This form shows our idea of a Draft Environmental Policy for Caltech.
What is shown here is a broad statement that would appear in the Caltech
Administrative records. The specifics of its implementation should be
decided on later, possibly by committee, and issued as a separate,
amendable statement.
Please submit your comments and they will be posted on this page post
haste.
Check out the Sustainable Campus Policy Bank or Second Nature for
more examples. Programs that might be particularly relevant to Caltech
are:
Draft of an Environmental Policy for Caltech
I. Policy
The Institute recognizes that the [personal, academic, and administrative]
activities of the Institute have an impact on the [health of the local and
global environments], and accepts the responsibility to sustain and
improve the environment, [including the Institute's own environment].
Caltech, as a global leader in science and technology, will strive to
provide a model for environmental responsibility and judicious use of
resources.
II. Program
a. An Environmental Coordinator will be appointed to oversee the
implementation of policy objectives. Duties include a yearly evaluation
of the Institute's progress in meeting the objectives of the environmental
policy, which will be published in the Caltech Annual Report.
b. The policy's objectives are:
- Increase campus awareness of the environmental impacts of all
individual and institute activities;
- Encourage personal accountability to achieve responsible environmental
behavior;
- Minimize solid waste through efficient and appropriate use of
resources and increased recycling;
- Maximize purchasing of recycled and low-impact products;
- Reduce energy and water use;
- Strive to conduct all activities in ways that are environmentally and
economically responsible;
- Work to achieve a healthy working and educational environment;
- Encourage those who do business with the Institute to comply with
these objectives.
III. General
Through its scientific research and teaching, the California Institute of
Technology is prominent and influential. It is, therefore, highly
appropriate for the Institute to acknowledge its leadership role, not just
in science, but in the wise and conscientious application of science right
here on campus. An official environmental policy would promote a higher
degree of individual environmental responsibility on campus. It would
encourage the Institute to conduct all its internal operations in the
spirit of this leadership role, in an environmentally responsible manner.
This environmental policy would also result in economic benefits for the
Institute, by reducing the consumption of natural resources (e.g. energy,
water, paper etc.) on our campus.
IV. Implementation
- Organizing an environmental audit assessing the waste stream, energy
and water use, pesticide and detergent use, and recycling capabilities of
the campus.
- Publishing and distributing throughout the campus an annual report
summarizing Caltech's environmental efforts, accomplishments, and areas of
improvement.
- Providing education and information to the Caltech community so that
its members can make informed choices regarding the environment and how
their activities impact it.
- Improving the campus recycling program. This includes:
- setting up outdoor recycling bins throughout the campus;
- ensuring that every building on campus has conveniently
located recycling bins for white paper, mixed paper, aluminum, glass, and
plastic;
- ensuring that custodial services has sufficient funding to
support the expanding recycling facilities;.and
- educating the Caltech community about the 'what', 'why', and
'how' of recycling.
- Establishing energy management strategies for turning off lights,
computers and other equipment when not in use.
- Promoting Caltech's purchase of "Green Energy."
- The incorporation in the new purchasing system of environmental costs
and benefits, in addition to financial costs and benefits.
- Encouraging environmentally-conscious investment strategies for the
Institute as a whole and also for individuals (through Institute
coordinated investment plants).
Please use the space below to submit your comments or criticisms.
If you support the adoption of an environmental policy for Caltech, and
would like to be added to our petition list, check the box below, and
submit along with your comments :
