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Published byLily Snow Modified over 9 years ago
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A New Approach to Offsetting: The College of William and Mary Offset Program Max Cunningham (2013) Dr. John Swaddle
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The College of William and Mary Suburban Williamsburg, VA About 5,800 undergraduate students Public University
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Sustainability Initiative Sustainability has grown within the last four years – Committee on Sustainability Improving transportation sustainability – Carpooling – Public transit usage – Offsetting?
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Carbon Offset Defined Compensating for personal emissions Example: Flight from Richmond, VA to Singapore – Direct Flight: 7,600 lbs of CO 2 To offset: contribute to a carbon reducing project – A town in Kansas replaces its coal plant with wind energy
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Carbon Offset Companies Offset companies identify carbon reducing projects For profit – Prefer big donors as official partners Less than transparent – Unclear how donated money is spent
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The W&M Solution Launch our own W&M Offset Program – 100% of money goes toward energy reduction projects on campus – Give full transparency to donors
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The W&M Solution Cont. Program design: – Identify carbon-reducing projects on campus Example: HVAC renovations Members of W&M community offset their activities by contributing to W&M improvements
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Examples ActivityOffset Contribution Carbon Offset (Metric Tons of CO 2 ) Airplane Flight to Asia$1141.44 Airplane Flight to New York $90.12 Driving an SUV for 1,000 miles $470.59
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Current Status Experimental stage – Results pending Advertisement and promotion Eventual broader participation
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Web of Interaction Study Abroad Admissions Athletics Commuters Alumni Board of Visitors Conferences
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Implications Ease of implementation – Economic setting Put carbon offsetting on a local level – Sustainability reaching a new audience Drive towards carbon neutrality – Education
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Acknowledgements Funding – William and Mary Committee on Sustainability Collaborators – Dan Patterson, Energy Manager – Sarah Hanke, Sustainability Fellow – Development – IT – Creative Services – Study Abroad – Admissions – Alumni Association – Facilities Management If you want to offset: http://offset.wm.edu/ http://offset.wm.edu/
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