University of Wisconsin officials said the campus-wide We Conserve campaign to reduce energy and the environmental footprint on campus is a success after UW was named the nation’s “Greenest University.”
We Conserve Director Faramarz Vakili said receiving the recognition from TheDailyGreen.com should encourage further initiatives to promote sustainability and continue moving forward by inspiring students to get more involved, as well as other universities to make efforts to be more eco-friendly.
Vakili said We Conserve would not have been able to earn such an honor without the collective efforts of the Madison community, UW administration and state and local business groups.
UW spokesperson Dennis Chaptman said in an email to The Badger Herald the university has encountered success in conservation efforts in existing campus facilities and residence halls and said officials have worked for sustainable designs in new construction projects.
He said the university has had great success investing in energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, cutting carbon dioxide emissions, encouraging recycling, conserving water and composting food waste. He said officials are pleased with the recent recognition.
“We are gratified to be recognized nationally for our efforts to make the university more sustainable and to raise the campus’ consciousness about the importance of conservation and reducing our environmental footprint,” Chaptman said.
Since April 2006, We Conserve has saved 178,000,000 gallons of water, 125,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions, 10,000 gallons of diesel and 9 percent in trash, Vakili said.
He added the university also saved nearly $13 million in utility costs during the span of the program.
“Everyone has an impact on the environment, so it’s very important for us to be responsible and for students to use their education to understand the role we have in the environment and how to be more sustainable,” Vakili said.
Vice Chair of Wisconsin Public Interest Research Group Amanda Lizzari said though there is a lot of knowledge about conservation on this campus, there is always room for improvement.
She said making every student aware of these issues is critical and said small gestures, such as housefellows reminding students to turn off their lights when not in their rooms, could be a possible improvement.
“Education is key – if people know how easy it is to save energy and money, then a lot more action to do so will take place,” Lizzari said.
She added it is important to ensure the campus sets even higher goals for conservation and to make sure buildings are as energy efficient as they can be.
WISPRG is also advocating the elimination of bottled water on campus, in part because there are many water fountains on campus and students can save money using refillable bottles, Lizzari said.
She also said there is a movement on other UW System campuses to remove all cafeteria trays to save water when doing dishes.
Vakili said the university could continue in environmental sustainability by publicizing the campus’ energy-saving efforts to other campuses and communities.
He added there are currently several major projects underway that would adhere to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards for facilities that reduce energy and water usage and carbon dioxide emissions.
