buckley, Geography the soil for plants. Plants must depend more heavily on their ‘fungi partners’ to help them extract the in-
The Winners and Losers of Climate Change
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Setting Standards for a Sustainable Fuel Economy Lisa Kefalos
New law mandates cars to achieve 54.5 MPG by 2025 With the age of technology on the rise this past decade, a new wave of technological innovation has arrived-in particular, within the environmental sector.
2025(1). With this fresh change in priority, new management, practices and projects are soon to be underway.
Approaches vary among auto companies Stringing together both policy initiatives and tech- to spur creative changes nological innovation, we are living in a time where in products to satisfy business, policy and the environment have made a standard needs. Some turning point in the potential of our lifestyle choices. may prose change in enUnderstanding this critical time to bridge new sus- gine and transmission figurations, vehicle weight, and or vehicle accessories. tainability efforts with business, the Obama adminAs technology advances, more possibilities are istration passed new fuel efficiency standards, compelling automakers to transform fuel consumption as brought online to the market. we know it. The Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFÉ) program, implemented criteria for the average fuel economy to be 54.5 miles per gallon for cars and light-duty trucks for the 2025 model year(1) It is predicted that American families will save more than $1.7 trillion dollars in fuel costs. Additionally, saving 12 billion barrels of oil and reducing oil consumption by more than 2 million barrels a day by
Save money Better gas mileage Less fuel stops Insurance discounts Cheaper vehicle repairs Less greenhouse gas emissions Less air pollutants Reduce oil dependence costs Reduce climate change More energy sustainable Protect the environment
Left: The usual buzz of Ohio University residents and visitors coming and going on Court Street. Obama’s new law will have impacts even here in Athens, as new cars created under the ground-breaking MPG criteria begin showing up all over the city.
Source: 1. http://www.nhtsa.gov/fuel-economy 20
Food:Valentine’s Day Edition
Jaymie Tighe
Vegan Cookies Makes about 5 dozen 2 1/2 inch cookies Vegan Cookies: 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup soft coconut oil 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/2 teaspoon lemon extract 2 1/2 unbleached all-purpose flour 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar Icing: 2 cups powdered sugar 2 tablespoons coconut milk
In a large bowl, beat powdered sugar, salt, coconut oil, coconut milk, and vanilla. Stir in flour, cornstarch, baking soda and cream of tartar until blended. If dough is too crumbly, add a little more milk until it comes together. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Divide dough in half. Roll each dough half to 1/4 inch thickness on a floured surface and cut out with cookie cutters. Dough may need to warm up a little before it's easy to roll out. Place shapes on the cookie sheet 2 inches apart and bake 7-8 minutes until edges just begin to turn golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. To make icing, place powdered sugar and milk in a small bowl. Whisk until smooth. Spread on cooled cookies or use a piping bag to make designs. Use sprinkles, natural food coloring or sanding sugar to decorate.
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Farm Fresh Quiche Wondering how to use up your winter CSA? Try making a comforting quiche that’s great for breakfast, lunch or dinner! Crust: - 2 cups flour - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon garlic powder - Dash of nutmeg - ¼- ½ cup vegetable oil - ¼ cup water Method: Mix dry ingredients. Slowly add liquid ingredients until pea sized chunks form. Press into pie pan. Set aside. Filling: - 3-5 cups chopped kale, chard and mushrooms (any veggies will do!) - 1 cup shredded cheese (any cheese will do!) - 6 eggs - 1 cup milk or cream - 2 tablespoons water - 1 teaspoon salt - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon onion powder - ½ teaspoon nutmeg Method: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Sauté vegetables in olive oil for approximately 5 minutes. Pour off any excess liquid. Spoon mixture into bottom of pie crust. Sprinkle cheese on top of vegetables. Beat together remaining ingredients until foamy. Pour egg mixture over vegetables and cheese. Place in preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until top is golden brown. Allow to cool 10-15 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in airtight container in fridge and reheat on low setting in a microwave or toaster oven.
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Will you be my SOULmate? Sustainable Ohio University Leaders Do you have a passion for preserving the environment? Want to make a positive impact in your campus, community, and world? Here’s your chance to make a difference:
SOUL
Sustainable OU Leaders is a new group on campus comprised of faculty, staff, and students who are working to implement the university’s Sustainability Plan and Climate Action Plan. We are looking for passionate individuals to help us take action and spread sustainability.
Benefits of Participation: Improve skills in leadership, communication, networking, and policy development Potential for regional and national marketing of efforts Gain professional development experience in sustainability and how it applies to a variety of disciplines Contribute to leading efforts in furthering sustainability at Ohio University
Student Information Session Monday, February 18th at 5:00pm Baker Center 231 www.ohio.edu/sustainability/
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“I Want To Change The World... But I Don’t Know How.” Join the Ohio University Office of Sustainability! Visit Our Website
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