Environmental Indicators

  • Overall energy use per square foot increased by 12% in 2011 due to an increase in thermal per square foot of 16%. This increase is in large part attributable to the 11.4% increase in heating degree days from 2010 to 2011.
  • Electrical use per square foot remained the same as 2010 but remains below the peak 2004 level by close to 13%. Increased hours of operation and equipment demands continue to counteract  gains made through energy conservation projects.
  • Energy projects in 2011 included lighting retrofits in 5 buildings, continued installation of occupancy sensors, and attic sealing and insulation in Wilder Hall.
  • While Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions are 9.6 % higher than 2010 levels, they remain below 1990 emission levels.
  • The increase in 2011 reflects the increase in fuel used to generate heat. 
  • Since neither fuel choice nor degree days can be relied upon to maintain or reduce emission levels, significant work remains to achieve our 2020 goal of 10% below 1990 emissions through reduction in campus energy use.
  • Recycling remains at or above 50%.
  • Routine trash disposal is close to 19% below 2006 levels with recycled materials as a percentage of discarded materials increasing close to 12 % over the same period.
  • Not included in these numbers are construction debris, which is recycled, and Equestrian Center waste, which is composted. Both are excluded because their volume would mask variability of other discards.
  • Capturing and treating storm water to remove sediments is an important component of maintaining and restoring the health of Upper and Lower Lakes and Stony Brook.
  • Prior to 2001, we did not treat any captured storm water. Treatment structures are installed during major construction.

 

  • Maintaining natural areas on campus (woodlands, open space, wetlands) is an important component of our role as environmental stewards.
  • There was no appreciable change in this category for 2011. The slight difference in woodland (down 1 percent) and impervious (up 1 percent) is within the margin of error of the calculation method.
  • The impervious category includes all campus buildings and surrounding terraces, roads, sidewalks, and parking lots.