2019 was one tumultuous year. It was the year that COVID-19 hit. The year Boston experienced record heat. It was the year the Amazon rainforest burned.
Despite these hurdles, UMass Amherst rose to the occasion. Through persistent efforts of the MA Public Interest Group (MASSPIRG) Students, the Student Government Association (SGA), and other activist organizations, the administration formed the Carbon Mitigation Taskforce. This was the start of something truly revolutionary.
The Carbon Mitigation Taskforce’s main goal was to formulate a comprehensive, in-depth feasibility study to transition UMass Amhert to 100% renewable energy for heating, cooling and electricity systems by 2032. Achieving this will be groundbreaking for not only UMass Amherst but also for the Massachusetts as the university emits 14% of the carbon emissions statewide.
The Carbon Mitigation Taskforce created the CMP Master Planning group, which is the working group currently. The CMP Master Planning group is composed of four committees: facilities/implementation, business development, marketing, and the living lab. There has also been consulting teams partnering with UMass Amherst which includes: MEP Associates, Brailsford & Dunlavey, GreenerU, and Competitive Energy Services. Additionally, there are faculty, staff and students that are part of the group, all working to transition our campus into using 100% renewable energy.
The CMP Master Planning group has made significant strides in this endeavor. For example, they will work on areas of implementation of carbon neutrality projects. Such projects include conversion to Low Temperature Hot Water (LTHW), energy transmission and more sustainable design. Additionally, there has been progress in hiring RMF engineering groups.
Coalition building has occurred with higher education institutions like Williams College, which just hired the UMass Amherst CMP Master Planning group to build a comprehensive carbon mitigation plan. There has been contact with the business development department doing high level research funding and opportunities of investment in the state and federal level. The CMP Master planning group’s living lab is on the road to potentially receiving a $300,000 grant for expansion of the Clean Energy Core.
The living lab has also been instrumental in launching the carbon literacy training program, the first U.S. higher education institution to do so. They have also created a campus data request form as a means to create a living laboratory for research and discussion on improving sustainability measures on campus. Types of data that can be requested include anything from alternative transportation and energy metering to food systems and renewable energy.
Although there certainly has been significant progress, more action is a must. To reach carbon neutrality by 2032, we must start the transition now in 2021 through both tangible construction as well as meaningful public dialogue. While we have an internal, informal commitment to transition UMass Amherst to reach 100% renewable energy by 2032, we have neither made a formal, public announcement nor started building renewable energy sourced infrastructure. A formal statement would pave the way for other institutions to follow our example as well as hold the UMass Amherst administration accountable for its promises.
Indeed, finances are crucial to consider. Fortunately, the feasibility study has shown that the break-even point of financial cash flow will happen around 2045 and the savings will continue in the future but only if we invest first in this important cause. Through this investment, UMass Amherst has the potential to leave a legacy of caring about sustainability over bureaucratic interests. In turn, we will be leaders of the commonwealth and higher education.
While there are certainly roadblocks, the CMP Master Planning group has others aiding them in the same efforts. ESAM has been working tirelessly to negotiate with the administration regarding climate justice initiatives with a goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2032, as well as creating decent union jobs for affected workers. Main principles of ESAM include: educating the union community, outreaching to students for greater action, building coalitions with the campus/community groups, and participating in climate action bargaining. Needless to say, ESAM has advanced the issue of reaching carbon neutrality while bearing in mind the just, equitable transition needed for labor workers and community residents.
It goes without saying that the clock will not stop ticking. We are in a climate crisis right now and taking no actionable steps will only hold us back. Much work has been done by groups like ESAM, SGA, CMP Master Planning group, and MASSPIRG Students.
However, we will be stronger and more efficient if we get the full support of the administration, especially in regards to making a public statement about reaching carbon neutrality by 2032. Through a consolidated effort, we will create a more sustainable, livable future. Together, we can mark a revolutionary legacy.
Caroline Sunuwar is a sophomore at UMass and a political science major, environmental science minor. She is a member of the MASSPIRG Students Chapter at UMass.