Greening Our Aquarium PDF
Preview Greening Our Aquarium
Greening Our Aquarium Barbara Long John Rouse Spring 2008 Aquarium Today • Located in Long Beach, CA • 501c3 operating city-owned facility • 1.5 million 2008 attendance and growing – 260,000 school children each year – Six consecutive years of attendance increase – www.AquariumofPacific.org • Economic impact report annual benefits well over $170 million for region • Opened in June, 1998 Benefits of Green Practices Environmental Benefits • Reduce the impacts of natural resource consumption Economic Benefits • Reduce operating costs • Optimize life-cycle economic performance • Improve occupant performance • Improve the bottom line Employee and Guests Benefits • Enhance occupant comfort and health • Participation – aligned with vision/mission Community Benefits • Education and outreach – “Talk the Walk” • Demonstration project • Minimize strain on local infrastructures and improve quality of life Green Team Staff-led group with representatives from all departments Mission: To set a standard of environmental stewardship among staff and community by providing them with the means and motivation to practice earth-friendly habits – Street & beach clean-ups – 340 volunteers – Earth Day • Partnerships with NGOs • E-waste • Low-flow showerheads give-away – LBWD • CFL give-away – SCE • Eco-waste for guests and staff – Endangered Species Habitat Restoration – Operating practices ideas – Green tours for VIPs and other museums – Rideshare program – Quarterly award to “green champion” staff person Community Impact • Community forum with mayor, elected officials, city leaders, and community groups to discuss opportunity for greening City of Long Beach—part of ASTC national program • Represented on City’s Green Ribbon Committee to develop green building policy for private sector projects • Represented on City’s Energy Efficiency Task Force • Public forums, lectures and teacher education programs (CEU credit) on energy, water, global climate change, and sustainability • Aquatic Academy multi-week evening course – CA & Global Climate Chg – CA & Sustainability Initial Baseline Usage Studies • Environmental analysis – Keen Engineering (2003) – Identified “base line” resource usage – Analyzed existing water, natural gas, and electricity energy consumption • Based on results of study, the Aquarium developed the following sustainability goals: – Goal 1 – Minimize use resources—Zero increase in energy and water consumption – Goal 2 – LEED Gold certified standard for new additions • Implementation steps: Energy first – Retro-commissioning study— GRG Consulting Engineers (2004) – Energy provider & usage analysis— IRG/NexTep (2006/2007) – LEED AP professionals— design & construction teams Energy Initiatives • 1% solutions – Insulating Life Support Systems (LSS) – Old pumps changed to high efficiency pool pumps • Cogeneration – Efficient energy production – Use natural gas plus steam/waste heat to create electricity • Balancing energy sources – SCE pricing study & PUC approved price decrease – Increase natural gas costs & excess demand charges – Result—primary reliance on grid with co-gen during peak demand • Results – Nov 2007 the Aquarium assumed ownership and operation – No net increase of kwh usage since 2002 Energy to Carbon Footprint California Climate Action Registry • Registry created by the California legislature to help organizations track, publicly report, and reduce their greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). • Results are verified by independent third-parties to ensure compliance with Registry protocols • Aquarium certified its CO2 inventory – first museum in the US to earn the status of a Climate Action LeaderTM • Aquarium summer intern managed process • In 2006, Aquarium produced approx. 5,500 metric tons of CO equivalent 2 • Each year will register more GHG’s Energy focus transitioning to Carbon • Carbon footprint information in Passport • Registered with national The Climate Registry Water Initiatives • Fresh Water – Largest water use for single Long Beach building – Goal: zero increase in usage – Waterless urinals & dual-flush toilets— Savings 960,000 gallons annually – Native landscaping – Fresh water used for back washes—RO efficiency study Savings 2 million gallons annually • Salt Water – Salt water delivered in diesel trucks— high cost and emissions – On-site well drilled (2005) not successful – Future plans to pipe in from adjacent harbor – Funding for study secured • Education and Outreach – Public forums - experts, activists, educators Operating Initiatives Operating practices • Recycling program • GREEN SEAL compliant sanitary paper supplies • Natural gas and electric powered vehicles • E-payroll • Purchasing policy in progress • FSC paper • $100,000 annual budget for “greening” capital projects • Uniform shirts made of organic cotton • Insurance with LEED Silver replacement policy Eco-friendly materials • Plastic “lumber” and sustainable materials for cabinetry • Bamboo flooring • “Cradle to cradle” carpeting & window shades • Picnic tables from plastic bottle caps • Retail store selling “green” products
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