Episode 44: Climate Action vs. Decarbonization - Higher Ed. Summit 2024
Live session from 2024 Higher Ed. Climate Leadership Summit.
Read MoreEpisode 43: Climate Communications
Featuring guest host Lena Essak.
Read MoreEpisode 40: Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal with Alex Barron and Aaron Strong
Alexander Barron (left) and Aaron Strong (right)
Guests:
Alexander Barron, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Policy
Smith College
LinkedIn | Bio
Aaron Strong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Hamilton College
LinkedIn | Bio
Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Energy and Sustainability at Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.
In this episode we interview two professors and researchers discussing a recently published paper in the peer-reviewed journal One Earth entitled: “Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal: Lessons for institutional climate action from U.S. Higher education.” You’ll hear lead author Alex Barron of Smith College and co-author Aaron Strong from Hamilton College discuss their study of U.S. schools that have announced that they have achieved carbon neutrality. This work was co-authored with Maya Domeshek and Lucy Metz (recent Smith College graduates who worked on the paper) and Laura Drauker (formerly of Amherst College, now at the Boston-based non-profit Ceres), and reflects feedback and input from many other sustainability practitioners.
Resources:
Link to the paper: https://www.cell.com/one-earth/fulltext/S2590-3322(21)00472-3
Alexander R. Barron, et al. "Carbon Neutrality Should Not Be the End Goal: Lessons for Institutional Climate Action From U.S. Higher Education." One earth, v. 4 ,.9 pp. 1248-1258. doi: 10.1016/j.oneear.2021.08.014
Drs. Barron and Strong along with Smith student Lucy Metz also summarized their findings for an op-ed "Five ways colleges should respond to the climate crisis" in Inside Higher Ed.
A different paper by Dr. Barron and others on internal carbon pricing in higher education that may be of interest to some listeners:
Barron, A.R., Parker, B.J., Sayre, S.S, Weisbord, D.J. and S.S. Weber. 2020. Carbon pricing approaches for climate decisions in U.S. higher education: Proxy carbon prices for deep decarbonization. Elementa.
Information about the Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitments.
Production Team:
Episode Transcript:
The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter TranscriptYou can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 40 Transcript
Episode 38: The Political Economy of Higher Ed with Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou
Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou
Guest:
Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou
Energy Systems Strategist -
SMITHGROUP
Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.
In this episode, we talk with with Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou, Energy Systems Strategist at SmithGroup. The discussion focuses on what higher education can expect from federal, state and local governments in the near term, but also a broader discussion about the politics and business model of higher ed. itself. She both challenges conventional ideas and paints a compelling vision for a sustainable future for higher education and the communities in which they operate.
Resources:
SmithGroup website: https://www.smithgroup.com/
Production Team:
Episode Transcript:
The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter Transcript You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 38 Transcript
Episode 37: Designing for the 90% with Kenny Seeton (CSU Dominguez Hills)
Kenny Seeton, Central Plant Manager/Energy Manager at California State University, Dominguez Hills
Guest:
Kenny Seeton
Central Plant Manager/Energy Manager at California State University, Dominguez Hills
Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.
In this episode, we talk with Kenny Seeton, central plant and energy manager at California State University Dominguez Hills. The wide-ranging conversation spans everything from LED retrofits to solar powered golf carts. Kenny talks about how to safely take risks and how to connect systems seeking continuous improvement. He offers up sound advice for energy managers on metering, sensors, occupancy controls, valves, dampers, trend analysis and even phase change materials. This engaging episode is perfect for anyone looking for creative energy solutions for their campus, whether this is your first introduction to energy management or, like Dave and Kenny, you geek out over topics energy efficiency, storage, and more.
Resources:
Connect with Kenny Seeton on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kenny-seeton-424bba3b
CSUDH Receives $1.18 Million for Successful Reduction of Greenhouse Gases — CSUDH News: https://news.csudh.edu/edison-ceop-grant/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=edison-ceop-grant
A Disclaimer from Kenny Seeton: “There are many products out there to accomplish the same results as I did. I am not endorsing any of said products or vendors but only saying that I have had good results with them. I believe more of us need to share good results so that others know that technology exists that can make all of our lives better. Do your due diligence and choose the product or vendor that works best for you and your unique situation.”
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Production Team:
Episode Transcript:
The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter Transcript
You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 37 Transcript