Just Scary -Arizona Water

I don't get it. I looked in vain for the plentitude of solar energy panels I knew I would find in Arizona. In vain. But I didn't expect to find a denial of water issues in the desert too. I don't get it.

For a state that has mandated that all state buildings are to be LEED certified, in a state that has schools that are way ahead in their sustainable goals, in a state with almost unending sunshine - there is little to no use of solar energy. Even Arcosanti the experimental community north of Phoenix is only 15% solar, though they do conserve their water (and I will get to the wonderful ideas that ARE being pursued there, later).

Why is there no solar or water conservation in Arizona?

I went searching to see if it was just me, but found that I am not hallucinating in the sunshine.

PHOENIX - Arizona could become the nation's leading generator of solar power but isn't taking the steps needed to do so, leaving neighboring states to reap the benefits of harnessing the sun's energy, officials told state lawmakers and regulators Thursday.

"The technology to mine your sun exists. I believe this state has been ignoring that resource," said Fred Morse, co-chairman of the Western Governors' Association Solar Task Force. (Tucson Citizen, 2/2/07)

Arizona's relentless sunshine has enough energy to power the entire country.
Yet solar supplies less than half of 1 percent of the state's power. (Arizona Republic, 7/8/07)

Arizona makes me feel better about the poor state of affairs in Michigan. Arizona wastes water - wake up.

To reduce evaporation, water in the early evening or morning. Avoid watering during the middle of the day or late evenings (10 p.m. to 3 am). During the heat of the day, water is wasted by evaporation. (Montana(!!) water tips)

Water early in the morning. Water when temperatures are mild and winds are calm, so less water will be lost through evaporation. (Maryland water tips)

Water your landscaping during the cool of the day: Watering landscaping in the early morning or late evening reduces water waste through evaporation and avoids peak use times of day, which helps us stabilize water pressure. (Modesto California)

Water early morning or late evening versus midday, when evaporation is greatest. Note that morning watering reduces problems with mildews and soil-borne diseases. (Virginia Nursery and Landscape)

You get the idea. Everyone, except Arizona, seems to know that watering in the early morning is the way to go. They seem to be in denial that they live in a desert.

A Meeting of Minds at Prescott College

Prescott College is small in its size, but in my mind, big in its reputation. It attracts people who are interested in Sustainability, and they come to learn. The school offers degrees in sustainability (among others) from undergraduate to a Doctoral in Sustainable Education. I was very impressed with what I heard and saw and hope you will find inspiration from the founder of the Sustainable Community Development program, Terril Shorb, who shared some time with me recently.

Arizona State University (ASU) began as a teacher college in 1885, became a leading research university (Carnegie I )in 1994, and is today one of the leading proponents of Sustainability in the nation. One of the reasons that Sustainability has been able to have a foot hold at ASU is support — from students, administration, faculty, donors, the state, and the University President.

The state has mandated all new state buildings to be silver LEED certified, programs are in place that encourage faculty to work together, students are included in the plans, and — and this is important — the President in on board. Much as I found at Berea, having the support of University President Michael Crow provides a focus at all levels of the schools. For example, ASU is pursuing full carbon neutrality, and has signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. Bonny Bentzin, a manager of sustainability initiatives said that the cutting the bureaucracy red tape is difficult but having the President involved gives the process gravitas.

Please, please, please, those who are on the committee for another President at EMU, find one who supports sustainability, so that we can give our students an education to prepare them for the future of America.

Tribute

I am busy. The excellent and well written article that Geoff Larcom wrote about me in the Ann Arbor News has brought attention to me and to the things that I, and as it turns out, several others on campus are concerned about. I think that is such as good thing. No longer do I feel alone on campus, but there are opportunities that can now be shared by those who care about making EMU a better campus. So thank you Geoff, and thanks to all of those who are also working to bring EMU into the light and making it more sustainable. I am excited to see what the future will bring.

Energy Awareness Week - Mountaintop Removal

Energy Awareness Week has been a success. Last time I held this event it was embarrassing, and could still be considered so in other venues, but for EMU we did well. Next year will be better yet. We have had some wonderful events and speakers during the week (more to come on another post). But right now I would like to focus on my friends doing the good fight against mountaintop removal (MTR), a dastardly process of cutting the tops off mountains to get to the coal, and then filling valleys to create "flat land," in the middle of Appalachia. In the process the coal companies are destroying one of the few remaining traditional cultures in America. Shame. No respect for the land, the mountains, the wildlife, the people.

We were fortunate and had the MTR roadshow give two excellent presentations, educating faculty and students alike to the reality of our electricity - 60% of Michigan's electricity is produced by coal - the dirtiest fossil fuel out there. It is past time to become sustainable, it is time to conserve, to shut off my computer.