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SAGE and the School of the Environment are taking the Campus Climate Challenge. The Campus Climate Challenge (CCC) is a campaign sponsored by energyaction.net, and seeks to involve 500 schools in the USA and Canada. Currently, over 100 schools have accepted the Challenge. The CCC is a long-term campaign to eliminate the pollution that causes global warming. Schools, from small high schools to large public colleges, make a significant impact on the environment because of the resources they consume. Lights, computers, cafeterias, heating/air units and other typical components of a school take generous amounts of energy and water to operate, and people pay those costs with dollars first and later, their own health. Last year, USC contracted Johnson Controls, a management solutions company, to survey our campus and identify potential energy savings. The contract was a business decision, yet its consequences extend beyond the bottom line. Johnson Controls has already performed lighting and plumbing retrofits in residence halls - they changed out bulbs, ballasts, toilets and showerheads and replaced them with equipment that uses less watts or gallons of water. Click here to read more about the Johnson Controls Performance Contract. SAGE is building on the work of Johnson Controls as we develop an awareness campaign to show how USC is saving money while we reduce carbon emissions and wasted water. SAGE is also working our University Environmental Advisory Committee to plan the next steps in reducing USC's impact. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 March 2008 )
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USC consumes an enormous amount of energy each day. Expansion into the Innovista will create demand both to use and produce more energy on-site. We hope to see USC support experimental energy sources and further the development of renewable sources as a way to permanently adress human needs. The potential for improvements in energy research opportunities, cleaner public transportation, and safe power production is wide open and exciting. SAGE is currently exploring the idea of instating a Green Fee at USC. This fee would be between $5-$20, and would go towards ensuring that a significant part of USC's energy is produced by renewable resources. Luckily, SC Energy and Gas is introducing a green power program that will make purchasing renewable energy much easier. |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 04 March 2008 )
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 The United States Green Building Council developed its Leader in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program to push for more sustainable construction of buildings, arenas, homes, and more. LEED emphasizes all three pillars of sustainability: environmental health, thriving local economy, and societal well-being. First, certified buildings use less energy for lighting, heating, and cooling. Improved technology cuts water use, and proper planning and building practices make the construction process as non-destructive as possible. With all of the growth planned for USC in the next decade, we hope to increase awareness of the need for responsible expansion and create the Innovista as a model of modern design. |
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 04 October 2007 )
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 Bicycles are a key way to get around USC's campus. Bikes don't burn gas, they're good exercise and they will get you to class fast. Colleges like Furman University and the University of Colorado - Boulder provide a fleet of bicycles for students to use all day and night. A student can pick up a bike, ride it somewhere on campus and leave it there for the next person to use. SAGE is working to bring a fleet to USC.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 25 August 2008 )
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SAGE and Sodexo have been working together to replace the styrofoam clamshell take-out boxes with a biodegradable alternative. We are also working to reinstate a campus-wide composting program. Any questions? Contact us at
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 02 September 2008 )
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