Sustainability is a core issue facing society which involves a diverse group of challenges, including alternate energy sources, consumption and then disposal of waste, endangered species, climate change, water, desertification, and mining. Measures for addressing these issues are as diverse, involving politics, economics, psychological/behavioral modification, cultural change, technology, and science.
SUNY has a number of projects aimed at sustainability. It is committed to using New York state farms and local distributors to provide produce to SUNY schools. It also uses bulk condiments, packaging, composting, and biodegradable disposables. Grow Monroe eat fresh, buy local is a regional initiative overseen by Robert King of MCC’s Agriculture and Life Sciences Institute.
SUNY has also created a 4E Network of Excellence which includes Energy, Environment, Economics and Education. Many four year and community colleges throughout the state are engaged in the energy component of this initiative involving biofuels, wind, solar, geothermal and micro-hydroelectronics. Projects in the SUNY network are involved with alternate energy sources that are cost effective, cleaner with less impact on the environment; non-food based biomass energy sources with less impact on food security (moving from 1st generation biofuels such as corn to 2nd generation fuels derived from inedible parts of a plant); more effective use of low-grade timber and unproductive and marginal farmland providing a renewable and predictable source of energy; and marketing of biofuel feedstocks, providing profitability of farming and logging which improves the economies of rural communities.
MCC is collaborating with SUNY Geneseo on an eGarden project that will involve building a Barn and Green house, solar power, wind turbine power, vegetable oil powered truck and engine (to heat the buildings), and composting. The buildings will stand on a plot on the Geneseo campus and will provide education and research projects for students in sustainability.
James R. Cronmiller, Assistant Professor
MCC Sustainability Steering Committee
02/25/2015 |