GREEN LIVING - SUSTAINABLE CAMPUS 14 FEB 2015

RU ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE Prof Hugo Nel - Chair  Facilitate implementation of the University’s environmental policy, where possible  Advise university w.r.t. environmental management issues & concerns, & curriculum issues [primarily. ……………………………………….responsibility of Faculties]  Working Groups:  Green Fund Working Group - linked to RU Green Fund  Environmental Awards Working Group - linked to RU Environmental Awards  Buildings and Infrastructure Working Group

RU GREEN FUND Prof Fred Ellery – WG convenor  Objective – to support learning and practice in terms of  Sustainability … and how it relates to Green Fund to promote sustainability Water Energy Waste Management Biodiversity Integrated Planning Travel Purchasing Community Engagement

RU GREEN FUND Prof Fred Ellery – WG convenor  Implement through:  Fundraising  Networking, collaboration, awareness raising, outreach  Knowledge creation & information exchange  Influencing University policy  Curriculum Green Fund to promote sustainability

MAKANA GREEN FUN RUN 15 March 2015

DISCUSSION Chat with your neighbour(s) – 3 minutes  The Makana Green Fun Run is about sustainability / community / fun / sport / fundraising / awareness- raising …?  How can my team win the prize for:  Best outfit  Biggest RU res team. Outfit that best symbolises or promotes environmental sustainability. RU res with highest proportion of students participating in fun run. All of the above!

RU ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS Prof Jo Dames – WG convenor  Rewarding practices that promote sustainability.  Meet at least three of the criteria:  Practices that promote human & ecological health  Collaborative efforts to build community relationships  Leading by example  Evidence that activities in place 18 months or longer  Evidence of strategies to ensure continuity of activities  Deadline for nominations: 28 August

RU ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS  Four categories considered:  RU department or institute or section (within division)  RU student society/residence  RU individual (staff/student)  Makana community (non-RU individual or organisation)  Deadline: 28 August winners 2010 winner 2011 winner 2011 winners 2012 winners 2013 winners 2014 winners

DISCUSSION Chat with your neighbour(s) – 3 minutes  What is biodiversity?  What is sustainability?  Would I be willing to help promote sustainability, e.g. by paying an extra 2% student fees into Green Fund? It is the variety of living things on our planet. The more variety we have, the more chance there is of adapting to challenges like climate change. When a system is sustained so it can meet our needs - now and in the future. Our natural insurance policy!

Education for Sustainability Water Sustainability Energy Sustainability Sustainable Waste Management Biodiversity Integrated Planning Sustainable Travel Responsible Purchasing Community Engagement POLICY EducationEnergyWasteBiodiversity Sustainable Travel Integrated Planning Responsible Purchasing Community Engagement Water 10 RU ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY POLICY

POLICY OBJECTIVES SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION: The university shall promote, support and expand opportunities for initiatives and programmes that lead to improved understanding, development and implementation of sustainability education across all faculties and disciplines. WATER SUSTAINABILITY: … promote, support and expand opportunities for initiatives and measures that result in efficient management of its water resources, reduced use of mains water, and reduced pollution entering watercourses via storm water drains and sewers, in order to minimise the university’s water footprint and improve the sustainability of Grahamstown’s increasingly scarce water resources. ENERGY SUSTAINABILITY: …support and expand opportunities for initiatives and measures that enable it to manage and use its power supply efficiently, optimise and control the use of energy on campus in order to minimise RU’s carbon footprint, reduce carbon dioxide emissions in its buildings and operations, in line with national and international emission reduction targets, and so contribute to improving the sustainability of Grahamstown’s energy resources. WATER: Demand is often greater than the supply. High costs to get water from natural environment to tap. Users must play a role in conserving water! ELECTRICITY: Demand is greater than the supply. SA sources are non-renewable. Users must play a role in conserving electricity! (Note: renewable energy is becoming less expensive) RU: where leaders learn!

POLICY OBJECTIVES SUSTAINABLE WASTE MANAGEMENT: … promote, support and expand opportunities for initiatives and measures that enable it to minimise its waste generation wherever possible, promote re-use, recycling and composting, and ensure responsible hazardous waste management, in order to minimise the university’s waste footprint. BIODIVERSITY: ….promote, support and expand opportunities for initiatives and measures that promote conservation of biodiversity, enhance ecosystem functioning, and reduce its ecological footprint on campus and in the surrounding community, as well as in all areas associated with university activities and projects. RESPONSIBLE INTEGRATED PLANNING: …make optimal use of its existing buildings and, where expansion is necessary, consider in the first instance sites which are within walking or cycling distance of the rest of campus, integrate its spatial development framework with municipal planning processes, and include environmental scoping in major development plans. The university’s facilities services and operations shall adopt sustainable building best practice, with planning, construction and maintenance that enables water and energy efficiency and environmental sustainability. WASTE: No more permits for landfill sites! Polluting ocean, air, soil and water supplies. We must play a role in reducing waste! BIODIVERSITY: Vital for healthy planet. We must play a role in investing in our natural ‘insurance policy’! DEVELOPMENT: Undermines ecosystems if done irresponsibly. Developers must integrate environmental concerns into plans!

POLICY OBJECTIVES SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL:...promote, support and expand opportunities for sustainable travel, including efficient public and communal transport, cycling and walking, in order to minimise greenhouse gas emissions and reduce traffic and parking congestion on campus. RESPONSIBLE PURCHASING:...promote, support and expand opportunities for initiatives and measures that promote purchasing products and services that reduce the university’s environmental impact, and minimise direct or indirect pollution of land, air and water, including the use of products that are sourced locally and are recyclable or biodegradable. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: …promote, support and expand opportunities for community engagement that promote human well-being and equity and sustainable use of environmental goods and services. TRAVEL: Increases carbon footprint. Congestion/parking problems on campus. We can share transport and use cars less. PURCHASING: Consumerism is killing the planet. Excess packaging contributes to the waste problem COMMUNITY: Grahamstown is affected by our activities. We must give back to the place where we live!

DISCUSSION Chat with your neighbour(s) – 3 minutes  What is ecology?  Does human health depend on ecological health?  Could I do something to make a real difference? How living things relate to each other and to their physical environment. Yes! Learn about environmental issues. Respect others, respect our environment. Use resources wisely, e.g. water & electricity. Buy food that is produced locally. Reduce my waste: e.g.use durable shopping bags instead of plastic bags, avoid printing, or print on both sides of the page, keep a container for drinking water, don’t buy disposable plastic bottled water.

GREEN CAMPUS Mark Hazell Former Manager, Grounds & Gardens

THEN NOW Grounds & Gardens Adding value to the living space

THEN NOW Grounds & Gardens Adding value to the living space

THEN NOW Grounds & Gardens Adding value to the living space

In 50 years our 4355 trees will have contributed about 8 billion Rands worth of engineering services to Grahamstown. Trees & Engineering Services: Maintaining the Asset Grounds & Gardens Adding value to the living space

DISCUSSION Chat with your neighbour(s) – 3 minutes  Which do you prefer: bare paved areas, or green zones with trees?  Have you noticed how a building with trees growing around it is about 2 degrees cooler in summer?  What other services are provided by trees? Trees use up carbon in the atmosphere and produce oxygen – so we can breathe. They provide shelter and shade from the sun. Many provide food, fibre & firewood. They even create the right conditions for rain to fall!

CATCHMENT RESEARCH GROUP  Monthly interdisciplinary seminars on water topics – open to all  Monthly career lounges  2013 Environmental Award!   Jordan Miller - Convenor

RU GREEN  Energy conservation  Community outreach   Yondela Norman - Chair

RU ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEPT Prof Charlie Shackleton  People & Environment  Working at the interface of human and ecological systems  As an academic dept we offer: o Undergrad degree courses in Enviro Science o Public short courses o Postgraduate research and training opportunities o Consultancy advice to external agencies o Internal networking and support for on-campus initiatives

RU ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE DEPT Prof Charlie Shackleton Activity 1.Identify five local or global environmental issues 2.Consider the role of people in contributing to or solving those issues 3.Consider your individual role in contributing to or solving those issues.

GALELA AMANZI  Water-wise practices  Student leadership development  Sustainable community initiatives  2009 Environmental Award!    Elri Steenkamp / Ameil Harikishun - Chair

ENVIRONMENTAL LEARNING RESEARCH CENTRE Prof Rob O’Donoghue  ELRC:  Postgrad research & training  Short courses  On-campus networking & support  Activity : Amanzi for food

Small Scale Food Garden Makana RCE Short Course on Changing Practice Waste Refuse, reduce and re-use waste better Water Capture, store and clean water better Gardening Grow vegetables at low cost. Biodiversity Plant trees that provide food and seasonal benefits. Health and Energy Make health giving broth, bread, jam and greens at low cost.

ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS  Kowie Catchment Campaign  WESSA  Working for Water  Umthathi Project  Botanical Society  And many more 

The Grahamstown Branch committee meets once a month and organises a programme of talks and outings throughout the year. The committee also performs a watchdog function and supports other environmental organisations and initiatives in Makana. People Caring for the Earth Elephant Experience 2011

WESSA – W ildlife and E nvironmental S ociety of S outh A frica GRAHAMSTOWN BRANCH PO Box 73Grahamstown 6140 Tel. +27 (0) Cell +27 (0) Branch Chairman: Margaret Crampton Membership: to become a WESSA Member, link online to or obtain a membership form from the WESSA table and check out the different categories of membership. Local Branch News and Programme: to be added to the mailing list, please or SMS Roy Lubke with your name and address and cell no : or Rhodes WESSA Student Group and News: contact Darika Santhia at

(Sheena Talma & Sam Houghting – Chairwomen)  Promoting social and environmental sustainability through outings & wildlife projects

WILDLIFE CLUBS CONSERVATION THROUGH KNOWLEDGE

 SRC Office SRC Number 362, Biko Building    Chelsea Idensohn  Environmental Committee member  Assist & advise and meetings with Environmental Reps 33 SRC ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCILLOR

Nikki Kohly  Alumni House, Lucas Avenue  ,    Environmental Committee member  Assist and advise Environmental Reps 34 SAFETY HEALTH & ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER

CONCLUSION  All of us CAN help promote sustainability by getting involved in something to do with …  Water  Energy  Waste  Biodiversity  Sustainable Travel  Responsible Purchasing  Community engagement Great!!!  Education for Sustainability  Integrated Planning

Please move across to the Union/Steve Biko lawns:  Visit the GREEN STATIONS!  Short activities & info  RMR enviro music! 1.Catchment Research Group 2.RU Green 3.Enviro Science Dept 4.Galela Amanzi 5.ELRC 6.WESSA 7.WildREACH ACTIVITY Thank you!