N.C. State is among the top five “greenest schools” in the southeast, according to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. The ranking evaluated universities on renewable energy, energy conservation, food, alternative transportation, LEED/green building, recycling, environmental studies, green space and campus conservation and outdoor recreation.

In Jan. 2008, Chancellor James Oblinger signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, moving the University towards a plan of climate neutrality.

According to David Dean, outreach and communications coordinator for sustainability, the first step was to release a greenhouse gas inventory, which assesses the carbon footprint by looking at greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from buildings, purchased electricity, travel, purchasing, commuting, etc.

“We completed the first greenhouse gas inventory in the fall, and that was a major stepping stone for us,” he said. “Now we are in the process of creating a climate action plan that is open to all faculty, staff and students.”

The climate action plan will set a strategy and implementation plan to reach climate neutrality on campus. The proposed timeline for the climate action plan is fall 2010.

The University’s alternative transportation options are specifically lauded. These include free commuting options like the “GoPass” that is available to all faculty, staff and students to use on the regional bus system as well as “WolfWheels,” a bike-rental program that launched March 29.

“I ride the bus on Sundays from Chapel Hill, and there is always a big group of students on those morning buses that drop off right in front of D.H. Hill,” Dean said. “There are also faculty and staff that ride daily from Durham and Chapel Hill.”

The University also scored high for infrastructure improvements, such as the work to retrofit Cates Steam Plant into a co-generation facility.

According to the greenhouse gas inventory, transportation is the third largest contributor of greenhouse gases at 11.8 percent. 

“Electricity is our largest area of emissions at 53.13 percent. We get most of our electricity from Progress Energy, but we will be starting construction on a combined heat and power plant for campus that will supply power, steam and water for roughly 30 percent of the campus,” Dean said. “Construction will start in a year and will take one year to complete. It will save us roughly 15 million dollars on the electric bill.”

The combined heat and power plant is expected to provide 11 megawatts, reducing the University’s greenhouse gases by roughly 13 percent.

“Our combined heat and power plant got us bonus points because it’s highly efficient.  It’s one of the first in the state on a university campus — that’s a major undertaking,” Dean said. 

Other recent improvements, such as retrofitting Bragaw Residence Hall into the largest residence hall in the country with LED lighting, showed the University’s green commitment.

“We’re underway with a 19.7 million performance contract that will save the University a guaranteed savings over 20 years of roughly 35 million. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in 13 buildings, about 37 percent, which is a huge drop. It is something that the governor has endorsed,” Dean said. “It’s the largest performance contract east of the Mississippi.”

According to Dean, the project will take one year to complete. 

Marc Metry, a freshman in biology, said he has seen students participating in sustainabilityefforts, but not to a great extent. 

“There are a few kids who I think really care about being green.  But for the most part, I don’t think a lot of people give it much thought,” Metry said.

David McKenna, a junior in chemistry, said he has seen a lot of students recycling in his own dorm. 

“Some people are really into it,” McKenna said. “I remember walking into my friend’s room and seeing his recycling bin overflowing.” 

In addition, Carmichael Gym will also have solar thermal panels installed on the roof, which will provide heating for the pools.

Two other North Carolina universities Duke and Chapel Hill also earned top spots. Dean said there were certain areas other universities scored better on. 

“Carolina has more curriculum around sustainability. The University needs to have more multidisciplinary programs. However, we are starting to cover more curriculum around sustainability,” he said. “There is work going on to refresh the environmental science curriculum and that will truly be a multidisciplinary program.”

Dean said students will have the choice to focus on a certain area, such as renewable energy, a green MBA or environmental research. There is also an interdisciplinary agroecology minor as well as environmental policy offerings.

Becoming a more green campus hasn’t been easy though, according to Dean. “It’s been a long process,” he said.  

“A major pitfall for us is policy from the state level. We can help adjust policy on a University level, but on a state level, there are some that are holding us back from implementing more efficient technologies on campus.

Dean also said changing behavior is critical in achieving climate neutrality. 

“As many infrastructure improvements the University makes, those can only go so far. There has to be behavior change for us to truly accomplish climate neutrality,” he said. “That’s as simple as turning off the light or powering down your computer when you leave your room,” he said.

Dean said he has seen a dramatic increase in the number of students interested in sustainability during the past year. 

“We’re going to have interns out in the Brickyard and at Talley in coming weeks to gather ideas from students in ways that we can make the campus even more green,” Dean said. 

Dean said students can get involved by joining WSEA, the sustainability committee of the IRC, or with the sustainability community of Student Government. “Those are three wonderful organizations we work with on a daily basis,” he said. 

The University will celebrate Earth Day on the Brickyard  April 22.  

“It has been happening on the Brickyard for 10 years. There will be a bunch of local and regional businesses that will help us celebrate the 40th anniversary for Earth Day. 

Campus Cinema will also be playing Garbage Dreams Monday at 7 p.m. at Witherspoon Student Center as part of its Environmental Film Series. 

Dan Monk, a sophomore in English, said it angers him when others don’t do their part in helping the environment. 

“I don’t think it’s too much to ask to just make sure you turn your power off when you leave your room,” he said.