Sustainability

Elon's project to use geothermal technology to heat and cool the new Colonnades residence halls was featured in reports on News 14 Carolina, Time-Warner Cable's statewide news network, and the Triad's Fox 8 news.

Elon University has partnered with a San Francisco-based company to launch a private network for carpooling. That company, Zimride, created a Facebook-integrated platform to help its users share commutes or one-time rides while reducing campus traffic and parking congestion.

Elon University is featured in a case study on Lucid Design Group’s website, which details the university’s use of the Building Dashboard system for real-time electricity monitoring.

Elon University has finalized a blueprint for shrinking its carbon footprint and promoting conservation in the coming decades by addressing energy use, transportation, solid waste and other sources of emissions on campus. The Climate Action Plan includes recommendations for incorporating sustainability and climate change into education, research and community outreach.

Jay Reno ’10, a business administration major who graduated with honors last month, has been selected as a Green Plus Sustainability Fellow by the Green Plus Institute for Sustainable Development.

All of the 41 campus buildings taking part in the 2010 POWERless Energy Competition showed a reduction in energy use during the sixth week week of the contest. The top building of the week in Division I was Oaks B, showing a 52.2 percent reduction. In Division II, the distinction went to Loy Center A, B and C, which recorded a 66.3 percent reduction.

Students and faculty are invited to take part this Saturday in the Triad Commute Challenge Commuter Dash, a walk/run at a regional park that kicks off a three-month campaign to raise awareness of air quality issues while encouraging people to try alternative transportation, like carpooling or biking, rather than driving alone.

An environmental activist best known for her film documentary “The Story of Stuff” visited campus on April 22 for Earth Day, and her message was simple: People are happier not when they buy “stuff” but when they form quality relationships and work toward common goals.

Students, faculty and staff will have an opportunity this week to provide feedback on Elon University’s draft Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years by setting goals for energy conservation, energy production and commuting.

Annie Leonard, the activist behind the short film “The Story of Stuff,” comes to Elon University for an April 22 evening lecture on the costs associated with the nation’s consumer-driven culture. Leonard’s appearance in McKinnon Hall, which is free and open to the public, coincides with Earth Day 2010.