Take the 2023 Sustainability Survey
The Office of Sustainability has made a commitment not only to integrate sustainable practices into our campus operations and strategic planning efforts, but also to prioritize sustainability outreach and education within the community. We’re checking in with Chapman students, staff, and faculty to evaluate how we can best honor these commitments. Provide your input on sustainability initiatives such as energy conservation, waste management, transportation services, educational resources, and much more by taking our survey.
Winter Energy Conservation
As winter arrives, let's focus on saving energy and being kind to our planet. For those in a colder climate, keep your home warm by closing doors and windows tightly and using heaters wisely - turn them down when you’re away or sleeping. Even in warmer climates, there are simple ways to be mindful of your energy use during the winter. Consider using natural sunlight to warm your home during the day, and use fans instead of air conditioning when possible for cooling. Ensure doors and windows are well-sealed to maintain a comfortable temperature without excessive reliance on heating or cooling systems. These simple steps help us save energy, money, and take care of our environment during the winter. Let's all do our part for a greener winter season!
Ecolympics Updates
Check out the standings for the Ecolympics energy conservation competition at Chapman Grand taking place this semester! So far, each floor has made improvements in energy use as compared to last year, but Floor Two is in the lead after month one. There are less than two weeks left in the competition, and each floor is working towards conserving the most energy to win the Ecolympics! Even if you do not live in Chapman Grand, you can still make a difference in energy conservation - see our tips above on how to do so! Check our Instagram to find out who the Chapman Grand Ecolympics winners are later this month.
Chapman’s Food Digester is Reducing Carbon Emissions
Did you know that this past May, we installed a food digester at Randall Dining Commons to reduce Chapman’s environmental impact? The food digester takes pre- and post-consumer food waste and breaks it down so that only wastewater remains, greatly reducing our contribution of materials to the landfill. Here are some highlights of the carbon emission reductions we’ve made by using our food digester:
In just one day, the digester successfully reduces an average of 0.05 Tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to the carbon footprint of 128 miles driven by an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle.
Throughout November, the digester reduced 12 Tonnes of carbon, which is comparable to the electricity use of 8.6 homes for an entire year. To put it in perspective, this is also equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions avoided by recycling 1905 bags of waste instead of sending these materials to landfills.
Since May, the total carbon reduced so far has reached 64 Tonnes. This amount is equivalent to the carbon captured by 280 acres of forest area, double the size of Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom.
If you are interested in learning more about the food digester, watch our reel about it here!
Chapman Community Garden Spotlight
The Chapman Community Garden contains 16 garden beds maintained by Chapman students who have been working hard to grow fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Learn more about their garden beds in our recurring spotlight section!
Abby's Garden Bed
What are you growing in your garden?
This semester I’m mainly growing a few different types of tomatoes—Roma, Better Boy, Early Girl, and Beefsteak. Normally tomatoes aren't grown in the fall, but Southern California’s climate is warm enough where they will still grow quite nicely, albeit a little slower than the summer or spring. I also threw in some basil and spring onions along the side of my garden bed. The basil and tomatoes are perfect for making pasta sauce too.
What have you learned while gardening in the Chapman Community Garden?
I’ve learned how much joy can be found from walking outside and harvesting and eating a piece of food you grew yourself. I've also learned how easy gardening can be—I planted a few tomato seedlings the first week of the semester, watered my plot every 2-3 days, and now I have more tomatoes than I can eat by myself!
What are you excited to grow in the spring?
I want to try growing some carrots and cucumbers—I love making cucumber salad, so having cucumbers ready whenever I need them would be great. I'll also try to maintain my bed over interterm, so that my tomato plants can keep producing in the spring.
December Sustainable DIY
This holiday season let's make our gift-giving traditions more special by embracing eco-friendly gift-wrapping practices. Opt for sustainable alternatives such as reusable fabric gift wraps, recycled wrapping paper, or even repurposed materials like old newspapers. Traditional glossy and glittery wraps often contain non-recyclable materials. Consider using natural elements like twine, jute, or reusable ribbon instead of single-use plastic bows. You can even get creative by incorporating reusable gift bags or repurposing old scarves or cloth napkins to wrap your presents. By choosing eco-friendly gift-wrapping options, we not only reduce our environmental impact, but also add a personal touch to our gifts. Let's spread joy and sustainability this holiday season with mindful and eco-conscious gift wrapping!
New Years Resolutions for a Sustainable 2024
As we approach the new year, let's make resolutions that not only benefit ourselves but also contribute to a healthier planet! Here are some sustainable New Year's resolutions:
Start Recycling: Commit to recycling more effectively. Ensure that you're aware of your local recycling guidelines and make a conscious effort to recycle materials such as paper, plastic, glass, and metal. Refer to our IG highlight called Sorting Waste or the Waste Management page on our website for more information!
Plant a Garden: Embrace the joy of growing your own food! Whether it's a windowsill herb garden or a backyard vegetable patch, cultivating your greens reduces your carbon footprint and nurtures your green thumb. Sign up for a garden bed in our community garden for next semester to begin your gardening journey!
Compost Organic Food Waste️: Turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost. Composting not only reduces landfill waste but also enriches the soil, promoting healthier plants and a more sustainable ecosystem. Use your compost to nourish your gardens!
Support Local Businesses️: Support your local businesses and farmers! The transportation industry is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. - by choosing locally sourced products, you're reducing shipping emissions!
Eat Less Meat and Dairy: Consider incorporating more plant-based meals into your diet. The meat and dairy industry are a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Understanding your daily consumption and cutting back can positively impact your health and the environment.
Purchase Less Online and Consume Responsibly: Be mindful of your online purchases and their environmental impact. Opt for quality over quantity, support sustainable brands, and reduce packaging waste by choosing products with minimal packaging.
These are all great ways to lead a more sustainable lifestyle in 2024! Small and consistent actions collectively make an enormous difference. Here’s to a greener, healthier, and happier 2024!
Article Picks
A hundred thousand New Yorkers currently live in low-lying coastal neighborhoods affected by chronic flooding that is exacerbated by rising sea levels caused from climate change. Tidal flooding like the kind we see in parts of Queens makes climate change a significant existential threat for vulnerable communities. For many, these floods mean days off work, children missing school, or skipped doctors' appointments. Read about the potential solutions the city is already implementing.
New initiatives are coming to fruition with many airline companies committing to the use of ethanol—made from corn-- for fuel. While this is a step in the right direction for transitioning to clean energy, it raises concerns for the nation's limited supply of groundwater, as corn production will likely have to double to meet the needs of ethanol production. Discussions like these are a powerful example of tradeoffs that can arise as the world tries to transition away from fossil fuels.
Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard discusses how the use of cheap and low-quality materials leads to a system of unsustainable worldwide consumerism. Manufacturers benefit from making goods from lower quality materials, making it cheaper for the consumer to replace the product instead of repairing it. Chouinard urges governments to incentivize the use of high-quality sustainable materials and penalize imports of cheap materials that lead to more waste and pollution.
