2008 Woodie Awards
Meteorology dept. creates new green guidelines
Quang Do
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
San Jose State University's meteorology department has a curriculum that focuses on the sky and atmosphere but the department is also aware of the carbon footprints that humans leave behind, said Eugene Cordero about the effects of waste and the planet's future.
Cordero, assistant professor of meteorology, said that the department is doing something about the carbon footprints, which is the amount of waste that humans produce in a lifetime that comes from carbon emissions of vehicle transportation, the amount of electricity used and disposable trash - such as plastic utilities and also organic waste that could dissolve back into the earth if the disposal is done properly.
"Everything that comes from the planet should be able to go back into it," Cordero said about the waste generated.
The meteorology department is trying new techniques that would help the planet's future to a more sustainable place to live, Cordero said.
"People need to remember to turn off the lights when they leave a room," said Jindra Goodman, a meteorology professor who said the waste reduction task is that easy.
Recycling paper, cans and bottles is one of the larger areas of waste reduction that is practiced, Cordero said, but the meteorology department will try something new with organic waste this semester.
The meteorology department plans to have multiple trays of earthworms in an experiment to process the decomposition of organic waste such as banana peels, on one of the upper levels of Duncan Hall, Cordero said.
"We plan on making our own fertilizer," Cordero said about the patches of grass that surround the Duncan Hall building, which could also be used to harvest food if the fertilizer were used for that purpose.
"When (the meteorology department) have conferences we use these biodegradable utensils made from corn and potato," Cordero said about alternatives to using plastic forks and spoons.
The biodegradable utilities that Cordero has will turn into a liquid-like substance over time and back into the earth after it gets disposed.
Cordero also mentioned the biodegradable cup and takeout box that he had, which was made from the waste material of sugar canes.
"Styrofoam and plastic (material) remain in the landfills for hundreds of years ... the waste is not organic," Cordero said about the decaying process of organic materials.
Cordero is the coordinator of the meteorology department's Green Department Guidelines, which is an outline available on the department's Web site that suggests ideas on how to setup a recycling center in the buildings around campus and offers ideas on how to reduce waste.
"I didn't know that," said Crystal Han about the guidelines, a sophomore majoring in animation and taking a class in meteorology.
Cordero said that the meteorology department hopes to become the first academic department that is certified by the Green Business Program of Santa Clara County.
Cordero, assistant professor of meteorology, said that the department is doing something about the carbon footprints, which is the amount of waste that humans produce in a lifetime that comes from carbon emissions of vehicle transportation, the amount of electricity used and disposable trash - such as plastic utilities and also organic waste that could dissolve back into the earth if the disposal is done properly.
"Everything that comes from the planet should be able to go back into it," Cordero said about the waste generated.
The meteorology department is trying new techniques that would help the planet's future to a more sustainable place to live, Cordero said.
"People need to remember to turn off the lights when they leave a room," said Jindra Goodman, a meteorology professor who said the waste reduction task is that easy.
Recycling paper, cans and bottles is one of the larger areas of waste reduction that is practiced, Cordero said, but the meteorology department will try something new with organic waste this semester.
The meteorology department plans to have multiple trays of earthworms in an experiment to process the decomposition of organic waste such as banana peels, on one of the upper levels of Duncan Hall, Cordero said.
"We plan on making our own fertilizer," Cordero said about the patches of grass that surround the Duncan Hall building, which could also be used to harvest food if the fertilizer were used for that purpose.
"When (the meteorology department) have conferences we use these biodegradable utensils made from corn and potato," Cordero said about alternatives to using plastic forks and spoons.
The biodegradable utilities that Cordero has will turn into a liquid-like substance over time and back into the earth after it gets disposed.
Cordero also mentioned the biodegradable cup and takeout box that he had, which was made from the waste material of sugar canes.
"Styrofoam and plastic (material) remain in the landfills for hundreds of years ... the waste is not organic," Cordero said about the decaying process of organic materials.
Cordero is the coordinator of the meteorology department's Green Department Guidelines, which is an outline available on the department's Web site that suggests ideas on how to setup a recycling center in the buildings around campus and offers ideas on how to reduce waste.
"I didn't know that," said Crystal Han about the guidelines, a sophomore majoring in animation and taking a class in meteorology.
Cordero said that the meteorology department hopes to become the first academic department that is certified by the Green Business Program of Santa Clara County.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
Jake
posted 3/06/07 @ 6:20 PM PST
As a meteorologist, it is disappointing to hear that a fellow meteorologist - to say nothing of an entire university department - is taking such a one-sided view regarding climate change. (Continued…)
HIMHUT
Doug Sinton
posted 3/12/07 @ 7:51 AM PST
Jake,
Your post demonstrates that you already possess one of the essential qualities required for effective scientific research: intellectual
skepticism. (Continued…)
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