Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Live Streaming Video of Denis Hayes Presentation Tomorrow
As many of you know, Denis Hayes, the founder of Earth Day, will be giving a presentation at our 30th anniversary celebration tomorrow. If you can't make it to the event, we will be showing it LIVE via streaming video right here. Just click on that link tomorrow at 4:30pm MST and you can view the entire speech. Enjoy!
U. earns B grade for eco-friendly efforts
This article was originally published in the Deseret News. You can check it out by clicking here.
By Wendy Leonard
Deseret News
Increasing efforts by the University of Utah to become a more green campus seem to be paying off, according to nationwide survey of environmental practices on campuses.
Despite rising energy costs, 15 schools nationwide earned A grades, while 75 percent of the 100 surveyed by the Sustainable Endowments Institute earned B's. The U. was among those, receiving a full grade increase from last year, as more eco-friendly practices are being put into place.
"We're not doing what we do for the ratings," said Craig Forster, director of the U.'s Office of Sustainability. "We are helping students prepare for the future, lead more simpler lives and, in so doing, perhaps allow them to leave a smaller footprint."
The coming decades promise issues dealing with environmental stewardship, economic stability and social equity, and Forster said trusting in people who "have the broader view" will assist in conquering the nation's problems.
The U.'s B grade includes assessment of its efforts toward climate change and energy conservation with installation of a new cogeneration plant, which produces 11 percent of the university's electricity, as well as renovation of current HVAC systems and lighting to improve efficiency. A recent addition of a farmers market on campus, along with a commitment from dining services to purchase from local providers, earned the U. points in the food and recycling category.
Top scores were given for the school's ownership of nine hybrid vehicles and the fact that all students are given free universal transit passes.
A student involvement category, which earned a C for a lack in awareness efforts on campus, was unfairly graded, Forster said, detailing student-run initiatives across campus. Overall, however, the comprehensive look at the university's progress — in its second year of participation in the survey — was pleasing, he said.
Brigham Young University was the only other Utah institution to be surveyed. However, the privately owned school chose not to return solicitations for information and subsequent research of sustainability practices on the Provo campus yielded a failing grade.
Brian Evans, administrative vice president at BYU, said the F grade is not surprising given the university did not take part in the survey. BYU does participate in a number of programs, including recycling and energy and water conservation, believing "it is part of our stewardship."
"We focus our attention on initiatives that protect the environment and make economic sense," Evans said.
The Green Report Card surveyed 100 schools in the country and top grades fell among some of the most wealthy including Columbia, Harvard and Brown universities, as well as Dartmouth College, University of Washington and Oberlin College. Results can be found online here.
"The survey raises awareness of the importance of sustainability, not only for its economic importance, but because the practices are good for business," said Lisa Chase, executive director of the Sustainable Endowments Institute. She said implementation of green practices not only saves schools money but has shown to contribute to growth as students are becoming more concerned with the environment.
"What they do impacts the community around the school. They are an example of what can be done," she said.
2009 Green Report Card of Sustainability practices at the University of Utah
A — Administration: budget and staff
B — Climate change & energy: usage and conservation
B — Food & recycling: local resources, reduce waste
B — Green building: LEED-certification
C — Student Involvement: awareness efforts
A — Transportation: gas and emission conservation
B — Endowment transparency: holdings made public
B — Investment priorities: optimized return
B — TOTAL GRADE
By Wendy Leonard
Deseret News
Increasing efforts by the University of Utah to become a more green campus seem to be paying off, according to nationwide survey of environmental practices on campuses.
Despite rising energy costs, 15 schools nationwide earned A grades, while 75 percent of the 100 surveyed by the Sustainable Endowments Institute earned B's. The U. was among those, receiving a full grade increase from last year, as more eco-friendly practices are being put into place.
"We're not doing what we do for the ratings," said Craig Forster, director of the U.'s Office of Sustainability. "We are helping students prepare for the future, lead more simpler lives and, in so doing, perhaps allow them to leave a smaller footprint."
The coming decades promise issues dealing with environmental stewardship, economic stability and social equity, and Forster said trusting in people who "have the broader view" will assist in conquering the nation's problems.
The U.'s B grade includes assessment of its efforts toward climate change and energy conservation with installation of a new cogeneration plant, which produces 11 percent of the university's electricity, as well as renovation of current HVAC systems and lighting to improve efficiency. A recent addition of a farmers market on campus, along with a commitment from dining services to purchase from local providers, earned the U. points in the food and recycling category.
Top scores were given for the school's ownership of nine hybrid vehicles and the fact that all students are given free universal transit passes.
A student involvement category, which earned a C for a lack in awareness efforts on campus, was unfairly graded, Forster said, detailing student-run initiatives across campus. Overall, however, the comprehensive look at the university's progress — in its second year of participation in the survey — was pleasing, he said.
Brigham Young University was the only other Utah institution to be surveyed. However, the privately owned school chose not to return solicitations for information and subsequent research of sustainability practices on the Provo campus yielded a failing grade.
Brian Evans, administrative vice president at BYU, said the F grade is not surprising given the university did not take part in the survey. BYU does participate in a number of programs, including recycling and energy and water conservation, believing "it is part of our stewardship."
"We focus our attention on initiatives that protect the environment and make economic sense," Evans said.
The Green Report Card surveyed 100 schools in the country and top grades fell among some of the most wealthy including Columbia, Harvard and Brown universities, as well as Dartmouth College, University of Washington and Oberlin College. Results can be found online here.
"The survey raises awareness of the importance of sustainability, not only for its economic importance, but because the practices are good for business," said Lisa Chase, executive director of the Sustainable Endowments Institute. She said implementation of green practices not only saves schools money but has shown to contribute to growth as students are becoming more concerned with the environment.
"What they do impacts the community around the school. They are an example of what can be done," she said.
2009 Green Report Card of Sustainability practices at the University of Utah
A — Administration: budget and staff
B — Climate change & energy: usage and conservation
B — Food & recycling: local resources, reduce waste
B — Green building: LEED-certification
C — Student Involvement: awareness efforts
A — Transportation: gas and emission conservation
B — Endowment transparency: holdings made public
B — Investment priorities: optimized return
B — TOTAL GRADE
Friday, September 26, 2008
GSBS Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Free Presentation on Oct. 1 By Environmental Advocate Denis Hayes, Original Earth Day Organizer
Denis Hayes, an expert and advocate at the core of the modern environmental movement since its launch, will help GSBS Architects commemorate the firm’s 30th anniversary on Wednesday, October 1.
Hayes is a foundation president, attorney, lobbyist, Stanford engineering professor, grassroots organizer, and the youngest director of a national laboratory in the nation's history. Denis Hayes was the National Coordinator of the first Earth Day and has spent much of his life fighting for a healthier world.
Hayes’s presentation at The University of Utah Fine Arts Museum Auditorium from 4:30 – 6:00 PM is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Information is available on the firm website.
It will be available to see live in streaming video or to download at the firm website. GSBS Architects Vice President David Brems, FAIA, “When we reflect on all that has happened since our beginnings as a firm in 1978, no singular force has had more positive impact than ‘going green.’ We’ve been committed to the concept from the start, as reflected in many of our designs. And we are proud to have designed the Olympic Ice Oval, one of the first LEED certified buildings in theUnited States
Brems said, "One of our goals is to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings to zero. We can do this with off the shelf technology. The lowest cost path to reversing climate change is to make buildings more energy and water efficient.”
Firm President Michael Stransky, FAIA added: “Looking ahead, we see the real opportunities in green design are moving past points on a LEED chart. Buildings use twice as much energy as cars, and every one of our projects will consider the carbon footprint to see how we can reduce it. The benefit is setting an example which will result in an overall better environment.”
Stransky said the Hayes presentation will be about the evolution of the movement for sustainability and what the last years teach us about the future.
Hayes is a foundation president, attorney, lobbyist, Stanford engineering professor, grassroots organizer, and the youngest director of a national laboratory in the nation's history. Denis Hayes was the National Coordinator of the first Earth Day and has spent much of his life fighting for a healthier world.
Hayes’s presentation at The University of Utah Fine Arts Museum Auditorium from 4:30 – 6:00 PM is free and open to the public, but seating is limited. Information is available on the firm website.
It will be available to see live in streaming video or to download at the firm website. GSBS Architects Vice President David Brems, FAIA, “When we reflect on all that has happened since our beginnings as a firm in 1978, no singular force has had more positive impact than ‘going green.’ We’ve been committed to the concept from the start, as reflected in many of our designs. And we are proud to have designed the Olympic Ice Oval, one of the first LEED certified buildings in the
Brems said, "One of our goals is to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings to zero. We can do this with off the shelf technology. The lowest cost path to reversing climate change is to make buildings more energy and water efficient.”
Firm President Michael Stransky, FAIA added: “Looking ahead, we see the real opportunities in green design are moving past points on a LEED chart. Buildings use twice as much energy as cars, and every one of our projects will consider the carbon footprint to see how we can reduce it. The benefit is setting an example which will result in an overall better environment.”
Stransky said the Hayes presentation will be about the evolution of the movement for sustainability and what the last years teach us about the future.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
SEMINAR: Green or Sustainable Construction in Utah
The drive for sustainable and green is gaining momentum. You can see it in advertising for products, services and, more importantly, in the built environment. Experts predict the Green Revolution is here to stay this time. Are your clients asking you questions about green buildings? Are potential tenants requiring some measure of green or LEED certified design as part of their leasing requirements?
David Brems, Clio Miller and Garth Shaw of GSBS Architects and Stanford Fitts of Strong and Hanni will be featured speakers at this one-day seminar on October 14th, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The seminar offers the following benefits to attendees:
David Brems, Clio Miller and Garth Shaw of GSBS Architects and Stanford Fitts of Strong and Hanni will be featured speakers at this one-day seminar on October 14th, 2008 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The seminar offers the following benefits to attendees:
- Enhance your understanding of sustainable design and construction
- Explore LEED and other green building rating systems
- Find out what you need to know about costs and benefits
- Learn about important legal considerations
- Tools you can use in creating sustainable designs
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