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Starting next week, Hamilton will compete regionally in the Campus Conservation Nationals (CCN) 2012, a competition in electricity and water use reduction among colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. The competition was created by the Students Program at the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council and in partnership with Lucid, Alliance to Save Energy, and the National Wildlife Federation.

Lauren Howe ’12 spent the fall semester conducting an independent study project in which she researched and recorded campus food purchasing at Hamilton.  She collaborated with Bon Appétit and Real Food Challenge (RFC), a student-led organization based in Boston advocating “real food” on more college campuses.

During Hamilton’s winter break closure from Dec. 17 through Jan. 2, the College saved enough kilowatt hours to power 20 average homes in the U.S. for an entire year, according to Steve Bellona, associate vice president for facilities & planning.  The savings are largely attributed to a reduction in (electrical) plug load (TVs, lights, computers) and building lighting.

Creating sustainable urban centers in Utica and Syracuse was the topic of a panel discussion hosted by the Levitt Center on Oct. 27.

A panel discussion, “Creating Sustainable Urban Communities in Syracuse and Utica,” will be hosted by the Levitt Center on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m., in the Taylor Science Center’s Kennedy Auditorium. The discussion is free and open to the public.

When Hamilton College started measuring its CO2 emissions in 2007, carbon equivalents measured 22,540 metric tons. By 2011, the College had reduced emissions to a total of 17,817 metric tons, surpassing its 2015 Climate Action Plan goal of 18,032 and achieving a 20 percent reduction four years ahead of schedule. In 2010 the College’s emissions totaled 18,323 metric tons.

Sustainable, organic farming offers a fresh, local alternative to supermarket foods. However, some people might find it difficult to shop locally, and low-income individuals may have trouble affording farm shares and local food. Lauren Howe ’13 is working to correct both problems as an intern for Grow Food Northampton in Northampton, Mass.

Hamilton has received a “Best Green Project-Renovation” award for the Sadove Student Center at Emerson Hall in First Niagara’s “A Time to Build” program.

Hamilton was recently recognized for its efforts to go green, receiving LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification from the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) for the energy-efficient and sustainably constructed Sadove Student Center. Sadove is the third building on campus to receive LEED certification and the second to be awarded LEED Gold.

Hamilton Environmental Action Group (HEAG) is inviting the Hamilton community to join together to celebrate the Earth and make a difference during Green Week, which kicks off on Monday, April 18, and will continue through next weekend. Green Week is HEAG’s biggest project of the semester, and will feature at least one new event every day.