Mavericks Go Green
Looking for articles, books, multimedia, and other reference materials on sustainability? Check out the new guide on the UT Arlington Library’s web site. Suggestions for new links and resources are always welcome. Props to Ellen Baskerville for her work to create this resource.
Shorthorn story, Nov. 7
The City of Fort Worth and American Institute of Architects are holding two public meetings to discuss “sustainability in Fort Worth.”
Several lectures in the Distinguished Faculty Lecture Series will be on environmental topics.
Dr. James P. Grover, Professor
Dr. Michael Jin, Assistant Professor
Dr. Laura D. Mydlarz, Assistant Professor
Dr. Krishnan “Raj” Rajeshwar, Distinguished Professor/ Associate Dean
Dr. Meng Tao, Associate Professor
The university chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association will sponsor a presentation by Dr. Al Armendariz of SMU’s Environmental and Civil Engineering Department (http://lyle.smu.edu/~aja/). His research on the air quality impacts of urban oil and gas drilling has recently heightened concern about the environmental consequences of gas development in the Barnett Shale.
When: Friday, Nov. 7, Noon
Where: Room 202 Nedderman Hall (map)
What: Presentation on 1) oil/gas drilling emissions and 2) mercury emission controls for electric generating units
Free. Students, faculty, staff, and public welcome.
Contact: Dr. Melanie Sattler, 817/272-5410
Star-Telegram story on Armendariz’s research, Oct. 12
Shorthorn story on UT Arlington emissions, Oct. 23
A PSC budget of $138,750 for fiscal year 2009 has been approved by President Spaniolo and was announced at the Oct.14 meeting. These funds are to cover the expense of implementing some of the Sustainability Agenda items approved in the spring.
It is important to note that this budget does not include numerous Sustainability Agenda items that are being funded under the regular budget of various administrative units.
Building & Development $ 0 (0.0%)
Communications 16,250 (11.7)
Curriculum & Research 5,000 (3.6)
Dining Services 0 (0.0)
Energy & Water 10,000 (7.2)
Landscaping & Habitat 12,500 (9.0)
Management Systems 60,000 (43.2)
Purchasing 0 (0.0)
Transportation TBA
Waste Reduction 35,000 (25.2)
Total $138,750 ( 100.0%)
Detailed budget (if you have difficulty downloading, contact me)
The management of Centennial Court apartment complex is challenging its residents to dramatically reduce their energy consumption. The following announcement, distributed by Centennial, describes the contest and provides tips on how to save energy. UT Arlington Recycling Coordinator Becky Valentich tells me that Centennial “has been really active in trying to promote recycling and sustainable practices.” For more on Centennial, see its web page.
THE GREENEST BUILDING CONTEST
Here’s your chance to win big while making a big difference in our world! Take efforts to reduce your apartment’s energy consumption in our “Greenest Building” Contest. Whenever you save energy, you not only save money, but you also reduce the demand for such fossil fuels as coal, oil, and natural gas. Less burning of fossil fuels also means lower emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary contributor to global warming, and other pollutants.
Two Ways to Win
1. The winning apartment will win back their electricity allowance for the month.
- $25 for each resident in a 4-Bed
- $30 for each resident in a 2-Bed
- $50 for residents in an Efficiency or 1-Bed
2. The winning building will win a special “Green” party in the Clubhouse to be held in November.
The winners will be chosen based on the greatest percentage of reduction in kilowatt hours used per resident from now through mid-November.
How to Win
Consider these tips to help reduce your energy consumption and increase your chances of winning…
Air Conditioning Tips:
- When you are home and awake, set your thermostat comfortably low in the winter and comfortably high in the summer.
- When you are asleep or out of the apartment, turn your thermostat back 5-10 degrees.
- If roommates disagree on the temperature, compromise on a thermostat setting then close or open the vents in each room to help distribute the air accordingly.
- If you’re too warm, wear lighter clothing and use light cotton sheets. If you’re too cool, wear layers of clothing and use flannel/wool sheets with an extra blanket.
- Open curtains and blinds on your windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your apartment, and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
- Avoid going in and out of the door to help keep the inside temperature constant.
Lights and Electronics Tips:
- Computers, TVs and DVDs, use still consume power while in standby mode. Plug home electronics into power strips and turn the power strips off when the equipment is not in use.
- Always turn off lights when you leave the room. Use natural light and task lighting rather than the overhead light whenever possible.
- Replace incandescent bulbs with energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Free replacement bulbs are available from the Clubhouse.
Kitchen Tips:
- A dishwasher that is 50% full uses almost the same amount of electricity as if it were 90% full. Completely fill the dishwasher before running the cycle, or wash by hand to save even more.
- Air dry dishes instead of using your dishwasher’s heated drying cycle.
- Keep your refrigerator on the middle setting and don’t overcrowd your food.
- Allow frozen foods to completely or partially thaw in the refrigerator before cooking.
- Use a microwave or small convectional oven to reheat or cook small meals rather than using your oven.
For more information, call (817) 436-4800.
Shorthorn story, Oct. 28
The Environmental Society will hold its General Meeting tomorrow, October 10th at 12:00pm in College Hall 101. This week, we’ll be serving FREE pizza to kick-off our new lunch hour meeting time! Come on by and join us for food, fellowship, and fun.
On the agenda this week:
We hope to see you all tomorrow.
The Congress on New Urbanism
New Directions:
A traditional green future for north Texas
a one day symposium and discussion
Friday October 24
School of Architecture
The University of Texas at Arlington
8:30am — 5:30 pm
Free and open to students, faculty and staff
No prior registration required
Speakers include:
Jon Hockenyos
expert in economics and public policy
Peter Swift
dynamic leader in the area of walk-able communities
John Norquist
former mayor of Milwaukee, author, and expert in urban issues
Steve Mouzon
author, architect, and President of the New Urban Guild and Original Green.
While NASCAR may not be the most environmentally friendly of “sports,” the Keep Fort Worth Beautiful and Coca-Cola are collaborating to collect recycling from the fans at an upcoming race. If you are interested in volunteering, read the description below. To RSVP you must email Jay Long at jaylong@cokecce.com. You can contact me at tjyatko@uta.edu if you are interested in carpooling from campus. I’ve got room in my car to drive to Fort Worth. We’d be back in Arlington about 10:30pm on a Sunday night.
“Keep Fort Worth Beautiful has a unique and exciting opportunity to help recycle on Sunday November 2nd at Texas Motors Speedway after the Dickies 500 race. Coca-Cola is sponsoring recycling at the race in November and needs about 150 volunteers for a “Green Team” to help collect recyclables after the race.
The plan is to have the volunteers meet at 3:15 p.m. at Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Fort Worth. 3400 Fossil Creek Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76137. Volunteers will be shuttled to the speedway in vans. We will be able to watch about half of the race and be served pizza for dinner. As soon as fans begin to leave the stadium, the Green Team will start collecting aluminum cans and plastic beverage containers left in the stands. Water will be available for volunteers while working.
At a NASCAR event in Kansas 800 bags of recyclables were collected. So while this event promises to be fun, it will also require hard work and you must be able to climb stadium seating. If interested in being part of the Green Team for this NASCAR event please contact Jay Long at jaylong@cokecce.com”
The Shorthorn’s sustainability reporter, Sarah Lutz, is doing a series of stories comparing UT Arlington’s sustainability program with programs at other universities.
Story on Texas Christian University, Oct. 17
Story on UT Austin, Oct. 24
Story on Rice University, Oct. 30
Texas environmental news
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