Ecological sustainability is the ability to live within the means of nature. To achieve sustainability, we must meet our resource needs without compromising future generations and their ability to meet their needs. It is the act of balancing environment, society and economy while still working to reach our potential and improve our quality of life. Two of the most pressing issues pushing sustainability to the forefront are climate change and limited fossil fuels.
By simply changing some of our daily habits, we can have positive and powerful impacts on our environment. Please take time to check out the links below to learn more about what you can do at work and at home to be part of the solution.
UAS Sustainability Survey: Read some background information, take a short survey and find links of local interest.
Energy consumption and conservation:
Blue Line Innovations power cost monitors* to monitor residential and commercial consumption at large.
Watts Up? meters* to monitor consumption of individual devices.
*These meters and monitors can be checked out on a short term basis (3-days) by students, staff, and faculty at the UAS Help Desk in Whitehead Bldg. 208.
How many gallons of diesel is Juneau burning each day? What can I do to conserve energy? Where do I report a streetlight that is on all day? Visit the AEL&P site to answer these questions and more.
The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE) home energy checklist for action. ACEEE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting both economic prosperity and environmental protection.
Search "energy conservation" on the Web to find a wealth of ideas and tips.
Water conservation: Wasting water wastes electricity. Why? Because a big use of electricity in most cities is supplying water and cleaning it up after it's been used.
EPA Watersense has tips on conserving water and information on water saving products and devices.
Search "water conservation" on the Web for even more tips.
Recycling: Recycling keeps tons of waste out of our landfills and companies that use recycled rather than raw materials for production use about 30% less energy.
The UAS recycling program will pick up #1 and #2 plastics, aluminum, glass, tin, mixed paper and white paper from your office during the academic year. If you do not have a bin in your area, contact extension 6528 to make arrangements for a bin and collection service. During the summer, work out a plan for your area to share the responsibility of getting your recyclables to the CBJ recycling center.
Learn all about the City and Borough of Juneau recycling program and find out how you can get a recycle card to stamp each time you recycle. After 20 visits, you get a free dump load at Capital Disposal.
To help you determine if what you have is hazardous waste (fluorescent bulbs, paints, solvents, etc.) and to find the hazardous waste collection schedule, visit Public Works Department household hazardous waste site.
Other great links:
For earth saving tips, eco-friendly products, and resources, visit Earth Share. “Earth Share, a federation of America's leading non-profit environmental and conservation charities, promotes environmental education and charitable giving in workplace employee giving campaigns. For more tips and to find out how your workplace can help the earth, visit http://www.earthshare.org or call 1.800.875.3863"
Earth 911: Making Every Day Earth Day
"What is the use of a house if you haven't got a tolerable planet to put it on?"
~ Henry David Thoreau~