To control climate warming, the State of California, in its Climate Warming Solutions Act of 2006, has mandated steep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. According to the California Energy Commission (2007), CO2 emissions from energy use account for 80% of California’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, to better understand the sources of CO2 emissions at Cal State East Bay, to establish an emissions baseline, and to identify key opportunities to reduce emissions, Professor Karina Garbesi conducted an assessment with students in her applied Applied Field Studies class (ENVT/GEOG 3480). Key findings include the following: In 2006, 3.1 tons of CO2 were emitted per person (students, faculty, and staff). Commute related emissions dominated at 26,000 tons of CO2, with the next highest source (electricity) being about 1/3 that of commuting. Electricity related carbon emissions per kilowatt-hour were about 30% higher than the state’s average because of the high coal-content of electricity obtained from the system-wide direct access electricity contract with APS Energy Services. Surveys conducted by the class suggested that a significant fraction of students would be amenable to increased carpooling (61%) and increased public transit (45%) use if they were better facilitated. Electricity related emissions reductions can be easily obtained by imposing carbon standards on future electricity contracts (an action that must be taken at the Chancellor’s Office because they negotiate the multi-campus electricity contracts), and through continued efforts to improve energy efficiency (under way) and add renewable electricity generation capacity on campus.

Download CSU East Bay Carbon Report

The new ocean inlet to Orange County’s Bolsa Chica wetlands that opened in 2006 now provides an opportunity for predators to enter the estuary, so a team of California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) marine biology researchers have begun a study of the effects of these animals on marine life in the wetlands.

Professor Chris Lowe and graduate students Thomas Farrugia and Mario Espinoza are looking at shovelnose guitarfish, a species of ray, and gray smoothhounds, small sharks also known as sand sharks. Their research is supported by a grant from the USC Sea Grant program, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Full Story: Cal State Long Beach Marine Researchers Studying Changes in Fish Life Resulting from New Bolsa Chica Wetlands Inlet

Humboldt State University has established two solar energy initiatives as part of a joint program with California State University and the California Department of General Services to generate eight megawatts of solar photovoltaic power and reduce the human carbon footprint.

HSU is installing 300 kilowatts of solar panels on the roof of the University Library and issuing a contract to install a demonstration 12.5 kilowatt photovoltaic panel system on the roof of the Old Music Building.

HSU expects to derive $36,000 in cost savings each year from the energy conservation effort.

Full Story: HSU Joins Statewide Solar Partnership

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger arrived at California State University (CSU), Dominguez Hills today to announce that solar power equipment will be installed on 15 Cal State campuses and the CSU chancellor’s office. Thanks to an agreement put together by the State of California’s Department of General Services (DGS), the CSU and solar service provider SunEdison have entered into an innovative public-private partnership that will bring affordable solar power to the university system.

“California’s continued economic, environmental and social prosperity depends on sustainable energy and technology,” said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. “As the nation’s largest university system, the CSU welcomes this opportunity to lead the way.”

The CSU system already receives 20% of its electricity from green sources. The new agreements for 8 MW in new solar capacity will raise that total to 25% from green sources. More »

The Mission Bay Aquatic Center, a joint venture of the Associated Students of San Diego State and the University of California San Diego, has installed a new 40,000-watt solar photovoltaic power system.

The system will produce 100 percent of the facilities yearly electrical consumption and will producer more than 60,000 kilowatts of electricity per year from the sun.  It will also prevent over 82,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per year from entering the atmosphere which will be an important contribution to the slowing of global warming and climate change.

Located on Mission Bay in San Diego, the Mission Bay Aquatic Center now has one of the most eco-friendly facilities in the region by utilizing the tremendous environmental and financial benefits of solar energy.

Full Story: Mission Bay Aquatic Center Unveils New 40K Watt Solar Panel System