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  2. Local Carbon Offset Programs

    Associated Project(s): 
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program

    From: Ricci, Marcus <mericci@urbanaillinois.us>
    Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2021 1:32 PM
    To: icap-resilience at lists.illinois.edu
    Subject: RE: [icap-resilience] Revolving Loan Fund example for evaluation

     

    *** Email From An External Source ***

    Today’s Lunchtime Stroll Through the Internet: “Local Carbon Offset Programs.”

     

    I hit on “The Offset Project” which started off in 2010 as a not-for-profit program in Monterey Bay, to fund sustainability programs that reduce carbon emissions: https://theoffsetproject.org/programs-and-services/local-offset-projects/top-local-offset-projects/.

     

    They eventually morphed into a for-profit group that helps/services others to do the same: http://www.bluestrikeenvironmental.com/. One of their clients was UC Santa Cruz and the City of Watsonville, the latter of which instituted a Carbon Fund Ordinance which “establishes a Carbon Fee to be charged to all development projects except single family residential alterations, temporary buildings, and/or building area that is not used as conditioned space. The goal of the Carbon Fund Ordinance is to encourage the implementation of renewable energy in development projects. The money collected from the Carbon Fund Fee are placed in a separate account to be used for citywide greenhouse gas reduction projects.” https://www.cityofwatsonville.org/1765/Carbon-Fund-Ordinance

     

    So, if we (someone) wanted to pick their brains (for free) Kristin from Blue Strike Environmental would be willing to chat with us, and provide the Power Point presentations they used at City of Watsonville.

     

    The UC Santa Cruz Carbon Fund sounds similar to UIUC’s sustainability funds, so it could be used, in general, to pay for offsetting carbon: https://sustainability.ucsc.edu/engage/funding/carbon-fund/about/index.html.

     

    By the way, I *really* dislike the use of the word “offset.” I feel that an offset is when you are paying for emitting something, when what we are trying to do (I think?) is actually *reduce* carbon emissions.

                    Merriam-Webster: : to cancel or reduce the effect of (something) : to create an equal balance between two things

     

    Are we trying to reduce the emissions themselves? Or allowing all of the emissions and just fixing their effects?

     

    Be safe, stay healthy,

    Marcus

     

    Marcus Ricci, AICP
    Planner II

    Community Services Department | City of Urbana
    400 S Vine St | Urbana, Illinois 61801
    217.328.8283

    cid:image001.jpg@01D799AC.BF71CD50

     

    Scott Tess shared these resources for local projects: 

     

    https://www.green-e.org/certified-resources/carbon-offsets

     

    https://www.climateactionreserve.org/how/voluntary-offset-program/

     

  3. Winter Meeting Agenda

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team

    University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

     

    Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation

     

    This Week in Illinois Research

     

     

    An Era Ends, a New Frontier Begins

     

     

    We're approaching the end of the semester, the end of the year—and the end of a storied chapter in the history of the Illinois research enterprise. On December 31, the Blue Waters supercomputer will cease operations after its extended years of service.  

    It's hard to overstate the impact of Blue Waters. When it fully came online in early 2013, we were planning to operate the system for five years. Now, nearly nine years later, we are wrapping up one of the most successful projects in our university's history. With insights into such diverse topics as genomics, gerrymandering, and geospatial data (and so much more), the Blue Waters team and the scholars who used the machine set the standard for using high-performance computing in boundary-shattering research. 

    While we celebrate the discoveries that Blue Waters made possible, as authors of technology and innovation we are ever focused on the future. I'm so pleased that our incredibly valuable Blue Waters team will be deployed to other projects at NCSA, including the emerging New Frontiers Initiative. I am grateful to Bill Kramer and Bill Gropp for their vision and leadership as we take the next steps in exploring what lies ahead. Blue Waters may be ending, but its impact will live on, far into the future!

    Sincerely,

    Susan

     

     

     

     

     

     

    An archive of these email announcements is available here. 

    Subscribe to the This Week in Illinois Research mailing list. Unsubscribe from the mailing list.

     

     

  4. Sustainability Gen-Ed Student Survey

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Gen-Ed Requirement

    Please take this survey regarding the sustainability general education requirement: https://forms.gle/UGho4xcS8hx8Rw5aA

    Proposal information is attached. 

    This proposal calls for a 3 credit-hour Sustainability category to be added to the Natural Sciences and Technology gen ed requirement. It will give all undergraduate students the opportunity to take a course focused on sustainability topics to fulfill 3 credit hours of this existing requirement. Read through the attached proposal to learn more, and fill out the survey below to share your thoughts on this proposal. We appreciate all responses.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    Green Research Committee
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)

    The Sustainability Council is in support of the formation of a Green Labs Committee, as discussed at the meeting on November 29, 2021. Jan Novakofski, Associate Vice Chancellor for Research, also expressed support. A training component and Certified Greener Campus Program opportunities will be two items to include in committee discussions. For future updates, see the Green Labs Committee project page. 

    =====================

    See transmittal and iWG assessment of Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs here. 
    See submittal of Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs here.

  6. Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs - Transmitted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Green Research Committee
    Green Lab Program
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Sustainability Council

    Following the completion of iWG assessment for Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs, the recommendation was transmitted and discussed at the Sustainability Council meeting on November 29, 2021.

    See iWG assessment of Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs attached.
    See submittal of Energy006 Integrate iCAP Goals into Research/Learning Labs here.

    Attached Files: 

  7. Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan - Successful

    Associated Project(s): 
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Clean Energy Plan
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    Sustainability Council

    The Sustainability Council is in support of the development of a Clean Energy Plan, as discussed at the meeting on November 29, 2021. Madhu Khanna and Ehab Kamarah agreed to work together on behalf of iSEE and F&S to move this forward and go through the RFP process.

    ===============

    See transmittal and iWG assessment of Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan here.
    See submittal of Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan here.

    For future updates, see the Energy Planning Document project page.

  8. Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan - Transmitted

    Associated Project(s): 
    Energy iCAP Team
    Energy iCAP Team Recommendations Summary
    iCAP Working Group (iWG)
    Clean Energy Plan

    Following the completion of iWG assessment for Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan, the recommendation was transmitted and discussed at the Sustainability Sub-Council and Sustainability Council meeting on November 29, 2021.

    See iWG assessment of Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan attached.
    See submittal of Energy007 Implementation of Comprehensive Energy Plan here.

    Attached Files: 

  9. Sustainability Council Meeting 11-29-21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Sustainability Council
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Student Sustainability Leadership Council (SSLC)
    Clean Energy Plan
    Fossil Fuels Divestment - Support Letter
    Green Research Committee
    Green Lab Program
    Rainwater Management

    The Sustainability Council met on 11-29-21. The presentation is attached and the agenda was as follows:

    • Student group updates (SSC, SSLC, ISG)
    • Clean Energy Plan
    • Rainwater strategies
    • Green Labs
    • Strategic next steps (iCAP in campus strategic plan, AASHE STARS Platinum ranking)
    Attached Files: 

  10. 15 permanent bicycle registration signs installed

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Registration
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)

    15 metal signs to promote bicycle registration have been installed. These locations are:

    1. Snyder Hall
    2. Weston Hall
    3. Bike Shelter (new) by Flagg Hall
    4. Nugent Hall
    5. Hopkins Hall – covered bike parking
    6. Bousfield Hall – covered bike parking
    7. South of Wassaja Hall – covered bike parking
    8. Busey Evans
    9. Allen Hall
    10. LAR
    11. ISR (new bike racks on North side)
    12. ISR - North East location - 64 bike racks
    13. Illini Union South
    14. Illini Union North
    15. ARC
    Attached Files: 

  11. Career Services Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Green Jobs
    Resilience iCAP Team

    Stacy Gloss and Meredith Moore met with Amanda Cox and Samantha Potempa from University Career Services to discuss how to connect students to Green Jobs and Green Job Certifications.  Career Services staff described the services provided for students. Career Services across campus are distributed between the Colleges and students can meet with the central Career Services group or academic & career advisors in the College of their major. Career Services can provide presentations to both classrooms and RSO student groups. Trained peer career advisors can give presentations on interviewing, resume writing, Linked-in profiles and personal statements. A Career Services Council meets on a quarterly basis to discuss current issues and affairs. iSEE can have a representative join the Career Services Council. 

    Additional resources for students include:

  13. Weekly Update: Kids' Bike Giveaway event; Happy Thanksgiving!

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Things are definitely slowing down and our visitor numbers/sales reflect that. We’re closed this week for Thanksgiving Break but I’ll be working a couple days to catch up on the Kids Bike donations. Over the weekend, we got mention in one of the campus email newsletters, so that’s good. I’ve also arranged for the event to be mentioned in some other newsletters/email blasts going out in the interim between now and the day of the event. I’ll also be getting in touch with some local news stations, since I think that boosted last year’s donation/turn out.

    The official details for the Kids Bike event are:

    The Bike Project of Urbana-Champaign, in partnership with the U of I Campus Bike Center, is hosting a Kids’ Bike Giveaway this holiday season.

    We are currently accepting donations of all kids’ and teen bikes, regardless of condition, and then refurbishing them to give back to young folks in the community!

    Donations can be made at the Urbana Bike Project (202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana) or at the Campus Bike Center (51 E. Gregory Dr., Champaign). Please call (217) 469-5126 or email contact@thebikeproject.org to arrange a donation.

    *Giveaway Event*

    Date: Saturday, December 11th, 2021
    Time: 1 pm – 3pm or until we run out of bikes
    Location: Urbana Bike Project (202 S. Broadway Ave., Urbana)
    Details: first come, first served; one bike per kid, and they must be present to pick out their bike.

    This week I’m only here Mon/Tues but will wrench on the kids bikes we have—we got three more donated on Friday—then it’s off for the holiday.

    Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 20
    Sales: $179.50
    Memberships: 4 for $120

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  14. TED Talk: Eco-Edition Series - America Recycles Day 11/15/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series
    America Recycles Day

    iSEE's November TED Talk: Eco-Edition event was held on America Recycles Day, November 15, 2021! Nichole Millage (City of Champaign Environmental Sustainability Specialist) and Susan Monte (Champaign County Planner and Recycling Coordinator) led a thought-provoking discussion on the importance of recycling and our role in reducing waste and being part of the solution for solving our plastic pollution problem. The TED Talk by Rachel Lincoln Sarnoff, “Trash is Ruining Recycling” highlighted new innovations and a mindset pivot where we no longer fuel the supply and demand cycle of single-use and non-sustainable items. I encourage you all to share the TED Talk, the presentation (attached), and other information and resources with your colleagues, friends, and families. Continue the conversation and share ideas on our Facebook group, Waste Reduction @ Illinois!

    There are no shortage of resources, documentaries, and information on our waste problem and potential solutions, and we applaud you for staying engaged and informed! Helping to keep the momentum going and spreading the word is a great place to start. Here are a few additional resources that were published this month:

    As a reminder, the TED Talk: Eco-Edition series is a monthly event that is open to everyone. We hope to see you at our next event on Thursday, December 9 at 6 PM (sign up here!). Be sure to sign up for the iSEE Newsletter to stay up-to-date on campus and community sustainability initiatives, programs, events, and opportunities. Lastly, do you promise to always use the recycling bin? You should! Sign the pledge!

    Please reach out with any questions, ideas, or feedback – we’d love to hear from you! Thanks again!

  15. Circular Economy TED Talk 10/19/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    TED Talk: Eco Edition Series

    Alexa Smith, NRES senior and Zero Waste and Engagement iCAP Team clerk, led the TED Talk: Eco-Edition event on 10/19/21. This month's theme focused on the circular economy. Access her presentation here. 

    Together, we viewed Kate Raworth's TED Talk, "A healthy economy should be designed to thrive, not grow". 

    All are welcome to join this fun and engaging monthly Zoom event!

  16. Sustainability components added to campus tour script

    Associated Project(s): 
    Student Sustainability Committee (SSC)
    Build a Culture of Sustainability
    iCAP 2020: Illinois Climate Action Plan
    Sustainability Engagement and Outreach

    The following sustainability topics will be added to the new student campus tours!

    • Student Sustainability Committee (SSC): each year a group of graduate and undergraduate students vote on the funding for projects that have an environmental impact on campus, SSC allocates about $1.5 million annually towards these projects, the funds come from students fees, one of the largest green funds in American higher education today, have allocated $15.55 million towards funding 316 projects since 2008
    • Composting: National Soybean Research Center has a compost tumbler, the first publicly accessible compost drop-off on campus with plans to expand 
    • Environmental Quad Day: environmental RSOs and sustainability groups showcase their green initiatives and participation opportunities
    • Recycling: single-use mask recycling locations on campus; approximately 50 collection boxes available on campus to recycle single-use face coverings
    • Climate Commitments: UIUC has committed to achieving carbon neutrality as soon as possible and has a Climate Action Plan (2020) to outline the campus sustainability plan to advance and achieve our goals 

  18. Resilience Work Meeting 11/18/21

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program
    Green Jobs
    Resilience iCAP Team

    Stacy Gloss, Meredith Moore, Morgan White, and Scott Tess met to discuss Resilience Team work. 

    We discussed:

    • NGICP presentation scheduled for December 10 with presentations by Heidi Leuzler and Eliana Brown
    • NGICP SSC Step II Application to be submitted 11/19/21
    • Carbon Offset Program development. Discussed that "local" for this objective means within boundaries of Champaign County.  Next questions to answer are: Why, What, How for developing a local carbon offset program.

  19. Meeting to discuss Carbon Offsets

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Develop Local Carbon Offset Program

    11/17/2021

    Present: Morgan White, Meredith More, Eric Green, Tony Mancuso, Stacy Gloss

    Gloss provided an overview of the local carbon offset objective as described in the iCAP. There was discussion that there are two sides to the issue. 1. The funding mechanism. 2. What projects are funded by off-setting faculty & staff travel impacts?

    The team was asked to review the carbon offset programs by the University of California System and Duke University as two different models. The first is a campus-system internal model where funds are used to develop projects on campuses throughout the system. A university-system advisory board receives applications for projects and approves the projects that meet program requirements.  The Duke carbon offset initiative involves a portfolio of offsets including a methane capture waste-to-energy at an industrial farm,  urban tree planting program, avoided conversion, wetland restoration, and a pilot program for residential energy efficiency piloted in 2012 --- these programs happen off-campus.

    We agreed that there is an economies-of-scale issue with local off-sets to overcome. For local-community-based projects, the cost per off-set is going to be higher than aggregating funds into one industrial scale project or program. An carbon-off-set company, for example, might contact a city and offer $1.00 per tree for off-sets, but it costs over $400 to install and maintain a tree.  (A program like this appears to generate a very small added value to the paid organization.)

    U of I campus renewable energy & energy efficiency projects can be tracked by the campus energy office. For community off-sets, an agency (university or otherwise) would need to set up a mechanism to collect and distribute funds for community-based projects, perhaps through a non-for-profit interface. Projects can include urban tree-planting, renewable energy, energy efficiency, prairie restoration etc. 3rd party verification is needed.

    As a next step, this team and others must define "local" in "local offset program" in order to meet this objective in the iCAP. Is the program going to be internal to campus, or include the local community as recipients of funds community projects?

    This team must also interpret what the iCAP is saying to off-set. 

    • Annual business air-travel by faculty & staff? 
    • Vehicle miles driven by faculty & staff on University business?
    • All electricity & heat generated by carbon sources for the University of Illinois?

    These questions are fundamental to designing and implementing a local-carbon-offset program.  

  20. Green Certifications Meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Build Resilience with Our Local Community
    Green Jobs

    11/17/2021

    Present: Tony Mancuso, Meredith Moore, Eric Green, & Stacy Gloss

    A meeting was held to discuss student engagement, green jobs, and career planning.

    Agenda items included: 

    1) Possible potential for interviewing iSEE Fellows Minor Grads about their current careers - involving the communications department.

    2) Possible idea for introducing a mentoring program. The idea is to have iSEE fellows grads who are settled into careers serve as mentors for undergraduate fellows in the minor. A program like this would need to have more intentional development and administrative support.

    3) Getting green jobs certifications information onto the iSEE website under the Education Portal https://sustainability.illinois.edu/education/student-resources/.

    Stacy & Tony will work on this.

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