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Please describe your institution's greenhouse gas mitigation strategies.
The following strategies represent immediate approaches to climate mitigation the college will implement to meet its Target 1 goal, 10% by 2015 goals.
Greenhouse gas mitigation strategies at JCC will be divided up into four categories:
Energy Conservation (EC)
Comprehensive and ongoing strategies will be carried out to ensure the college uses energy efficiently, thereby reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and release of greenhouse gases.
Waste Reduction (WR)
JCC commits to reducing the amount of solid waste sent to the landfill.
Alternative Energy (AE)
Alternative sources of energy will be investigated and put into practice in order to reduce the college’s reliance on fossil fuel based electricity and heating/cooling.
Commuting (CM)
Actions will be implemented to reduce the number of single user automobiles used for travel to/from campus.
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Please describe your institution's plans to make sustainability a part of the
curriculum for all students.
Making climate change neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students is a requirement of the ACUPCC.
JCC has allocated the majority of its sustainability efforts over the past year into developing a top-quality alternative energy degree program. The degree in Alternative Energy and most of the courses will be offered for the first time in the fall 2010 semester.
Most courses will be offered in Whiting Hall, a state-of-the-art, sustainably designed educational facility scheduled to open in August 2010.
Alternative Energy Program
The economic potential of the clean energy economy has been an increasingly high profile topic in Michigan and across the nation. Many reports and analyses have predicted high job growth within the alternative energy sector. Not to mention the positive environmental significance of a “green” economy.
Consequently, JCC has created an Alternative Energy Associate’s Degree program of study for students pursuing a career in the emerging field of alternative energy.
Courses and labs within this new program will provide students an opportunity to learn theory and skills required to design, install, operate, and maintain alternative energy systems for both residential and small commercial applications. Specific training topics include: energy efficiency, photovoltaic systems, wind turbines, geothermal systems, solar thermal systems, bio-fuels, and hydrogen fuel cells.
Typical job opportunities may be found with firms that produce parts, components, products, and/or services, including installation and distribution of alternative energy systems.
In addition to the alternative energy and sustainability courses and programs, the topic of sustainability has been integrated into other courses at JCC.
Faculty members across the curriculum at the college have incorporated the subject of sustainability into their coursework.
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Please describe your institution's plans to expand community outreach efforts toward the
achievement of climate neutrality.
Social Responsibility
Social responsibility is vital to maintaining a happy and healthy community, both locally and globally. JCC’s values consist of integrity, compassion, interdependence, quality, inclusion, service and professionalism. These values advance ethical decision making and promote a working environment that embraces sustainability.
JCC is following through with its vision of meeting the needs of the community by committing to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and incorporating sustainability into its curriculum to prepare students to succeed in green jobs.
By promoting a culture of environmental stewardship, the college hopes it will encourage its students and staff to reduce their own greenhouse gas emissions, thereby creating a healthier environment for our community and planet.
Sustainable Earth Action League S.E.A.L. is a student group created by Christina Henry (A.S. ’10) in the winter of 2010 with the mission of encouraging, planning and implementing innovative and sustainability projects on the JCC campus or elsewhere in the surrounding community.
S.E.A.L. events and projects are designed to be environmentally sustainable and with respect of JCC’s goals towards climate neutrality. Events and projects have been used to promote awareness of environmental concerns.
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