Environmental Issues Committee

January 18, 2008
EMU Alsea Room

Attendees:   Chuck Kalnbach, Evan Kleiman, Jesse Hough, Lynn Giordano, Steve Mital, Deb Merskin, Jim Blick, Art Farley, Leslie Hinkle, Paula Staight, Christine Thompson, Tim King 

The November 28, 2007 minutes were approved.

Scope of Emissions (direct and/or indirect)

Discussion began with whether the plan should focus strictly on emissions that occur on campus, such as GHG created by the computers that we turn on and buildings we heat.  If the focus was expanded it might include things like GHG created during travel and the embedded energy in purchases made.  The wider you go the more you have to rely on estimates and complexity will increase.  Steve suggested three areas to consider:

1)    Internal and external responsibilities

2)      How to deal with growth

3)      Where do we set the starting point – i.e., should progress in past 20 years be included

What constitutes core emissions on campus will first need to be defined, for example, heat and power in buildings, UO business related travel, food services, etc.   The committee discussed approaching more external issues such as the daily commute in a phased approach by developing a flexible time table.

The committee asked Steve to develop a list of what might be considered core and expanded components, with definitions and responsibilities for each category.  An estimated percent of the GHG each activity emits is also needed along with how to estimate the GHG embedded in UO purchases.  Examples of Climate Action Plans developed at other schools would also be very helpful.

Climate Action Working Groups

Steve distributed a list and a brief description of potential technical working groups:

buildings, transportation, energy production and purchasing, IT, external impacts, offsets, purchasing, educational outreach, and financing.

Jim asked if we wanted to add a group for Athletics.  Christine suggested that Athletic representation within groups would be a preferable option.   Chuck asked about adding a group for solid waste.  Steve’s goal would be to start with 5 - 7 groups to begin work on capturing major core items this year.  Other action groups can be added as needed in the future.

Other Business: Student Groups

Evan proposed a way to help catalyze the green movement within the student body by starting a green fund.  A certain amount of green dollars would be given to each student group for use toward a sustainable project.  The committee liked this idea for future consideration.

Next Meeting:   1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on February 19^th in EMU Century Room F

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Contact:
Kay Coots, R.S., CSP
Environmental Health and Safety Director
Phone: (541) 346-5421
E-Mail: kcoots@uoregon.edu