the LSI Group

786

Campus sustainability must place great importance on involving students, staff, faculty, and the local community in efforts to reduce our consumption of resources and minimize our ecological footprint. Recycling, conserving water and other resources, turning off lights and appliances when not in use, and many other small actions add up to a lot of energy and water saved. Being a cutting edge institution puts you in the forefront of sustainable leadership in the community and beyond.  Here are just a few example of programs and revenue sources that can be created from this specialized focus:

• Visitors center
• Public conferences 
• Industry specific seminars and workshops
• International conferences
• Student internships
• Trade shows
• Certification programs
• Cutting edge grant programs
• Visitor tours
• Corporate joint ventures
• Intellectual property creation
• Think tanks and innovation incentives
• Publications and journals
• Interactive website
• Guest speakers
• Corporate sustainability leadership programs
• Open to the public education seminars
• Community fundraisers
• Local and national sustainability initiatives

Sustainability is a consideration that affects all aspects of any enterprise, whether it be commercial, educational, or not-for-profit. Broadly speaking, sustainability refers to the ability of an enterprise to maintain and increase its level of productivity, while leaving a minimal impact on the natural environment. Enterprises can be considered ‘black boxes,’ with inputs, operations and outputs. Inputs include energy, supplies and staff. Operations always include the use of resources, including energy and water, and require the transportation of people and goods. Outputs from an enterprise include not only the deliverables of that enterprise, whether they are commercial products or educational programs, but also the waste materials generated by operations and management. Economic considerations complete the cycle: revenue generated by the ‘output’ goods and services must be used in part to procure the ‘inputs’ of the enterprise. The principles of sustainability can be applied to inputs, operations and outputs alike.

In the pages that follow, we provide an overview of how the principles of sustainability can be applied to various aspects of an enterprise, including: purchasing & procurement, energy, transportation, water management and waste & emissions management. In addition, the way in which enterprises interact with each other can also be governed by sustainable ideals. The sections below therefore also cover community and educational outreach as well as joint enterprise ventures and outreach. To focus on sustainability for university campuses and educational institutions, we provide an introduction to Green Campus Certification and a section on curricula options for teaching sustainability in the classroom. A selection of examples of sustainable buildings and a list of resources for green programs conclude this booklet. For more information visit our website at LSIgroup.org, or contact us.

Table of Contents:

• Sustainability: Purchasing & Procurement
• Sustainability: Alternative Energy Choices
• Sustainability: Transportation
• Sustainability: Water Management
• Sustainability: Waste & Emissions Management
• Sustainability: Community and Educational Outreach
• Sustainability: Enterprise Ventures & Outreach
• Introduction to Green Campus Certification
• Teaching Sustainability: Green Curricula
• Examples in Sustainable Building
• Resources for Green Programs
• Index of Sustainability Resources

Shifting Regional Development, From Indonesia to The World

Asia has entered the second year of its global economic expansion and still leading on its recovery. As seen on its exports and investment index, their 2010 first half growth has overcome all regional economics trend. The second half economic growth has moderately towards a sustainable pace, and it remains robust. In short, nowadays Asia is on its all time best phase.

Asia is also heading for stronger currency appreciation. India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand have experienced the strongest real effective exchange rate appreciation in 2010. In August 2010, their currencies were close to their 10-year highest index. This Asian currency’s positive economic appreciation stated on their GDP growth and capital inflow.

As the East go stronger, investors looking at Asia as the most potential place to invest. As the result of funds flow from west to east, Standard Chartered predict there will be an increasing demand for Asian local currency bonds. Asia region, especially South East Asia countries is also the barometer of Asian economic development. ASEAN trade present 25 percents of total South East Asia. For foreign direct investment in 2008, ASEAN was on second place and third place in 2009. Read the rest of this entry »

March 15, 2011

In the wake of the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan at the end of last week, our thoughts and prayers go out to the people affected by the tragedy worldwide.  Thankfully, the country and people of Japan have long been aware of their vulnerability to the dangers of earthquakes and tsunamis. 

Japan is widely regarded as one of the best earthquake-prepared countries in the world. 

Japan’s strict building codes likely saved many thousands of lives in the 2011 earthquake.

As an example of Japan’s strict building codes, the Yokohama Landmark Tower in Tokyo, the largest building in Japan, has a flexible structure to absorb the force of earthquakes.  The 71st floor of the building contatins 2 tuned mass dampers on opposite corners, which reduce the amplitude of mechanical vibrations.  Furthermore, the architectural design of the Tower is structurally similar to that of the 5-storied pagoda temples unique to Japanese culture, many of which have survived intact since the 8th century and even earlier.

The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) is seeking proposals to develop and demonstrate innovative renewable and other environmentally preferred power technologies, or technologies that improve performance, power quality and reliability of power systems.  This solicitation is focused on advancing and developing promising technologies and products that will lead to the successful commercialization of products manufactured in New York State, and increasing markets for these products through strategic demonstration projects and dissemination of results.

This solicitation includes the following three categories of projects.

Category A: Early Stage Product Development, Demonstration Feasibility Assessments, or Technology Facilitation Studies (up to $200,000 of NYSERDA funding per project).

Category B: New Product Development (up to $1,000,000 of NYSERDA funding per project; projects must be phased with no phase exceeding $500,000 of NYSERDA funding).

Category C: Demonstration Projects (up to $750,000 of NYSERDA funding per project).

Up to $6 million in funds is available to fund approved projects.  The deadline for submissions is May 16, 2011, no later than 5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.

Interested parties may contact NYSERDA by calling 1-866-NYSERDA (1-866-697-3732) toll-free; in New York state, the telephone number is 518-862-1090.  Project team members include Jennifer Harvey at extension 3264, Barry Liebowitz at extension 3248 and Richard Drake at extension 3258.  For further information, please visit http://www.nyserda.org/funding/2244pon.asp.

Sorry, you do not have sufficient privileges to view this post. Please enter your credentials in the login area on the lower right hand side of this page.

Sorry, you do not have sufficient privileges to view this post. Please enter your credentials in the login area on the lower right hand side of this page.