With the recent opening of UMD's new LEED gold level certified Civil Engineering Building, it's important to remember that a building's footprint goes way beyond its construction.

Which is why the new building uses floor scrubbers with ec H₂O technology.

The concept is simple, an electrical current is applied to oxygenated water.  The current breaks the water into its basic parts, creating a solution with both alkaline and acidic components.  This solution is highly effective at lifting dirt from the floor and suspending it in the solution, which is then picked back up by the scrubber.

What makes this process so sustainable and environmentally friendly is that it uses only tap water, no harsh chemicals are required!

This is important because it dramatically reduces water and energy consumption as well as pollution.  The only waste created by the floor scrubbers is the water and dirt that is collected.

This type of technology is useful for more than just floors, UMD Facilities Management also uses ActiveIon spray bottles that utilize a similar electrolysis process.  ActiveIon bottles also induce an electric field to the ion solution that kills 99.9% of germs.

These technologies are just as effective at cleaning as conventional chemicals and are a safe, reliable and convenient alternative.

It’s evidence that supports the notion that going green doesn’t necessarily require sacrifices, just a bit of innovation.

The sun is an enormous fusion reactor.  One that’s about 93 million miles away from us, holds the majority of the mass of our solar system and has an output of 3.8*1033 W.  It’s the origin of most of the energy that we consume, from hydroelectricity and wind power, to fossil fuels and biofuels.

And then there are the ways in which we actively utilize sunlight to meet our energy needs, such as photovoltaic cells, passive solar heating and using natural lighting.  These are all energy harnessing methods that are being employed across the UMD campus.

The new Bagley Nature Center, which opened in June, was built to utilize the sun’s energy to its fullest potential.  A roof-mounted solar  array was designed to meet 90% of the energy needs of the building.  And with the long summer days and sunlight’s low angle of incidence this time of year, the building is receiving its fullest potential of energy.  The building also requires little to no lighting during the day, as it was constructed with large windows and solar tubes that allow for an abundance of natural lighting.

A 5.8 KW photovoltaic array can also be found atop of Malosky Stadium.  The live output for the array can be found online at the Solar Research Project website.

Found throughout campus are the BigBelly trash compactor units. These units rely on solar power for their compaction process, reducing the number of pick ups and overall emissions.

Keeping an eye out for ways to conserve energy is a responsibility that we all share.  But we also need to look towards the future and where we obtain our energy from.

A future powered by solar energy could definitely be a brighter one.

With the addition of a new compressed air pump on campus, biking at UMD has never been as convenient.

There are plenty of biking resources available to students, faculty and staff who choose to bike to UMD, as well as some for the larger Duluth Community.

The newest of these resources is the compressed air pump beneath the Dining Center, installed by UMD Facilities Management earlier this month.  The unit will be available year round to fill deflated tires, as the compressor is stored inside the building, while the hose is run outside through a wall.

Continental Ski & Bike representative and UMD Sustainability Office intern David Rosen also gives free bike tune-ups during the weekly farmer’s market.  The Market Day in the Plaza takes place every Wednesday from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m at the Kirby Plaza.

Other biking resources include bike racks around campus and six year-round bike lockers, located adjacent to the new air compressor.

Biking is not only a healthy choice, but also a sustainable one.  Approximately one pound of CO2  is emitted for every mile driven.  Biking is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, and there’s no better time than now to enjoy Duluth’s gorgeous scenery with a relaxing ride around town.

Sustainability staff within the University of Minnesota System from around the state met in Duluth on Thursday and Friday for the annual Sustainability Summit.

The summit was intended to give members of the University sustainability community a chance to share their progress, goals and ideas about how to promote sustainability as well as the future of sustainability throughout the University System.  Representatives from the Twin Cities, Duluth, Morris and Crookston campuses were all in attendance.

Discussions included the biomass curriculum development at Morris, a presentation on the Sustainability Minor at the Twin Cities campus and how to work together on a System-wide approach to sustainability.

Representatives were also given tours of the new Bagley Nature Center, the UMD Edible Landscape project's Burlap Garden, and the UMD Rain Garden constructed in 2006, some of the recent and unique features in sustainability present at the Duluth campus.

Portions of Friday's lunch, catered by UMD Catering Services, were also obtained from local sources. 

The first Sustainability Summit was held in Morris in 2009 and will be held at the Twin Cities in Summer 2011.

Cinematic Weekend Marks Minnesota Sea Grant's 35th Year

A Lake Superior Day Event at Zinema 2
For 35 years, Minnesota Sea Grant's scientific research and public education programs have contributed to vital stewardship of Minnesota's coastal environment and its economy.  To celebrate its anniversary in conjunction with Lake Superior Day festivities, Minnesota Sea Grant invites the public to attend a cinematic all-water weekend, featuring:

OCEANS (the Disneynature movie) - Friday, July 16, 7 p.m. Our planet is mostly water, and through unprecedented underwater scenes, OCEANS brings viewers up close and personal with walruses, spider crabs, great white sharks, orcas, humpbacks, sea turtles, dugongs, and waves upon waves as only Disney's spectacular cinematography can.
 

THE END OF THE LINE  - Saturday, July 17, 5 p.m. (A documentary on overfishing with discussion following.)  This film uses stunning photography to tackle the important issue of overfishing and protecting the world's oceans.  The film recently won the Environment Award at the 2010 One World Media Awards, during which the film's director reminded audiences that overfishing is as much social and economic as it is environmental. 

FLOW (For the Love of Water) - Sunday, July 18, 5 p.m. A documentary on water privatization offered through Lake Superior Day partner, the League of Women Voters. Scientists reveal an emerging water crisis based on the world's dwindling supply of fresh water--with an eye on politics, pollution, and human rights.
The films are being shown at Zinema 2 at 222 East Superior Street in Duluth. They are free and open to the public. So, after a day spent in awe of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds or perhaps at the beach on Park Point, join Minnesota Sea Grant for a refreshing evening of film-viewing in air-conditioned comfort.

Movies are free and open to the public, thanks to a grant from Minnesota's Lake Superior Coastal Program and NOAA.