Funded Sustainability Initiatives

Claremont Colleges Council of Presidents

2008 Initiatives

Survey of Solar Technologies, Selection of Prototype Systems, and Recommendations for Implementation across the Claremont Colleges

Photovoltaic panelThe team will survey and evaluate solar technologies for their potential reduction in carbon footprint and energy costs at the Claremont Colleges, and will test prototype systems. In addition to photovoltaics, the team will explore solar thermal technologies, which can generate hot water efficiently and inexpensively not only for space heating and domestic hot water, but also for driving absorption chillers for air-conditioning and generating electricity with Stirling engines. [More]

Scripps College Food and Sustainability Community Project

Valencia OrangeFour interrelated student projects will enhance environment, reduce costs, and promote awareness and community:

  1. Olive oil — planning and fund-raising to produce olive oil from campus trees instead of spraying to inhibit fruit production.
  2. Composting — extending composting into the residential halls and offices, emphasizing community responsibility for composting rather than adding to employees’ workload.
  3. Organic garden — using the compost producing organic food.
  4. ‘Fallen fruit’ — making and selling marmalade and fresh orange juice from fruit that would otherwise rot on Claremont Colleges trees. [More]

Analysis and Improvement of the Claremont Colleges’ Tree Canopy

LeafTrees reduce stormwater runoff, improve air and water quality, increasecarbon sequestration, and decrease local ambient air temperatures through evapotranspiration. The team will conduct an Urban Ecosystem Analysis (UEA) of the Claremont Colleges’ tree canopy and devise a strategy to increase the tree canopy to 35%. [More]

2007 Initiatives

Greening the Office Supply Stream at the Claremont Colleges

Recycling Can The office supplies used in greatest quantities at the Claremont Colleges are copy paper and other paper products (e.g., legal pads, Post-it notes, envelopes), ink and toner cartridges, and writing utensils (especially pens). This team determined, to the greatest extent possible, the environmental impacts of these office supplies and recommended alternatives that make both economic and ecological sense. [More]

Urban Ecosystem Analysis of the Claremont Graduate University Campus

Leaf Urban tree canopies provide economic, environmental, energy-saving, and social benefits. This team used Geographical Information Software (GIS) to carry out an Urban Ecosystem Analysis of the Claremont Graduate University (CCU) campus trees. They compiled an inventory of GIS-readable datasets, developed a detailed CCU tree inventory, analyzed the existing urban ecosystem and the benefits that would result from increasing the campus tree canopy, and developed a website to display their results. [More]

Environmental Audit of the Claremont Colleges

Graph of energy breakdownThis team documented the historical usage of key resources and utilities — electricity, natural gas, and water — in order to establish baselines against which to compare future usage, and to identify targets for conservation programs. The team also studied emissions, waste disposal, and recycling programs with the ultimate goal of assessing the feasibility of achieving carbon neutrality within the next decade or two. Finally the team developed recommendations for creating a more sustainable Claremont Colleges Community. [More]

Content © 2007-2009 The Claremont Colleges.
For questions about the Initiatives or this website, please contact:
Michael Ballagh, Assistant Dean, Pitzer College · 909-607-3450 · michael_ballagh@pitzer.edu

Claremont University ConsortiumPomona CollegeClaremont Graduate University Scripps CollegeClaremont McKenna CollegeHarvey Mudd CollegePitzer CollegeKeck Graduate Institute