Best Practices, Communicating Sustainability 2013 California

Best Practices, Communicating Sustainability 2013 California Higher Education Sustainability Conference Dennis Elliot, PE, CEM Ravi Sahai Assistant Director - Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability Team Manager - PowerSave Campus Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo

Sustainability Educational Outreach at Cal Poly SLO Goal - Reach out to students, staff, and faculty to: Educate, inform and raise awareness Engage and motivate Recognize and reward achievement

PowerSave Campus Program Non-profit Alliance to Save Energy partners with the CA Investor Owned Utilities PowerSave Campus has 16 campuses in CA Conducts projects in four program areas: - Outreach & Education Measurable Energy Savings Academic Infusion Green Workforce Development

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: The Team We are a team of student interns working to promote energy efficiency and environmental education on the Cal Poly campus.

Outreach to students by PowerSave Campus : Dorm Energy Competitions – up to 4,200 participants! Interactive Energy Dashboard Involvement in SOAR, WOW and Open House programs Sustainable Job Fairs and Career Mixers “Green Spot” articles in Mustang Daily, KCPR radio spots Awareness Months Tabling at UU hour For-Credit Internships

Outreach to Faculty, Staff by PowerSave Campus Green Campus Certification for offices/departments Sustainability Mentor Program Biannual stakeholder meetings (with free food!) Close work with staff in Housing, ASI, Corporation, and Campus Dining – working groups For Credit Internships Class Presentations Awareness Months Newsletters

Biennial Sustainability Progress Report Glossy full color publication First issued in 2006, published every two years Communicates guiding principles, mission, and plan Established sustainability indicators and metrics, and tracks progress toward goals Involves participation from stakeholders in every campus operational unit Highlights achievements and successes Promotes transparency and holds University accountable

Biennial Sustainability Progress Report Focuses on the following areas: Guiding Principles Highlights and Awards Energy Use Transportation Water Resources Solid Waste and Recycling Greenhouse Gas Emissions Land Use and Development Sustainable Campus Community Operations Sustainability Plan

www.sustainability.calpoly.edu Developed in partnership between AFD, Facility Services, Academic Senate, and both campus Sustainability Committees Central repository – “one stop shopping” Covers all aspects of sustainability at Cal Poly Hosted and maintained by AFD

www.sustainability.calpoly.edu Focuses on the following areas: Guiding Principles Curriculum Research Planning, Design, and Construction Campus Operations Student Activities Metrics Events Awards and Case Studies

Polly the Polar Bear Voice for sustainability on campus Engage and motivate students to save energy Connect energy and water savings to environmental impact

During the 2013 Red Brick Energy Competition

Mr. Eco Environmental Rap Superhero Makes music videos, performs at elementary schools, & outreaches to college students Uses music to empower kids and students to live more sustainably

Mr. Eco’s Accomplishments Performed in front of 16,000 students Videos have received 63,000 hits on YouTube Facebook page has over 1,000 followers Next album, Hybrid Hip-Hop sold in Whole Food’s stores

Lessons Learned Create a recognizable symbol for sustainability on your campus Make the connection between energy and water savings and the effect on the natural environment Create your own sustainability mascot – Ex: San Jose state has revealed their own eco superhero, “The Green Ninja”

Lessons Learned Websites must be maintained, content updated, and links checked Keep source data for metrics in a single secure location Document methodology for how metrics are calculated Anytime you are doing something cool, take pictures!

Contacts and Resources Dennis Elliot – Assistant Director, Energy, Utilities and Sustainability - [email protected] Ravi Sahai – Team Manager, Cal Poly PowerSave Campus – [email protected] Cal Poly University Sustainability Website – www.sustainability.calpoly.edu Biennial Sustainability Progress Report – link at bottom of Sustainability Website main page Cal Poly PowerSave Campus Website – www.powersavecampus.calpoly.edu Cal Poly PowerSave Campus Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/CalPolyGreenCampus Polly the Polar Bear Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/PollyThePolarBear Mr. Eco Website – www.mrecomusic.com Mr. Eco Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/MrEco Mr. Eco Youtube Channel – www.youtube.com/user/MrEcoOfficial