energy

Empowering college students: the vital role of energy conservation in shaping a sustainable future

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 22:06:38 +0000

Empowering college students: the vital role of energy conservation in shaping a sustainable future Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/12/2023 - 15:06

��«��Ƶ, a city known for its natural wonders and commitment to sustainability, presents an incredible opportunity for college students to actively participate in building a greener future. As we navigate our academic journeys, we can also shape ourselves into environmentally conscious community leaders who inspire positive change. Understanding and embracing the vital role of energy conservation while making mindful choices and adopting sustainable practices is a meaningful first step.

In the United States, electricity generation accounts for 25% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and with increasing EV and economic growth, the energy demand is expected to increase in coming years. Energy conservation makes a tangible impact on reducing GHG emissions and combating climate change, and empowers us to lead by example and contribute to a more sustainable world. By taking action and embracing energy-saving habits, we can inspire others and foster a culture of sustainability on our campuses and in our communities.

Although widely overlooked, it's important to remember that energy is a privilege. Because we have grown accustomed to its constant availability, its absence rarely crosses our minds. But what if this privilege were to suddenly disappear? Would we be able to navigate the world without the comforts energy affords us?

In a world where energy is a given, its conservation might seem redundant. However its complete integration into modern day society makes its conservation essential. Energy conservation serves as a safeguard, ensuring that we don't take this crucial resource for granted. It's a proactive measure that prepares us for the unexpected and fosters a sense of responsibility for the sustainability of our energy systems. Caring about energy conservation demonstrates a commitment to responsible living and an awareness of the wider impact of our actions as well as a dedication of leaving behind a habitable planet for future generations. Understanding the fragility of our energy systems is also incredibly important and can empower us to be resilient in the face of disruptions, ensuring our daily lives aren't severely affected when energy resources become strained.

The impact of energy conservation reaches far beyond individual actions. Using the example of vampire loads: those subtle energy drains from devices on standby, exemplifies this interconnectedness. A single device left plugged in might not seem significant, but when multiplied across countless households, its collective impact becomes substantial as each home's energy usage contributes to the overall strength of the system. The compound effect of these seemingly insignificant vampire loads can strain the energy grid and deplete resources faster than anticipated. Highlighting the importance of being energy conscious.

So, how can we, as college students, reduce our energy use and become catalysts for change?

Here are a few simple yet impactful ways to get started:

Optimize lighting: Make the switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs in your dorm room or apartment. Remember to turn off lights when leaving a room and use natural light whenever possible.
Conserve heating and cooling: Adjust your thermostat to save energy by setting it a few degrees lower in winter and higher in summer. The optimal thermostat range is 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter. Dress appropriately for the weather and use fans or open windows for natural ventilation.
Minimize vampire or phantom loads: Unplug electronics when not in use or use power strips with switches to easily cut off power to multiple devices. Many electronics and appliances will continue to “suck” power when plugged in and not in use.
Be water-wise: Conserve hot water by taking shorter showers. Wash your laundry in cold water and wait until you have a full load before running the washing machine.
Choose energy-efficient appliances: When buying or upgrading appliances, look for Energy Star-certified models, which are designed to be more energy-efficient.
Practice mindful computing: Adjust your computer's power settings to conserve energy and use sleep mode or shut down when not in use.
Avoid printing unnecessary documents and share digital files instead.
Weatherize your home! By making quick changes to your living space you can prevent cool or warm air from escaping and in turn lower your energy consumption. Some easy tricks include adding thick curtains over windows as well as using caulk to seal cracks around windows and doors to prevent drafts.
Buy Energy Efficient Appliances: Check for the Energy Star logo (white star on blue background) and energy efficiency rating of appliances before buying any appliances as these products consume less energy to operate and meet strict efficiency standards.
Engage in energy-saving competitions: Join or organize energy-saving challenges and competitions on campus to encourage friendly competition and foster a sense of community around sustainability. CU will be hosting an energy challenge on the A World app starting Oct 1- Dec 1st, be sure to join to challenge friends and reap rewards!
Learn more about how to save energy where you live with an EcoVisit

Remember, these are just a few examples of how we can make a difference through energy conservation. By implementing these practices and encouraging others to do the same, we can collectively reduce our carbon footprint, protect the environment, and contribute towards a sustainable vision for the world.

As students, we have the power to shape the future we want to inherit. Let's harness our enthusiasm, creativity, and knowledge to create a vibrant, sustainable future while being mindful of the privilege energy provides.

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Powering change: participate in the AWorld Challenge for a greener tomorrow

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:57:09 +0000

Powering change: participate in the AWorld Challenge for a greener tomorrow Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:57

In a world where the significance of energy conservation echoes louder than ever, the call to action has never been more important. Luckily, CU ��«��Ƶ is offering two guiding beacons of change for students and staff alike. CU is hosting a two-month long A world challenge built around energy conservation. With the AWorld app, embracing daily sustainability practices is easy. Building on the foundation laid by our previous discussion on energy conservation's significance, this article delves into how you can take your commitment to a greener world to the next level by participating in these transformative initiatives.

AWorld Challenge: Power Down for the Planet

The journey towards a more sustainable planet begins with simple yet impactful actions. The AWorld Challenge, "Power Down for the Planet: Sustainable Buffs Save Energy," offers you the opportunity to contribute directly to the cause. From Oct. 1 to Dec. 1, embrace the challenge of reducing your energy consumption and become a catalyst for positive change.

Participation is easy: download the AWorld app and track the ways you cut back on your energy consumption. As you join the challenge, you'll not only contribute to a more eco-friendly future but also earn rewards along the way.

For those who excel in their commitment, there's more in store:

The first 500 participants will receive a free stasher bag as a token of appreciation for joining the cause
The top 20 performers will have the choice between a cozy beanie hat or a stylish pop socket
The top 10 performers will take home an additional treat, a gift card to Meow Wolf in Denver

The AWorld Challenge embodies the collective power of individuals and organizations to drive sustainable change. By participating in the challenge you not only make an immediate impact but also set the stage for a future where energy conservation and responsible practices are the norm. Let's come together, embrace these opportunities, and champion a greener, more resilient world for generations to come.

Take action! Join University of Colorado team on AWorld app today!

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The power of individual actions: rethinking your carbon footprint

Anonymous — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 21:42:47 +0000

The power of individual actions: rethinking your carbon footprint Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 12/12/2023 - 14:42

The term 'carbon footprint' echoes in our ears as a familiar buzzword, but grappling with how to minimize it can be a daunting task. Seeking support from your community can transform this task into a more accessible and rewarding endeavor.

Your Impact & Carbon Footprint

At its core, a carbon footprint is the sum total of greenhouse gases produced by our daily actions. Whether it's how we commute, what we eat, what we purchase, or how we dispose of our waste, each decision leaves an imprint on the planet. Think of it as a way to see how much pollution we create. According to the Nature Conservancy, a carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases produced by our actions. Individuals can track their carbon footprints by looking at the things they do every day. Students at CU ��«��Ƶ have a wonderful opportunity to use the AWorld app to not only calculate your footprint but help you lessen it. How you get to work, what you choose to eat, what you purchase in a day, and your recycling or disposal habits all have a direct impact on your carbon footprint.

By assessing your carbon footprint, you gain insight into how small changes can make a substantial difference. Imagine if we all embraced these changes collectively; now, you don’t have to, as you can witness the impact our community is making by joining the campus community on the AWorld app.

Each of us holds the potential to be a steward for the environment. By acknowledging the impact of our choices and implementing small, positive changes, we can collectively forge a more sustainable future. Let's embark on this journey together, armed with the knowledge that even the smallest adjustments can leave a lasting imprint on the health of our planet. Join the movement – download the AWorld App and witness the transformative power of our community in action.

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Recap of President's Sustainable Solutions pitch night 2023

Anonymous — Sat, 08 Apr 2023 06:00:00 +0000

Recap of President's Sustainable Solutions pitch night 2023 Anonymous (not verified) Sat, 04/08/2023 - 00:00

Last week, CU ��«��Ƶ's Environmental Center hosted the 4th annual President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge event where three proposals were presented on how to make the campus more sustainable. The CU President's Office funded the prize money, totaling $2,500. Students developed their innovative proposals as individuals or as teams.

Lauren Uram and Mason Liddell presented their Plant-Based Campus Initiative, advocating for CU to become the first U.S. university to offer 100% plant-based food. Campuses in the UK have already made similar commitments, so this initiative isn’t unheard of. This would make meals 30-40% cheaper than an omnivorous diet, and the initiative would be implemented gradually over several semesters with education.

“I think it’s important to talk honestly about what our future is going to look like,” Uram explained.

Brandon Brown's Winds of Change proposal focused on the role of Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) in sustainable portfolios. By tailoring a PPA with Xcel, CU campus could run off 50% renewable energy by 2025 and 80% by 2030, making CU a leader in campus clean energy initiatives. Renewable energy sources comprise less than one percent of the total energy sources used to power campus, according to the 2021 STARS report. Xcel is already in the process of building a new Power Pathway after the Colorado Clean Energy Plan was put into place. This will ensure the state is 80% renewable by the end of the decade. While there may be cheaper alternatives, this plan would fulfill CU’s obligation to its local community and the state, making them a leader in campus clean energy initiatives.

The Xero Heros, consisting of Q Redmond, Jennalee Battson and Quinn Harper, presented their project on Waterwise Landscaping on Campus. Keeping the drought in the west in mind, they proposed replacing grass turf on East Campus with native vegetation to reduce mowing emissions and maintenance costs and decrease the goose population on that side of the campus.

“We’re thinking big but starting small,” Harper explained.

The judges awarded first place and $1,500 to Brown, second place and $500 to Uram and Liddell's Plant-Based Campus Initiative, and the Audience Choice award of $500 went to the Xero Heros. The presenters were also invited to share their initiatives at the Climate Action Expo April 20 from 12-3 p.m. in the UMC, with more opportunities to earn prize money.

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Lowering your carbon footprint

Anonymous — Fri, 27 Jan 2023 07:00:00 +0000

Lowering your carbon footprint Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 01/27/2023 - 00:00

Carbon footprint is something we have all heard about, read about and probably talked about in class, but do we truly understand what it means and its role in our lives? Probably not.

According to the Nature Conservatory, carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gasses generated by our actions. Every person, company or entity has a carbon footprint. Individuals' carbon footprints can be tracked based on their daily actions and emissions. How you get to work, what you choose to eat, what you purchase in a day and what you recycle or throw away. All of these actions directly contribute to your personal carbon footprint. The larger the footprint, the greater the impact on the planet; but, the size of your carbon footprint can be changed with changes to your lifestyle.

By calculating your personal footprint, you’ll be able to better understand what changes to make to your lifestyle to reduce your carbon footprint. Making small changes over time can lead to great change. If we all make small changes, we can see a reduction in our carbon footprint.

A few simple changes that will reduce our carbon footprint include:

Eat less meat. Experts say that eating a vegan diet is best for the planet, and reducing the amount of meat you eat -- red meat in particular -- has a positive impact on the planet.
- Try to eat foods that are low on the food chain, such as nuts, fruits and vegetables.
- Swapping one or two meals a week to vegan or vegetarian is a great place to start.
Reduce food waste. It’s estimated that Americans waste roughly 40% of the food they purchase. Cutting down on food waste will reduce your carbon footprint and help you save money.
- Planning your meals out ahead of grocery shopping will allow you to buy exactly what you plan to eat, eliminating waste and saving money.
- Freeze leftovers or produce before they go bad.
Turn it off. Turn off lights and appliances when you leave the room to save energy and money.
- Keep your heat and water heater set to a lower temperature.
- Use LED lights in all light fixtures in your dorm, apartment or house.
Shop sustainably. Purchase from second-hand and thrift stores to reduce your carbon footprint.
- Something to keep in mind when you shop for clothes is that as the price of our clothes drop, the costs to us and the world around us increase.

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint

https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/carbon-footprint-calculator/

https://www.conservation.org/stories/what-is-a-carbon-footprint

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Small actions to reduce your carbon footprint

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Small actions to reduce your carbon footprint Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 11/09/2022 - 00:00

Sometimes reducing your carbon footprint can be a difficult and daunting task. Here are 20 small actions you can try on your new - or steadfast - journey to living more sustainably! Small actions make a big difference. Pick a couple to try below to get started.

1. Turn off the lights each time you leave the room

2. Use energy efficient light bulbs at home, at school and in your office

3. Take the bus

4. Walk, use a scooter or ride a bike

5. Join or organize a carpool

6. Join a car cooperative - there are many options available

7. Eat meatless meals once a week

8. Buy local and in-season food whenever possible

9. Ask for local, organic and fair trade food on campus

10. Use a reusable coffee mug

11. Avoid using disposable plastic and bring your own cutlery/chopsticks/cup/tupperware to CU

12. Use a stainless steel water bottle instead of a plastic one.

13. Line dry your laundry

14. Purchase used furniture, clothing, school supplies and books (check out the GFH Housing Item Exchange Facebook group)

15. Print double-sided

16. Buy 100% recycled paper

17. Support local businesses and Colorado made products

18. Buy 100% biodegradable and non-toxic cleaning products and toiletries

19. Be sure to recycle and compost correctly!

20. Share what you learn with family and friends

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Tips for keeping cool this summer

Anonymous — Mon, 23 May 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Tips for keeping cool this summer Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 05/23/2022 - 00:00

In your apartment:

Close the doors of rooms you don’t use during the day. Keep them closed until the temperature drops at night.
Close blinds and curtains to keep direct sunlight out of your apartment.
Consider opening windows at night to allow cool air in and closing them when it becomes warmer during the day.
Use hot appliances sparingly.
Unplug electronic devices and chargers when not in use. Did you know those electronic devices that are plugged in generate unnecessary heat?
Replace incandescent light bulbs with LED light bulbs. Incandescent light bulbs release 90% of their energy as heat. You can get two free LED light bulbs as part of an EcoVisit, buy them from any store that sells lightbulbs.

From your kitchen:

Drink ice water to stay hydrated.
Keep a cup of ice water by your bed to sip if you get hot at night.
Eat and drink cold things - experiment with different drinks, smoothies, frozen yogurts, fruits, salads, popsicles and other dishes that are served cold.
Run cold water over your wrists, right at your pulse point, throughout the day.
Put a cold towel across your forehead for a few minutes to cool down.

Using fans:

Fans are a great tool to help cool yourself and your home! You may even be able to buy a used one from the The Graduate and Family Housing Item Exchange At CU ��«��Ƶ or from a thrift store.
Create a cross-breeze by positioning a fan across from a window. Try setting up multiple fans around the room to increase the airflow.
Fill a large mixing bowl with ice, and tilt it at an angle in front of a fan.

Using your freezer:

Freeze your bed sheets. Before bed, place your bed sheets in a bag and freeze them for about an hour. Although the frozen sheets won’t stay cold for an entire night, they will hopefully stay cold enough to cool you down and help you drift off to sleep.
Freeze your socks. An hour or two before bed, place your socks in a large plastic bag in the freezer. Then, when you’re ready to go to bed, take them out and place them on your feet.
Freeze a washcloth. Freeze a washcloth before bed and use it as a cold compress when you’re trying to fall asleep.
Try filling up a hot water bottle with ice and putting it in your bed. It will radiate cool air and help you cool down. You can reuse the water by placing the hot water bottle in the freezer in the morning.

Have an air conditioning unit?

Check the air filters on your AC system. A dirty filter slows down air flow and makes your system work harder. The general rule is to change filters every three months.
Experts suggest setting your AC unit temperature to no less than 78 degrees when you are home and no less than 88 when you leave. Used AC units may be available from The Graduate and Family Housing Item Exchange At CU ��«��Ƶ.

Have a humidifier or diffuser?

Consider filling it with cold water.

Looking for ways to stay cool this summer? Here is a list of 21 tips to help you, your family and your home stay cool!

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Debunking recycling myths

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

Debunking recycling myths Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 04/26/2022 - 00:00

Kat Avedovech

With so much content coming our way every day, it can be difficult to differentiate between true facts and myths, especially when it comes to recycling. We're here to help clarify some of those common myths that you may have read about or heard.

Origin of the Myth

It is not always easy to tell when a company or website is being completely transparent; this is often because decision-makers in some companies see no issue when it comes to deceiving consumers in the name of profit. Opinions inevitably form based on what we see and can be altered several times along the way. It is my hope that by writing this article I can outline the truth about common myths spread around the media relating to recycling processes.

The Waste Crisis

One thing we can all agree on is that we produce trash, and a lot of it. Some of that trash goes into giant landfills, but most ends up in waterways and eventually the ocean where mammoth garbage islands form. An estimated 30% of food scraps and yard waste (that could have been composted) and 55% of what could have been recycled, ends up in landfills. The ideal way to reduce trash is to follow a zero-waste lifestyle and quit using disposables altogether; however, the first step is to reuse what we can from these disposables. The effectiveness of recycling has been questioned for many different reasons over the past couple of years. I will address some of the most common concerns in the rest of this article.

Myth 1: Recycling does not save energy

Manufacturing raw aluminum is a high-energy process that uses heat to isolate a mineral called bauxite3 until the substance is the right consistency to make aluminum cans and foils. The best thing about these aluminum cans is that they are recycled indefinitely through a simple cleaning and re-melting operation. According to the EPA, recycling aluminum saves 95% of the energy needed to make a can from scratch.
Recycling paper saves about 60% of the energy needed to make new paper. Trees are essential for lowering our carbon dioxide levels and sustaining all living things. Recycling a single ton of paper can save 17 trees and diminish the water waste from the manufacturing process.
Recycling glass only saves about ⅓ of the energy due to the immensely high temperature required to re-melt the substance. However, reusing glass eliminates the need to extract new minerals from the earth. Limestone, a mineral that requires energy and fossil fuels to extract, takes millions of years to form, making it a nonrenewable energy source.

Myth 2: Everything will decompose overtime

Landfills are not a long-term fix

Scientists predict severe landfill leaks within the next 10 years. Due to high quantities of compost and trash mixed, methane has been brewing in the pits for decades. Methane is extremely toxic to our atmosphere - when runoffs happen, climate-altering amounts of methane and chemical waste will be released into the environment.
The US EPA predicts that in no more than 30 years ALL landfills will eventually leak out.

Compostables in a landfill

Throwing food scraps into the trash vs. throwing them in the compost produce two very different results:
- In landfills, heaps of waste are piled upon each other frequently. When compostable materials are smothered, they no longer have room to “breathe,” hindering their ability to break down.
The term anaerobic composting refers to the lack of oxygen these landfills have. Without oxygen, the insides of these mass trash piles become incredibly hot, causing a build-up and eventual release of methane.
Methane is affecting our environment 28-36 times more than CO2 is, and landfills are the third-largest methane producer in the US.

Plastics

Since 1950, nine billion tons of (poly)ethylene/methylene has been produced; it's fair to say that we are in a plastic craze. In only the past 13 years, more than half of those nine billion tons were manufactured, distributed and then thrown in the trash.
Accumulations from discarded single-use plastics have caused large build-ups in the natural environment.
Plastics do not decompose. Instead, they break down into pieces that get smaller and smaller until they need to be seen with a high-powered microscope. These are called microplastics (MPs) and they can be found practically everywhere, including inside our bodies.
Most recently, MPs have been found in indoor air where they are inhaled by humans through the respiratory system. A study found that at an average reported air concentration of 9.8 MPs/m3 (45) and an inhalation rate of 15 m3/day, annual inhalation exposure averaged 53,700 particles per person in one study.
Additionally, microplastics are found in foods such as fish, honey and bottled water. They are also found and released through many of our cosmetics and creams. As for laundry, “over 700,000 microfibers were found to be released from a 6-kg wash load of acrylic fabric and up to 13 million microfibers from polyester fabric in the first wash cycle.”

Myth 3: A product that is labeled “natural” or “eco friendly” means it is environmentally friendly

This ties into greenwashing.When a company purposely deceives the consumer with misleading information, images or diction that claims the product is good for the environment when it is not.

Plastic water bottle companies are a prime example of greenwashing. They advertise nature in the advertisements using words such as “fresh” or “natural." In reality, plastic bottle manufacturers are making the problem worse by polluting and depleting viable water sources and adding to the trash problem.
Another less obvious example is fake green stickers; the most common ones say “eco-friendly” or “x% biodegradable." The eco-friendly stickers do not mean anything when it comes to helping the environment. Companies that have used these stickers have huge manufacturing and shipping carbon emissions that they fail to mention when advertising their products.
If there is a sticker claiming the item to be 95% biodegradable, that product is 100% not biodegradable. The problem created by this is that consumers unknowingly contribute to contamination in recycling plants.

Myth 4: The recyclable symbol means a product is recyclable

The number inside the recycle symbol on plastic items is a resin identification code that tells what type of plastic the item is made of.
To know if it is recyclable, check in with your local recycling center or waste hauler to see the current acceptable types of plastic for recycling in your area.
Lots of plastics are NOT recyclable, even if they have the recycle symbol on them.

Myth 5: Compostable plastics can be recycled

Compostable plastics are made of renewable materials such as corn, starches, cellulose, water and biomass. Natural-based ingredients are biodegradable and can break down when processed correctly at industrial composting facilities.
Biobased plastics melt at a different temperature than petroleum-based plastics. When compostable plastics are combined with recyclable plastics, the melting process becomes contaminated and that batch of plastics cannot be used.
Thoughtful separation of compostables and recyclables only takes a few extra seconds and makes a big difference.

Myth 6: Recycling does not make economic sense

Most places in the US operate under a single-stream recycling system. All recyclables are tossed into a single bin and then sent to a sorting facility that redistributes recyclables to companies for a fee.
Recycling facilities create green jobs and bring more money into the economy while keeping our landfills for non-recyclable materials only. The more we recycle, the less space landfills take up.
Bottle Bill states - get money back when you recycle certain products.
Recyclables contribute to the global economy. They are bought and sold through global markets and have value.
It costs more money to make new products from virgin resources as opposed to simply reprocessing and cleaning already made products.

Money to operate machines, paying for fuels for transportation, material extraction, intensive/ dangerous labor costs more than labor involved in the recycling process.

Myth 7: Only cans and bottles can be recycled

In ��«��Ƶ county, the following items are recyclable:
- Newspaper, books (no plastic cover) and magazines
- Any cardboard not coated in plastic, such as tissue boxes and cereal boxes
- Aluminum cans and foil
- Glass bottles
- Plastic shampoo bottles and laundry detergent bottles
- Plastic #5 souvenir cups

For a complete list of items that are and are not recyclable and compostable, click here. All it takes to educate ourselves on proper recycling/composting is a Google search. It takes only a few seconds to make a choice that is better for ourselves and the planet.

Hard to recycle items include: bike parts, electronics, styrofoam, plastic bags, etc. For more information on how to recycle these items, click here.

Myth 8: Recycling all ends up in the landfill

In some towns, there is no market for reselling certain materials, so it became cheaper to throw everything into landfills; however, this is not the case in the majority of cities.
The US used to sell recyclables to China, but since rates of contamination of recyclables grew, China implemented a ban on all recyclables sent to them from the US.
This ended up being a good thing for the US. Since the ban, efforts have been made by the US to expand recycling programs in order to reduce contamination.
- Improving sorting and cleaning processes for down-streamed recycling products.
- Creating more domestic opportunities for recycled materials such as paper recycling plants, metal smelting facilities, plastic and glass production, etc.
Recycling is a valuable resource that has monetary value. It does not make sense to throw reusable materials in a landfill. Especially for high value items like aluminum, cardboard and office paper.
��«��Ƶ and the Front Range cities have strong domestic markets and ensure most recyclable items you put in your home's recycling bin actually get turned into new products!

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President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge recap

Anonymous — Mon, 18 Apr 2022 06:00:00 +0000

President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge recap Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 04/18/2022 - 00:00

Five different presentations were given on Thursday, April 14. All of the presentations had one goal: to make CU more sustainable. Proposals were reviewed based on impact, feasibility and innovation, by a panel of judges that included Prof. Phaedra Pezzullo, CU Regent Lesley Smith, Jasmin Barco and students Anila Narayana and Bullos White.

The Zero Waste Outreach Team -- Lauren Mullen, Kat Avedovech, Karlie Conzachi, Kate Huun, Bryce Poirot, Tasha Smith and Kayla Vasarhelyi -- presented their recycling education program, which is aimed at educating undergraduate students on the importance of recycling at CU.

The second presentation from Ishan Gohil and Anuradha Prakash detailed a personal carbon calculator that they designed and built, for CU students to track their carbon emissions from their phones.

Helen Flock gave the third presentation, which included a proposal to add green roofs and habitat panels to the secure bike shelters on CU's main and east campuses, in hopes of increasing sustainable transportation and biodiversity on campus.

Joseph Marrujo and Ann Giang tackled electric generation on campus in their presentation, by suggesting the installation of piezoelectric tiles on some of the most highly trafficked walking spots on campus.

The final presentation by Henrique Sannibale looked at the possibilities of using hempcrete as an alternative to concrete on CU’s campus, and the benefits it holds over traditional cement.

At the end of the night, Joseph Marrujo and Ann Giang took home first place and the Zero Waste Outreach Team took home second place. The audience choice award was presented to Henrique Sannibale.

These presentations and others will be on display at the Solutions Showcase, April 21 at the UMC. Stop by and check out these amazing ideas on how to make CU more sustainable, and many others!

All of the presentations at the 2022 President's Sustainable Solutions Challenge had one goal: to make CU more sustainable.

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Crypto woes: cryptocurrency and climate change, from coal to e-waste

Anonymous — Mon, 07 Feb 2022 07:00:00 +0000

Crypto woes: cryptocurrency and climate change, from coal to e-waste Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 02/07/2022 - 00:00

Natasha Smith

At this point, most people have probably heard of Bitcoin. But unless you've purchased cryptocurrency yourself, you may have a lot of questions about how it all works.

What is cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency uses blockchain technology to verify transactions. A blockchain is a list of records linked together through cryptography. Because of the way that the blockchain works, the data and transaction records are resistant to tampering and therefore can function as verifiable currency. The same way that you can tell if a dollar is counterfeit by checking for the security thread, watermarks, color-shifting ink and microprinting, one can verify that a Bitcoin is legitimate through its blockchain records.

Bitcoins are created through a process known as mining. According to Bitcoin.com, “Bitcoin mining is an essential component of the network's system for arriving at consensus as to the current state of the ledger.” In order to mine Bitcoin, extreme computing power is required in order to create new blocks in the blockchain updating the state of the ledger. Bitcoin’s security protocols are what make the currency so secure.

Mining coins has extreme environmental impacts

Unfortunately, the computing power required to mine coins is astronomical. According to Investopedia, the network “uses 121 Terawatt-hours of electricity every year...more than the entire country of Argentina.” A recent study done by the University of Cambridge found that coal accounts for about 40% of miner power. According to NBC, a study in the 2019 Joule scientific journal found that “Bitcoin production is estimated to generate between 22 and 22.9 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions a year.” That's equivalent to the output of 2.7 billion homes. The energy needs of mining Bitcoins will only increase over time because Bitcoin is a finite resource.

Until recently, most mining (over 60%) has taken place in China. However, China has recently attempted to dissuade Bitcoin mining because of its carbon footprint. Unfortunately, miners will likely try to move operations to other countries. More widespread mining regulations could prevent this from happening. The energy requirements of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are unsustainable and pose great threats to the future of the environment.

The hardware used on mining farms has its own environmental impacts: between 8,000 and 12,000 tons of unrecyclable circuits, or e-waste, is generated per year. On top of that, hardware within the mining farm needs to be cooled. According to Columbia Climate School, one plant in New York “draws up to 139 million gallons of fresh water...each day to cool the plant, and discharges it some 30 to 50° F hotter than the lake’s average temperature, endangering the lake’s wildlife and ecology.”

The shift towards environmentally friendly cryptocurrency

Tesla announced in May that they would no longer accept Bitcoin as payment, after purchasing in February a large amount of crypto to use for future projects. This represents a large shift in public awareness towards recognizing the various impacts of cryptocurrency on the environment.

Bitcoin’s biggest competitor, Ethereum, is “set to slash its energy consumption by 99.95% within months as it makes the transition to a new infrastructure model.” The switch to Ethereum 2.0 will be seamless and transformative. Ethereum will be able to cut its environmental impact as a result of a shift from Bitcoin’s “proof of work” mining model and towards a new innovative “proof of stake” validation process. According to The Ethereum Foundation, as of Nov. 29, 2021, the switch to Ethereum 2.0 is in the finalization stage.

Other eco-friendly cryptocurrency options

Many other lesser-known cryptocurrencies exist, and they hope to break into the ever-growing crypto market with an emphasis on sustainability that rivals Bitcoin and Ethereum. One of those is Cardano, created by the co-founder of Ethereum. Cardano has the ability to process 1,000 transactions per second, compared to Bitcoin’s 7. Cardano has the third-largest capitalization in the cryptocurrency market. It has slowly been adopted by a few other platforms, including NFT marketplaces, and with the growing popularity of NFT this could mean great things for the future of the currency. Cardano does all of this on the basis of sustainable, proof-of-stake technology, which makes it one of the most popular green cryptocurrencies today.

Other green cryptocurrencies include:

Nano (NANO): has one of the lowest carbon footprints
Stellar (XLM): used by IBM, Nigeria, France and India
SolarCoin (SLR): gives users SolarCoins in return for using solar energy

These coins are just the tip of the iceberg. The future of cryptocurrency looks promising, especially with increasing emphasis on sustainability.

At this point, most people have probably heard of Bitcoin. But unless you've purchased cryptocurrency yourself, you may have a lot of questions about how it all works.

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