Written by NNL Staff
Thursday, 26 November 2009 12:49
THUNDER BAY - Lakehead is one of 22 Ontario higher education institutions that have signed on to a widely spanned effort to increase campus sustainability measures, continuing to uphold its commitment to use greener, more environmentally friendly options in its daily University operations.
Today at Queen’s Park, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), on behalf of these 22 institutions, provided copies of the Green Pledge and Summary of Green Initiatives to John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, and John Gerretsen, Minister of the Environment for Ontario.
The Ontario university community is deeply aware of the challenges that face the world arising from climate change and the degradation of natural environments. These institutions have accepted this special responsibility on three scores which include assisting in ?nding solutions to the challenges of environmental sustainability; sharing knowledge about sustainability and climate change; and incorporating, wherever possible, principles of sustainability into their own operations.
Ontario universities, ranging in size from small and rural institutions to large and urban ones, began work on the creation of sustainable campuses many years ago, and continue to demonstrate leadership in advancing a greener world.
“Lakehead takes pride in the steps it has taken to improve upon current operations to protect the environment,” says Michael Pawlowski, Lakehead University’s Vice-President (Administration and Finance). “We, like many other universities around Ontario, are holding ourselves accountable to improve upon the methodologies and resources involved in operating from day to day, and we’re incorporating green measures and/or alternatives whenever possible.”
Pawlowski credits Lakehead’s Sustainability Committee, with representation from students, faculty, and staff, with the initiative and drive shown in providing and promoting environmentally friendly channels across Lakehead’s Thunder Bay campus. Lakehead’s Administration has recognized noticeable improvements in energy consumption to date, and looks forward to reporting additional positive impacts in future.
Foremost among Lakehead’s sustainability efforts are the building of its Orillia permanent campus to LEED Platinum standards, and the retrofitting of its HVAC systems in the Thunder Bay campus. These have resulted in annual natural gas consumption savings of 40% and electricity savings of 18%, figures which convert to approximately $1.2 million in savings annually. In 2008, Lakehead University received a certificate of recognition from Peter Love, Ontario’s Chief Energy Conservation Officer with the Ontario Power Authority (OPA).
Last Updated on Thursday, 26 November 2009 12:49
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