Energy

Sustainability Week: new angle, useful giveaways, and lots of wholesome food

Next week, Mizzou Sustainability Week is addressing topics such as cultural sustainability, science and technology and personal sustainability. These interdisciplinary events reach into a wide range of environmental and community issues. Don’t miss the FREE bike giveaway on Monday, an EcoFeminism Discussion led by Kat Seal, a Recycle Mountain on Wednesday, as well as a … Continue reading »

Mizzou Earth Hour is tonight

This Thursday, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm, various buildings on campus will be turning out their lights in support of Earth Hour. Earth Hour is an international movement to support environmental sustainability efforts across our planet. Each year, people participate in Earth Hour by turning off their lights for one hour on a day … Continue reading »

How to weatherize windows in an apartment or rental house

Photos by Kat Seal It’s a cruel fact of nature that cold temperatures mean high heating bills. But how can you weatherize your home when you don’t own it? If you’re renting a house or apartment, big insulation and replacement projects are out of your grasp. Fortunately, temporary products exist. One is removable sealant. It’s … Continue reading »

Dry your own way: air-dried laundry cuts down on carbon

Fresh data from the Global Carbon Project tells us CO2 emissions increased by 3% in 2011 and predicts by the end of 2012, CO2 emissions will have increased by 2.6%. The projection may be a slightly smaller increase than the year previous, but that is building on top of the highest CO2 emissions in human … Continue reading »

Why trains make me feel like Owen Wilson

By Sean McWay Driving a car simply doesn’t have the flair it did when I was a 16-year-old virgin of the road. These days, traveling can be expensive. With gas prices rarely dipping below $3 dollars, the ever-American road trip is a serious expense. Driving is bad for the environment in numerous ways, purchasing oil … Continue reading »

9 ways the Student Center gets green design right

Guess what! Despite its flashy appearance, the MU Student Center has a pretty light footprint, especially for a building that handles more than 30,000 students, professors and employees. The building’s plans initially explored LEED certification, but the costs associated with this process didn’t fit into the construction budget.

That didn’t stop the Missouri Unions from pursuing its own version of “green” greatness. Not only have they hosted numerous Earth Day events, helped with Sustain Mizzou’s E-Waste Drive and made sure to include vegetarian options in their numerous food events, the building itself features an impressive amount of eco-friendlier elements. Here are nine ways Missouri Student Unions got it right. Continue reading »

Growing Energy: Algae Biofuel for a future climate neutral energy

Check out this crazy awesome video made by Oberlin College student Angus R. Chen. As he illustrates, there’s “algae, algae, algae everywhere!” Why not use it to grow energy?* *Well, ok, there are a few catches. Watch the video to find out more! From the Youtube page: What are biofuels and where do they come … Continue reading »

Environmental events happening soon in Columbia

April will be the busy month for sustainability on campus (look for upcoming Sustainability Week posts soon!) but have no fear!  Between now and Spring Break, Columbia, Mo., has a wealth of environmental events.  Find one that fits and give a new group a chance this spring! MU CAMPUS MASTER PLAN FORUM, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 14: … Continue reading »

Survey investigates energy efficiency in Columbia rental properties

Guest post by Dustin Dunstedter. This survey is an effort by a team of MU graduate students in cooperation with the City of Columbia, and the results will be used to inform important work in the community. We are group of MPA (Masters of Public Affairs) students working on our capstone project. We are fortunate enough … Continue reading »

Solar Dok offers sustainability, convenience

A new picnic table has taken up residence on the south walkway near the Plaza 900 dining hall. The table, called a Solar Dok, is a solar-powered station produced by EnerFusion for charging cellphones, laptops and other devices. Solar energy is collected through photovoltaic panels on top of the table and stored in the base … Continue reading »