USC Sustainability Practices Revaluated
As news goals are set for eco-friendly learning environments this week, USC sustainability standards fall under scrutiny.
Sustainability company Green Technology held the 2011 Green California Schools and Community Colleges Summit Monday at Pasadena Convention Center. The summit is the nation’s most significant K-14 event focused on building, running and teaching eco-friendly classrooms and campuses.
“The 21st century has been called the ‘century of the environment.’ Governments -and individual citizens - can no longer assume that social challenges such as pollution, dwindling natural resources and climate change can be set aside for future generations,” according to Green Technology. “Through policy, research, education, incentives and forward-looking relationships with industry, government can play a central role in building a green future, community by community.”
In light of the convention, USC’s green efforts have come into question. From 2001 to 2009, greenhouse emissions increased by 19 percent while the total amount of natural gas emissions increased by 31 percent, according to a report.
“USC has made some effort to become eco-friendly, but most of its efforts fall short,” said USC Associate Professor of Operations Management Grey Sosic. “The biggest problem is the lack of coordination between departments.”
Sosic emphasized the limited effort of students and staff. Student groups such as CALPIRG participate in their own projects while the university lists a community garden as its only partnered sustainable venture. Sosic adds that eco-practices do not appear to be a high prioity for the school.
“Although the university has things to improve, they have made a decent start," said Sosic
The university implemented sustainable manners while constructing new buildings on campus. For instance, the Ronald Tutor Campus Center has reflective roof panels to keep the building cool during the day and locally produced building materials to reduce its environmental impact.
"While it is difficult for a university of this size to make drastic changes" said Sosic, " we can still be making much more progress than we have."
