Sierra Club advocates reduced campus emissions

Environmental groups debate relative emission of burning coals, tires.

By Belinda Kocen

Published Sept. 12, 2008

Leaders of multiple groups met Wednesday to discuss the possibility of UM system President Gary Forsee committing to reduce MU greenhouse gas emissions over time, and what it would mean for campus energy sources.

The contract would require MU to quantify the amount of its greenhouse gas emissions within the first year. Within two years it would take initiative in two of seven options to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on the campus.

Melissa Hope, development director for Sierra Club Missouri, started the meeting by discussing easy ways for MU to reduce its carbon footprint.

"The coal power plant is a really big piece and is the easiest to target," Hope said.

The coal plant emits many greenhouse gases that increase MU's carbon footprint. The campus supplies its own energy, heating and cooling from the plant. A UM system spokesperson could not be reached for comment about whether Forsee will sign the initiative.

Hope said she wants students and administrators to look at how the campus is meeting its energy needs and research the impact of a range of alternatives to burning coal. Those alternatives could include increasing campus efficiency efforts or finding other clean fuel to burn.

Sustain Mizzou adviser Jan Weaver said the plant is burning old tires because they burn cleaner then coal.

Hope said, however, that burning coal is better when it comes to long-term effects, especially concerning carbon emissions.

She said she hopes to find alternate energy sources such as wind, solar or nuclear power to meet long-term energy needs.

Weaver and Hope both said the students and faculty must convince upper-level administration that alternatives can work.

"This is a show-me state and we are definitely a show-me campus," Weaver said.

Both current Sustain Mizzou President Pat Margherio and former President Ben Datema said there are two approaches to make the case to administrators. The first way is to begin a program and show the results later as a reason for administrative support. The second option is to approach administrators with a problem and ideas to fix it. Both of these options require research and data to back the projects.

Hope said she agreed to research problems and solutions if Sustain Mizzou was interested in helping find energy sources other than the power plant.

But Sustain Mizzou leaders refrained from completely agreeing to the plan.

Sustain Mizzou is already working on 13 different projects throughout campus. These projects include a biking initiative, creating a compost pile and educating students about sustainability.

Sustain Mizzou is not the only student organization represented at the meeting. Green Corps representative Leslie Morrison said her group plans to register as many students to vote as possible before the Oct. 8 deadline.

"There are plenty of other groups registering students to vote," Morrison said. "But we want to talk about renewable energy while they are registering. Most students are on board for renewable energy solutions."