Sustainable Housing at the Evergreen State College A student research project by Robin Fenske and Mark Retzlaff Winter 2005

Purpose of this presentation Summarize the results of our project Summarize what we’ve learned Does not describe framework or plans for spring quarter

Goal A demonstration of the viability of currently available solutions to sustainability issues Goal requires that we –Maintain widespread applicability –Effect lasting change

Our research question What can be done to make energy use in Evergreen’s on-campus housing more sustainable?

Hypothesis A detailed analysis of the current energy system will reveal effective points of leverage for structural change to a more sustainable system

The Definition of Sustainability Allowing future generations to meet their needs while continuing to the meet the needs of today Therefore: The energy analysis must include the human and financial benefits of the current energy system

Our plan Prioritize energy uses for measurement Gather data on current energy use Determine more efficient alternatives Work with institution to create change

The Data We Collected E-L Dorms A-D Dorms

What happened Specific data collection proved to be very difficult –The meters for the heating energy were not in operation –Electricity meters were not prevalent enough to allow effective metering The housing system lacks the metering mechanisms to use energy savings as leverage

Exploring – the financial cost of housing’s energy use Only a small portion of the total housing budget is spent on utilities There is little incentive for keeping track of the data we needed

Results We disproved our hypothesis –A good analysis of the energy system is insufficient to reveal effective points for change –The housing institution was unmotivated by the prospect of changing to a more efficient energy system

Conclusions When seeking institutional change, –the motivation of the institution should be understood before deciding course of action –the range of potential change due to alternative behaviors is necessary, but not sufficient, for implementing change

Our new hypothesis In order to identify leverage points to move towards a more sustainable on-campus housing, we must know –Motivations of the agents of the system –Alternative behaviors

More depth See our website for –Essays The development of the project A response to the current framework of environmentalism –Plans for the future /students/sustainablehousing /students/sustainablehousing