President's Climate Commitment

           Westfield State University, unknowingly to most, is a part of The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), an effort for universities and other colleges to addressed global climate issues.  Those who are a part of the ACUPCC must have an emissions inventory, set milestones in orer to become climate neutral,  reduce greenhouse gas emissions using short-term actions, have sustainability in the curriculum, and create an action plan, inventory and progress reports, all publicly available.

           I think that the campus is making an effort toward reducing their greenhouse gas emissions.  We need to get our reports into the committee and possibly get more people actively involved in these steps.  I also believe that we have also begun to work towards more of the tangible actions that haven’t been listed on their website.  We have implemented the use of solar panels on the roofs of some of the academic buildings on campus, as well as putting in a new cooling system on Wilson Hall.  The solar panels are hooked up to monitors within Wilson Hall that gives you a reading of the amount of energy being generated as well, for all to see. 


           In the ACUPCC 2009 annual report Westfield State University was not in good standing as of December 31, 2009.  In the 2011 annual report Westfield State was in good standing with the President’s Climate Commitment, but they had no paid their membership dues for the 2010-2011 academic year.  On their website for reporting institutions Westfield State was supposed to have a greenhouse gas report in by January 15, 2013 and that is marked off in red, for not being in.  On the actual implementation profile for our campus there are two tangible actions that we have elected to move forward with, out of six options.  There is the establishment of a policy that new campus constructions will be built, at least to, U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Silver standards, or equivalent.  We have written in that all new construction is required to build under the LEED Plus standards of Massachusetts Executive Order 484, and will be working on a similar policy for all local and campus construction projects.  The other tangible action is the encouragement of, and providing of, public transportation for all faculty, staff, students, and visitors of the institution.  The campus has a contract with the Pioneer Valley Transit Authority (PVTA) for full transportation to and from the college on established routes and schedules during the academic school year (Figure 1).  They are looking to extend this to faculty and staff.  WSU is also a member of MassRide and works with them for rideshare incentives to reduce drive-alone trips.

ACUPCC. "Mission and History | Presidents' Climate Commitment." Home | Presidents' Climate Commitment.
                N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013. <http://presidentsclimatecommitment.org/about/mission-history>.

ACUPCC. "ACUPCC 2009 Annual Report."Home | Presidents' Climate Commitment. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://www2.presidentsclimatecommitment.org>.

ACUPCC. "ACUPCC 2011 Annual Report."Home | Presidents' Climate Commitment. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org>.

ACUPCC. "ACUPCC Reports · Implementation Profile for Westfield State University." ACUPCC Reports · Reporting Institutions. N.p., 22 Oct. 2012. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://rs.acupcc.org/ip/8/>.

ACUPCC Reporting System. "ACUPCC Reports · Reporting Institutions." ACUPCC Reports · Reporting Institutions. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 May 2013. <http://rs.acupcc.org/search/?abs=&q=Westfield%20State%20University>.

The Green Initiative

     Holy Name Central Catholic Jr./Sr. High School, located in Worcester, MA, has a green initiative project in the form of a wind turbine.  Kevin Schulte said that the site that was picked is perfect for a wind turbine and that it will be used for both educational purposes in future years but it will also get awareness about the need for renewable energies throughout the United States.  The project cost was $1.5 million dollars but the goal of the project is to be able to provide the school with electricity so it isn't bought through the grid.  More information about the Holy Name Green Initiative can be found here.

More Information: http://www.worcestermag.com/city-desk/top-news/Wind-Power-Partnership-celebrated-at-Holy-Name-165471466.html

Holy Name. "Holy Name - Green Initiative." Holy Name Junior Senior High School | What a 21st Century Catholic Schools Should Be . N.p., n.d. Web. 11 May 2013. <http://www.holyname.net/green/index.html>.

Massachusetts and Climate Change

Climate change is a global phenomenon that is sure to cause a disruption in the normal way of doing things in the coming years.  As the amount of greenhouse gases increases and global warming continues there is going to be a change throughout the world for its climates.  Here in Massachusetts there are a multitude of different impacts that are going to eventually change the way we live from winter sports, to coastal economy, and the seasons that we are known for.

Climate Change in Massachusetts
Impacts	Description / Explanation
Average Annual Temperature Increase	Northeast has been increasing by 0.5% per decade; Reducing snow cover, diminishing fall foliage, driving out native species, increasing invasive species
Winter Temperature Increase	Rising more than twice as fast as annual averages; 4⁰ warmer on average since 1965; Less precipitation as snow (affects economy - shorter ski season)
Average Sea Surface Temperature Rise	Due to carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases; 2012 highest since 1854, above 51⁰; Decline in marine species (cod, right wales); Warm waters increase lobsters( Lower market price)
Ocean Acidification	Due to added carbon dioxide; Decline in marine species (cod, lobsters, right wales, scallops); Fish abnormalities; Reduce plant life
Rising Sea Levels	Rising around the globe; Changes in Ocean Circulation; MA loses average of 65 acres a year; Devastate coastal communities; Destroy treasured landmarks; Freshwater wetlands destroyed; Local wildlife washed out; Marshlands destroyed (No wave buffer, wildlife habitat, or pollutant filter)
Extreme and Severe Weather	Extreme downpours and snowfalls increased by 85% since 1948; Intense precipitation as well as longer dry spells
Lower Snowfall Levels	Amount of snow is declining; less snow falls overall and earlier snowmelt
Drought Stress	Tress become more stressed losing autumn vibrancy; More vulnerable to fire; compromise jobs in multiple industries
Driving Out Native Species	Temperature changes cause locations of native species to move; Move to suitable habitat
Increasing Invasive Species	Insects normally kept in check from cold will be able to expand more; Invasive plants move in
Change in Tree Species Composition	Suitable habitat for species will change causing the native trees to change their locations in order to thrive
Streams	Affected by trees which control erosion, cool waters, and provide food sources; May affect brook trout and Atlantic salmon; Timing and extent of stream flows affected
Loss of Brook Trout/Atlantic Salmon	Affect New England economy of freshwater fishing
Shoreline Change	Due to rising sea levels; Acceleration of erosion; Threaten estuaries and salt marshes
Extreme Heat	Increase in number of hot days in large cities; Vulnerable populations such as small children, elderly, and poor at risk for heat stress, heart attack, and death
Air Quality	Air pollution from smog and ground ozone; Cardiovascular and respiratory disease stress; Poor air quality days increase; Accelerate pollen production; Extend allergy season, increase asthma risk
Agricultural Impacts	Decrease in milk production due to heat stress;  Decrease in crop yields due to rising temperatures, prolonged heat
Winter Recreation	Snowfall decline; Less lake ice; Shorter ski season; Increase snowmaking; Higher operating costs
Season Change	Spring arriving sooner; Summers growing hotter; Winters warmer and less snowy
Summer	Average temp rise; higher heat index and humidity; Expanded season; Summer weather arriving earlier
Fall	Increasing temperatures; Delay in arrival; reduced stream flow
Winter	Recreational changes; Less snow and more rain
Spring	Arriving sooner; Ending earlier; Disruption of plant and animal life cycles; Damage due to extreme precipitation

"Massachusetts Climate Choices in the Northeast: Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment." Climate Choices. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://www.climatechoices.org/assets/documents/climatechoices/massachuetts_necia.pdf>.

Markey, Edward. "The New New England; As Historic Storm Approaches New England, Rep. Markey Releases Report on Climate Change’s Effects on Region." Welcome to The House Committee on Natural Resources - Democrats - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey | The House Committee on Natural Resources - Democrats - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey. Natural Resources Committee, 25 Oct. 2012. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://democrats.naturalresources.house.gov/press-release/historic-storm-approaches-new-england-rep-markey-releases-report-climate-change-s>.

"The Changing Northeast Climate." Climate Choices. Union of Concerned Scientists, n.d. Web. 17 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ucsusa.org/assets/documents/global_warming/The-Changing-Northeast-Climate.pdf>.