Be Green: BU’s Sustainability Efforts
BU’s plans to become a more sustainable campus.
By Layne Sheplee
In recent years, there has been a worldwide drive toward sustainability. Brands are ditching plastics, recycling is on the rise, and organizations are striving to reach net zero emissions. With plans, initiatives, and student efforts in place, Boston University is no stranger to the sustainability movement.
Here are some ways BU is going green:
In 2017, BU rolled out a Climate Action Plan in order to prepare BU for climate change and become a more environmentally-conscious campus. New standards for buildings and construction were implemented by BU, like adhering to LEED certification, the world’s largest green building rating system. So far, BU has 25 LEED-certified buildings, including residences, classrooms, and other student, faculty, and alumni centers. The Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences boasts a platinum LEED rating, the highest on the scale, and is Boston’s largest fossil fuel-free building. CDS utilizes wells to harness Earth’s thermal capacity for heating and cooling and eliminate the need for a gas line in the building. It also has energy-efficient infrastructure and a first-floor elevation that reduces the risk of flooding. All new building projects produced by BU will be energy efficient, have resilient designs, reduce waste, and meet LEED gold standards.
Another large part of BU’s plan is to reach net zero direct emissions by 2040. BU is already making progress towards that goal by using renewable energy sources. Did you know that BU’s electricity comes from South Dakota? The university purchases electricity from a BU-sponsored wind farm as part of its Climate Action Plan. The project, BU Wind, reduces BU’s carbon emissions by 53%. Additionally, BU Solar installations on campus support the local renewable energy economy and provide educational and research opportunities for students.
There are also a number of BU students fighting for the environment. BU Closet is a club that hosts free clothing drives and swaps to keep old clothing out of landfills and reduce waste. They collect donated clothing from students, organize it, and present it back to the BU community free of charge. Other sustainability-focused organizations exist on campus, like The Environmental Student Organization, which increases awareness about environmental issues through events and projects, The BU Geological Society, which strives to raise awareness about sustainability and the environment, and BU Community Gardens, a group that harvests plants at each of the three community gardens on campus, in addition to hosting talks and events on agriculture and community engagement.
Do your part to save the environment and get involved with sustainability efforts at BU!
Comments