Green Living Week

GREEN LIVING- February 2nd-7th, 2009

UB GREEN

Check out the website for UB Green- The UB Green website is a campus guide to our multi-faceted campus environmental stewardship program. UB Green is dedicated to community outreach and education on environmental issues. Learn how you can be green as a college student, and how you can get involved on and off campus in environmental activities: http://www.ubgreenoffice.com/

A GREENER SHADE OF BLUE: UB DEMONSTRATING ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
“The University at Buffalo's leadership role in fighting global warming is exemplified by President John B. Simpson's recent signing of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
UB is the first institution in Western New York to sign the commitment to achieve "climate neutrality," reducing greenhouse emissions and offsetting through various measures those that remain. It also is the first university center and second campus in the State University of New York system to do so. To date, leaders of only 133 of this country's more than 4,000 colleges and universities have signed the agreement.” Read the rest of this article here: http://www.buffalo.edu/greener_ub/commitment.html
More information on UB’s commitment to the environment can be found at: http://www.buffalo.edu/greener_ub/

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

Ten Ways You Can Live a Greener Life (http://www.buffalo.edu/greener_ub/diff_top_ten.html)
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Step 1Buy renewable power at home. Green power uses clean energy resources. Companies selling green power to National Grid and NYS Electric & Gas customers are providing power from wind turbines, low-impact hydro, biomass, and landfill gas. | Find out how
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Step 2 Support local businesses. Buy products locally, and help reduce the amount of energy required to transport goods. As an added bonus, you’ll be strengthening your local economy. | Learn more
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Step 3 How many Americans does it take to change a light bulb? Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. You’ll save money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. | Learn more
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Step 4 Close the loop and buy recycled. Use 100% post-consumer recycled paper at home and the office, and save 5 lbs of carbon dioxide per ream of paper. | Learn more
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Step 5 Keep an eye on the temperature. Turning the thermostat down 2° in the winter and up 2° in the summer can save about 350 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions a year! | Learn more
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Step 6 Practice the 3 Rs—reduce, reuse and recycle. Reduce waste and recycle paper, plastic, glass and metal whenever possible. | Learn more
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Step 7 Batten down the hatches. Insulate your home, and caulk and weather strip doors and windows to reduce heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer. | Learn more
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Step 8 What’s your footprint? Calculate your “carbon footprint” and offset greenhouse gas emissions, which are unavoidable, by purchasing energy credits. Credits will provide renewable energy elsewhere or absorb the equivalent amount of greenhouse gas emissions as if you had run your car or your home on renewable power. | Learn more
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Step 9 Vote with your wallet. Buy appliances that have the Energy Star label and purchase products that are non-toxic and safe for the environment. Consumer tips | Energystar.gov
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Step 10Drive smart. If you own more than one vehicle, use the less fuel-efficient one only when you can fill it with passengers. Whenever possible, join a carpool or take mass transit. GoodGoing WNY connects environmentally friendly people for ridesharing. This new Greater Buffalo-Niagara Regional Transportation Council site also lists bus/rail, park-and-ride, and bicycling options. | Learn more


 Check out this site, which lists a large number of on and off campus opportunities for you to get involved: http://www.buffalo.edu/greener_ub/resources_difference.html
Here is a sampling of the links from this site:

“There are many ways for the UB community to fight global warming and improve the environment. Get involved with the green scene—volunteer for the greatest cause on earth.”
• Buffalo Niagara Riverkeepers
• Buffalo Olmstead Parks Conservancy
• Engineers for a Sustainable World
• It's In Your Reach (litter, recycling, conservation efforts)
• UB Building Conservation Contacts Network
• UB Climate Action Initiative
• UB Energy Conservation Programs
• UB Environmental Engineering and Science Club (UBEESC)
• UB Environmental Hall Contact (EHC) Network
• UB Environmental Network (UBEN)
• UB Environmental Task Force (ETF)
• UB Green
• UB Green Partners Program
• UB Green Power Program
• UB Recycling Programs
• UB SWAP
• UB Vehicle Alternative Fuel Program


RELATED CAREERS AND MAJORS

 Biological Sciences: http://www.biology.buffalo.edu
 Biotechnology: http://www.smbs.buffalo.edu/cls
 Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering: http://www.civil.buffalo.edu/
 Environmental Design: http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/planning/
 Environmental Engineering: http://www.csee.buffalo.edu/
 Environmental Studies (Social Sciences Interdisciplinary, Minor): http://academicprograms.buffalo.edu/sscbp.php
 Geography: http://www.geog.buffalo.edu
Concentration in: Physical Geography and Environmental Systems
 Geological Sciences: http:// www.geology.buffalo.edu
 Industrial Engineering: http://www.ie.buffalo.edu
 Urban Planning: http://www.ap.buffalo.edu/planning/

Check out Career Services Life and Learning Workshop on April 20, 2009 from 5:30-6:30 on Green Careers!

"Interested in pursuing a major/career that deals with environmental issues? Industries such as energy, recycling, conservation, ecology and environmental education offer a variety of career and internship opportunities. A panel of professionals working in these fields will discuss their work and how you can prepare now for a future in a “green” career. All majors and undeclared students are welcome." https://www.ubevents.org/regengine/category_function.php?categoryid=238#