Team G^2 White Paper Project

7/23/2019 Team G^2 White Paper Project

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GREEN, GREEN & MORE GREEN

Team G^

Courtney Kelihe

James Morton-Hick

Travis Michae

Valencia Mos

ENC 3250 -Professional Wrin

Professor: Dr. Francis Tobienne, Jr

November 18th, 201


2/25Going Green

Table of ontents

Executive Summary...Page 2

Introduction ..Page 3

Green Buildings....Page 4

Corporate Buildings

University Buildings

Residential

Communities ...Page 9

Programs

Clubs & Projects......Page 11

Conclusion...Page 14

Bibliography ..Page 16


3/25Going Green

Execuve SummaryRaising awareness for our environment

The University of South Florida has committed to emit 80

percent less carbon dioxide than it did in the 2009 school year.

This pledge was expanded, on Earth Day 2013, when the St. Pe-

tersburg campus agreed to the American College and University

Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and pledged to

achieve a zero carbon footprint on campus.

The tiered plan set forth by University of South Florida

calls for four reduced emission goals set over time. The first goal

is a 10 percent reduction in total Greenhouse Gas emissions by

the year 2015. The next goal will be a 20 percent reduction in

Greenhouse Gas emissions by the year 2025. It is in the third

emissions person that the University of South Florida will strive

to reach a lofty 50 percent reduction in harmful emissions by the


4/25Going Green

Execuve Summary ContdRaising awareness for our environment

Through efforts coordinated with the Patel College of

Global Sustainability, the University of 2050 South Florida will

achieve emissions goals. The current focus has been on using

more energy efficient materials in university owned properties.

Solar arrays are being retrofitted to many university buildings to

generate emissions free electricity. LED lights and water restric-

tive bathroom fixtures are being used to reduce the amount of en-

ergy and water wasted by our university. The university Vehicle

emissions are being reduced by encouraging alternative methods

of transportation and the use of fuel efficient vehicles.

As technology continues to produce more efficient meth-

ods of energy generation and consumption, the University of

South Florida will be on the leading edge of the going green ef-

fort. The Patel College of Global Sustainability will continue to


5/25Going Green

Introducon

If someone were to walk onto the USFSP campus, they

would immediately come across evidence of USFSPs green

efforts in becoming an eco-footprint free campus. USFSP is in-

volved in becoming sustainable and aims to create an eco-

footprint free campus by 2018. USFSPs efforts in becoming a

completely green campus have lead to solar panel installations,

green methods of transportation, water efficiency designs, prop-

er waste disposal, student organizations and clubs, social aware-

ness events, and many other forms of forming a green campus.


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WHY ARE BUILDINGS GOING GREEN?

Going green and the initiatives it includes has a great im-

pact on the human life, the economy and our environment. As

we engage and/or accept green building strategies, we not only

take advantage of the environment and economic performance

but we capitalize on various other areas as well. With the ad-

vancement of technology green construction methods can be

built into the buildings at any point and phase. It can be done at

the beginning of a building project, or anywhere in between. It

can also be added to a structure already build. Of course if eve-

rything is done in the beginning it does make for a smoother pro-

cess. Green buildings come with many benefits such as the fol-

lowing :

Environmental benefits

Protects our ecosystem

Water & Air Quality are improved

Natural resources are conserved

Going Gree


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LEED

Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design

CERTIFIEDSILVERGOLDPLATINUM

WHY ARE BUILDINGS GOING GREEN? CONTD

Economic benefits

Productivity is increased via machinery and

manpower

Operating Costs are reduced

Social benefits

Community Involvement, Awareness &

consciousness

G

CERTIFICATIONS

LEED What is Leed, LEED, or Leadership in Energy &

Environmental Design, is a green building certification program

that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To

receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites

and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. The

LEED certification program has 4 certified levels, Certified Lev-

el, range 40-49 points, Silver Level 50 59 points, Gold Level

60 79 points and Platinum Level 80 points and up.


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LEED

Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design

CERTIFIEDSILVERGOLDPLATINUM

WHY ARE BUILDINGS GOING GREEN? CONTD

Going Gree

CERTIFICATIONS

LEED also recognizes best in class building strategies and

practices and USF is one of the leaders in green energy conservations

when it comes to the buildings. We hold the certification level of Gol

for many projects namely our Science and Technology Building and

our University Student Building. Dr. Kiran C. Patel Center for Globa

Solutions is dedicated to solving and implementing solutions for sus-

tainability on a global level. The ability to be able to use our environ-

ment and its contents as a recyclable tool to live and replenish it, sim

lar to the circle of life theory. There can be many reasons for going

green but the top three are cost savings, energy efficiency and environ


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EPA

ENVIRONMENTALPROTETIONAGENCY

The United States Environmental Protecon

Agency(EPAor somemes USEPA) is an

agencyof the U.S. federal government which

was created for the purpose of protecng

human health and the environmentby

wring and enforcing regulaons based on

laws passed by Congress.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Going Gree

According to the EPA, (Environmental Protection

Agency). Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall

impact of the built environment on human health and the natu-

ral environment by:

Efficiently using energy, water, and other resources

Protecting occupant health and improving employee

productivity

Reducing waste, pollution and environmental decay

The efforts for going green started back in the 19thcen-

tury and has evolved since then. Companies have since in-

vested billions of dollars into going green including invest-

ments into green buildings. It is believed that investments up-

ward of $960 billion dollars will be invested between now and

the year 2023. Green buildings has yielded 18.5% ROI

(Return on Investment) on average. It is important to note that


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EPA










Going Gree

How can going green within our buildings help

sustain the environment? Buildings would lend itself to

greater lighting, air conditioning, heating, windows and

plumbing fixtures & solar panels just to name a few key

areas. Solar Panels, image being able to receive sunlight

during the day to be able to power your home/buildings

throughout the evening. Being able to use our own re-

sources allows for such flexibility and liberty. These key

areas mentioned also allows for significantly lowered op-

erating costs, while protecting the environment and even to

ones individual health. Buildings account for an average

of 70% of electricity consumption. If you compare a green

buildings electricity bill to that of a non-green building the

difference is significantly different anywhere in the range

of 25 to 30% difference. If you take a look at the slide

below you will see that the better the certification of the


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EPA










Going Gree


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Going green isnt just for Universities and

Schools, you may ask what am I able to do as an indi-

vidual to help take care of my environment. Getting

involved is the first step, lets start with the home. If

you are wanting to make your home green there a num-

ber of simple things one can do to begin the process.

Programmable thermostats are a great tool to use to cut

costs on your bills and save energy. This will work for

you heating and cooling needs. You can also use fluo-

rescent and LED lamps/bulbs, although these type of

bulbs costs a little more than regular bulbs, you will def-

initely see the savings in your electricity bill. Next you

can change out your plumbing for low flowing fixtures.

Cities have participated in a program that was offering

new toilet bowls to the community in an effort to

conserve water. Energy Star appliances are another way

of saving, more and more GE, Maytag and other brands

are making their appliances energy efficient. Just look

for the Energy Star, Energy Star is a government pro-

gram that was started to reduce greenhouse gas emis-

sions and has become a trusted source and symbol when

trying to identify energy efficient appliances. Changing

out windows and/or adding weather stripping can help

as well. Another way you can save and make your


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All of these steps also allow for tax credits on an income tax return which can come in handy for that

summer vacation. As individuals we can also recycle paper, plastic and aluminum, whatever the situation

may be whether its the campus you attend school at, or the workplace, or a home going green, this is a con-

cept that can be applied by anyone, anywhere and at any given time. It not only saves the environment, it

saves on costs.

Going Gree


14/25Going Green

Programs & Communities

University leaders at USF St. Petersburg pledged to achieve climate

neutrality along with other campuses on Earth Day 2013, along with 685 un

versity leaders. By agreeing to the American College and University Presi-

dents Climate Commitment, the university will work towards the ultimate

goal of having a net carbon footprint of zero. One requirement of our new

commitment was to create a Climate Action Plan or CAP. David Vasquez,

the Secretary of Sustainable Initiatives and Chair of the Student Green Ene

gy Fund Committee has stated, The CAP will identify strategies and time-

lines for our campus to become carbon neutral. Strategies include increasin

energy efficiency, increasing our amount of recycling [and] installing more

renewable energy on campus (Tinti). One initiative of the Student Govern

ments Department of Sustainable Initiatives and the Garden Club is a Foo

Forest that will be located behind Residence Hall One. This new Food Fo

est will be used to achieve three main aspects. Firstly, it will attempt to use

resources efficiently and mimic nature. The second goal is to be a shining

example of urban agriculture giving people a way to grow their own produ

in a city environment. The last and most important is to challenge the issue

of food deserts, or impoverished areas with little access to fresh produce.

Vasquez explains, We hope to provide an example solution to the city of S

Petersburg and [surrounding] neighborhoods, and show them they can have

access to fresh fruits and vegetables by creating community gardens (Tint


15/25Going Gree

Programs & CommunitiesContd

The data of our most recent Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Invento

conducted in May by the Clean Energy and Resource Conservation

Commission has shown the two largest sources of carbon came from

commuter vehicles and electricity use. The first challenge is to re-

duce carbon from commuter vehicles. On the Tampa campus USF

has launched a free shuttle service to reduce the number of cars driv

on campus daily. Currently, there are no plans for the shuttle at the

St. Petersburg or Sarasota campuses. The next best approach for

USFSP is to promote the use of hybrid and electric vehicles by facul

ty, students, and staff. In an effort to reduce GHG and promote the

use of these vehicles the USF system has installed free to use electri

vehicle charging stations. The St. Petersburg Campus currently has

four EV charging stations. The newest addition to the campus has

come from a collaborative effort with Duke Energy in the form of th

level 3 Nissan Quick Charger. Seven of these new Level 3 chargers

have been installed in the Tampa Bay area, but USFSP is the only

campus with one. The highly efficient chargers have the ability to

fully charge an electric vehicle in just thirty minutes. Since most

drivers will not require a full charge it is expected vehicles will only

require 15 minutes on this new rapid charging station, allowing mor

vehicles to use it throughout the day. The best part is this unit costs

$30,000 to manufacture and another $5,750 to install but was donate

to the university completely free. Surely, the reduction in Greenhou


16/25Going Green


We have good news for that as well, The solar panels that

are installed above the parking garage will reduce the

amount of energy used by the quick charger and regular

(Level 2) chargers, said USFSP sustainability coordinator

Jennifer Winter (Moscone). Duke Energy has also donated

and installed the solar panels to the university at zero cost. While

these new charging stations will reduce the carbon footprint from ve-

hicle emissions, the larger campus in Tampa will require more charg-

ing stations to meet the needs of its registered electric vehicles.

Patel College of Global Sustainability and Office of Sustaina-

bility have created a joint venture with student organizations for sus-

tainability to come up with another method to reduce Greenhouse Gas

emissions from commuter vehicles, since USF campuses are all high-

ly commuter oriented to begin with. The idea is that once a student is

on campus they have places to go and need an emissions free means

to get there. The Bike-A-Bull program is an on-campus bike sharing

program that opened Jan 14 for students on the St. Petersburg campus.

Currently on USFSP, this is a pilot program that is modeled after

Tampas Share-A-Bull-Bikes program consisting of over 100 bikes

for student use. To rent a bike for a 24 hour period students at USFSP

simply need to sign an agreement waiver and present a valid universi-

ty ID. After that they are given a list of traffic laws and assigned a

beach cruiser, two lights, a helmet, and a bike lock.


17/25Going Gree


While the program is a wild success in Tampa, the future of

the St. Petersburg program is not yet known. One major difference in

the programs is the USFSPs Bike-A-Bull program is absolutely free

to students at this time and the Tampa program charges fees for use

over two hours and further fees for failure to lock the bike to a desig-

nated bike rack. Currently, Alyssa Winston, the current director of

sustainable initiatives plans to add more bikes to the program. Ulti-

mately, student interest will determine if additional funding will go

into the Bike-A-Bull program. This program joins the U-Pass Pro-

gram, which allows anyone with a university ID to ride the Pinellas

Suncoast Transit Authority busses for free as an alternative to driving

ones own vehicle and to aid students without their own transporta-


18/25Going Gree

Clubs/Projects

In efforts to going green, students of USFSP collaborated

knowledge and attacked the same goals to create the Student Green

Energy Fund (SGEF). The goal for the students of the SGEF was

common to USFSPs; become a sustainable campus. This was the

idea of students who have the initiative to create a student organiza

tion to help USFSP reach their goals. However, to do so the stu-

dents persuasively approached and lobbied the board of Governors

of the Florida State University system to set up this fund to assist in

the financing for any of USFSPs green projects. In the spring of

2011, the SGEF was approved. In order to acquire this funding,

USFSP added a $1 fee per credit hour to the students (Weybrecht).


19/25Going Gree

Clubs/ProjectsContd

So what has the students $1 fee per credit hour done for the

campus so far? To begin, every garbage/recycling unit on campus

is the work of the SGEF. The Solar Doks, which are mostly locat-

ed by the waterfront, are there because of the SGEF. The LED

lighting in the parking garages is also a completed project by the

SGEF. Unique water fountains that are specifically made to fill

water bottles, is another project funded by the SGEF. The student

fitness center, where some of the cardio equipment generates pow-

er and sends it back to the grid; again, the SGEF. The SGEF has

an extensive history for making the USFSP campus a sustainable

one. To elaborate on some of the projects the SGEF funded, there

are 20 garbage/recycling bins on the USFSP campus. One of the

bins is for landfill and the other bin is for aluminum and plastic.

Additionally, these bins were made in the United States using 937

recycled milk jugs. Now, the Solar

Doks located by the waterfront are off

the grid outdoor table/umbrella/bench

units that are powered by solar panels.

The solar panels generate electricity

that is sent to the outlets, students are

then able to use the power generated to

charge their electrical devices. Also,


20/25Going Gree

Clubs/ProjectsContd

Regardless, reducing the emissions by almost s of what

the garage originally used is still an effective project. The bottle

refill stations throughout campus provide students with a touch

free form of refilling their water bottle. Each time these refill sta-

tions are used the station counts the amount of bottles it has re-

filled. Providing information on how many plastic bottles are be-

ing reused. The fitness center has been stocked with sustainable

cardio equipment. These treadmills, ellipticals, and stationary

bikes generate power just from a student or member working out!

Now thats killing two birds with one stone. These sustainable de-

vices use the power generated and send it right back to the grid,

generating power for as long as people use the equipment. The

fitness center has an indoor race called Save the Watts, where

students use the stationary bikes and race to generate the most

watts hours possible in a 30-minute period (Weybrecht).


21/25Going Gree

Clubs/ProjectsContd

So why is the SGEF doing all of this? Why do they even

take initiative to start such a fund? According to an article pub-

lished by Stanford University, there are plenty of reasons why re-

cycling is important. To clarify, since humans majorly occupy

planet Earth, it is our responsibility to take care of Earth. In the

1920s, 70% of US cities had recycling programs that picked up

certain materials. In the duration of World War II, industries re-

used and recycled about 25% of the waste stream (Stanford).

However, there was a lack of concern for the environment up until

the 1960s, where 7.7% of recycled material of the waste stream

were reused, and in 1990 increased from 7.7% to 17%. These are

just some fundamental routines that the world should add into the

everyday schedule. The environmental benefits of recycling con-

serve energy, reduce air and water pollution, reduce greenhouse

gases, and conserves natural resources (Stanford). As a reminder,

USFSP and the SGEF have already started this chain reaction to

conserve and protect the planet. The SGEF has bent over back-

wards to provide USFSPs campus with sustainable methods of

recycling. Whether it disposing of waste properly, finding ways to

be more efficient with their plastic usage, or even reducing the

amount electricity used by installing solar panels. So the big ques-


22/25Going Gree

Clubs/ProjectsContd

Perhaps it is not cost efficient for them right now, but there

are in fact economical benefits to recycling. To elaborate, compar-

ing the benefits of using recycled materials over raw materials. A

recycled material is already refined and has been used before. Re-

structuring the product back to its original state uses fewer re-

sources and conserves energy. An example provided by Stanford,

would be manufacturing aluminum cans. By using recycled alumi-

num manufacturing using 95 percent less energy than creating the

aluminum originally with bauxite (an ore that is used to form alu-

minum cans). The more green solutions are provided, the more

advance they will become. In result, recycling will be more bene-

ficial economically. Looking back at the SGEF, the involvement

with this student organization is incredible. These are motivated

students who understand that the world is changing, and as the

head occupants of this planet, are responsible to adapt. These stu-

dents understand that as the size of societies carbon footprint in-

creases, Earth slowly depreciates (Stanford).


23/25Going Green

CONCLUSION

The University of South Florida is making strides in numerous di-

rections to meet their goal of each the ultimate 2050 goal of climate neu-

trality. Students, staff, and the surrounding community are all taking part.

With this in mind, although the goal we have stepped out upon is steep, it

is certainly not unattainable. The University has paid notable attention to

its buildings, its campus community and message we send to the commu-

nity. Internal green innovations include water disposal and dispersal , en-

ergy efficient alternatives and changes (pertaining to solar projects and

lighting upgrades), as well as public transportation innovations and charg-

ing stations. The University of South Florida has expanded and nurtured

its green community into something that will only continue to grow. This

is evident because this movement aligns with the universitys five core

values of Commitment, Community, Excellence, Innovation, Integrity.

Being apart of this movement expands and strengthens USFs community

through unity of its students and staff, but also the world around us. If we

commit ourselves to good, that is what will come back to us tenfold. Our

commitment became clear on Earth Day in 2013, when we dedicated our-

selves to the American College and University Presidents Climate Com-

mitment. Since then, our changes have been remarkable and undeniable.

From 2050 and beyond, the possibilities are seemingly endless. Hopefully

upon concluding this paper, the reader(s) may be able to reach an unbi-

ased, well-rounded, educated decision as to if the University of South

Floridas goal is plausible, attainable and necessary.


24/25Going Gree

Glossary

BAUXITE --An amorphous clayey rock that is the chief commerciaore of aluminum. It consists largely of hydrated alumina with variable

proportions of iron oxides.

CARBON FOOTPRINT The amount of carbon dioxide and othe

carbon compounds emitted due to the consumption of fossil fuels by aparticular person, group, etc.

CERTIFICATIONthe act of making something official : the act ofcertifying something: official approval to do something professionally

or legally.

CLIMATE ACTION PLAN (CAP)A set of strategies intended to

guide efforts for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency is an agency of the U.S. fed

eral government which was created for the purpose of protecting hu-

man health and the environment by writing and enforcing regulations

based on laws passed by Congress.

ECONOMICALGiving good value or service in relation to the

amount of money, time, or effort spent.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV)An automobile that is powered entire

ly or partially by electricity..

ENVIRONMENTALRelating to the natural world and the impact o

human activity on its condition.

GREENHOUSE GAS A gas that contributes to the greenhouse

effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g., carbon dioxide and chloro

fluorocarbons.

LEEDLeadership In Energy & Environmental Design, is an interna

tional green building certification program .

POLLUTIONthe action or process of making land, water, air, etc.,dirty and not safe or suitable to use: substances that make land, water

air, etc., dirty and not safe or suitable to use.

SAVE THE WATTS Save the Watts is a competitive stationarybike race. The goal is to generate the most watts in a specific time per

od.

SOCIALRelating to or involving activities in which people spendtime talking to each other or doing enjoyable things with each other,


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Institute for building efficiency. http://

www.institutebe.com/clean-energy-finance/

green-building-costs.aspx

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

http://archive.epa.gov/greenbuilding/web/

html/about.html

US Green Building Council.

http://www.usgbc.org/leed#certification

Energy Star

https://www.energystar.gov

Yuming Liu, Xia Guo, Feiling Hu.

Cost-benefit analysis on green building ener-

gy efficiency technology application: A case

in China. 2013. Print Article

Williams, Glenda

Green buildings start paying off. Finweek

Article. September 2015. Magazine Print

USF Sustainability Website

LEED Certified Buildings (Green Buildings) USF Website http://www.usfsp.edu/

sustainability/green-buildings/

Moscone, Jack. "New Electric Vehicle

Charger Provides Full Charge in 30 Minutes."

The Crows Nest. The Crows Nest, 11 Nov.

2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Perkins, Bryana. "Bike Share Program

Launched." The Crows Nest. The Crows Nest,

11 Nov. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Tinti, Emily. "Erasing the Campus Carbon

Footprint." The Crows Nest. The Crows Nest,

11 Nov. 2015. Web. 10 Nov. 2015.

Weybrecht, Giselle

An Innovative Way to Making Your Campus

More Sustainable: The Student Green Energy

Fund.PRiMEtime.N.p., 17 Dec. 2012. Web.

11 Nov. 2015.

http://primetime.unprme.org/2012/12/17/an-innovative-way-to-making-your-campus-more

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