Reducing Dickinson's Carbon Footprint

Type of Paper: 
Paper Authored Collectively by an Undergraduate Class
Institution: 
Dickinson College
Course Name: 
Practicum in Sustainability, Reducing Dickinson's Carbon Footprint
Disciplines: 
Sustainability Studies and Science
Admin Depts: 
Board of Trustees
Admin Depts: 
Energy Management
Admin Depts: 
Facilities Management
Admin Depts: 
Grounds
Admin Depts: 
Planning/Architect/Capital Projects
Admin Depts: 
President's Office
Admin Depts: 
Sustainability Office
Admin Depts: 
Transportation/Parking
Keywords: 
Assessment
Keywords: 
Climate
Keywords: 
Energy
Date: 
June, 2011

Findings from an evaluation of Dickinson College’s Climate Action Plan and recommendations are presented. The evaluation was conducted by students in the spring 2011 course Practicum in Sustainability: Reducing Dickinson’s Carbon Footprint, who were charged by the President’s Commission on Environmental Sustainability (PCES) with conducting the first review of Dickinson’s Climate Action Plan and recommending actions for reaching zero net emissions of greenhouse gases. Students in the course spent the semester evaluating the college’s action plan, assessing progress in its implementation, making comparisons to other schools, consulting with on and off campus experts, and researching options for reducing emissions and increasing the effectiveness of implementation. Results of their research and recommendations are presented for GHG emission trends, projections and targets; energy conservation in lighting and supplemental loads; energy conservation in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning; cogeneration and renewable energy; space utilization and new buildings; transportation; carbon offsets; and implementation, monitoring and financing. The students met with PCES at the end of the semester to present and discuss their recommendations. The final report, which is a compilation of their joint work, has been transmitted to PCES and the recommendations will be taken up for consideration when the commission reconvenes in fall 2011.

First Author

Charles
Alcorn

Second Author

Esther
Babson

Third Author

Tanya
Bellingham

Contact Person

Neil
Leary
Additional Authors: 
Lauren Bruns, Timothy Damon, Matthew Gibbs, Melissa Kelly Daniel Kraver, Richmond Lauvai, Rosabeth Link, Heather Livingston, Avery McGuire, Megan Moody, Kent Pecora, Brian Sandrib, Brett Schollenberger, Daniel Vickery, Samuel Parker, Megan Randall, Maggie Rees, Anthony Silverman, Kristina Snurkowski, and Amanda Stevens