Sustaining the Planet

Dr. Jon Larson Published in the Ocean County Observer on 03/29/06
Published in the Asbury Park Press on 04/05/06

BY JON H. LARSON

A recent study by a Rutgers University team of geological scientists revealed that the rate of sea level rise has doubled over the last 150 years. Scientist Bob Correll, one of the leading experts on climate change believes that the record high temperature of our oceans is responsible for intense storms like Hurricane Katrina, storms that will increase in number and only get more severe. "The science is unassailable," says Correll. "The entire planet is out of balance."

Many feel this is a sign that our fossil-fuel consumption has contributed to global warming, while others dismiss the notion and claim our warming planet is simply part of Mother Nature's master plan. Actually, both theories might be correct. Global warming might well be a long-cycle natural phenomenon that has been exacerbated by an enormous increase in "greenhouse" gas emissions over the past century.

The world's supply of traditional natural resources is being depleted at an alarming rate. This poses a starkly clear choice: Either we all must make an effort to sustain them in order to protect the quality of life on our planet, or replace them with renewable resources. At least for the foreseeable future, the only practical solution is a massive global investment in sustaining Earth's "livability index." We have reached that precise time in our history when every global citizen must understand and practice the principles of sustainability science, or we will bequeath a ruined garden to our grandchildren.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as "the ability to achieve continuing economic prosperity while protecting the natural systems of the planet and providing a high quality of life for its people." At Ocean County College, we have accepted responsibility for our part in this effort. We must lead by example, as a symbol of best practice and an information resource for our community. We seek to do this on a daily basis by employing three essential practices: we observe "smart-growth" practices; we work hard to manage our use of natural resources effectively; and we promote the advancement of environmentally related scholarship, working to educate our constituencies about viable sustainability practices.

As our campuses and student population continue to grow, we feel morally obligated to practice "smart growth," achieving a balance between development and environmental protection, and accommodating growth without sacrificing open space, critical habitat, clean water, or clean air. The Smart Growth Network has identified guiding principles that have aided OCC. We are pledged always to consider mixed land uses, compact building designs, a walkable campus, preservation of open-space design, protection of our natural habitat, reduction of carbon emissions, cost-effective energy-efficient development, and community and stakeholder collaboration.

As our campuses expand, we make every effort to consider carefully the progressive implementation of alternate and renewable energy sources. We also take very seriously our commitment to efficient management of our energy consumption. One important step taken in support these sustainability concepts is our use of a 250-kilowatt fuel cell on our Toms River campus. It reduces air contaminants, is more efficient than fossil fuel power sources, and results in about $60,000 of yearly cost savings. When we plan to build a new building, or renovate an old one, we consistently investigate energy saving ideas like the use of photovoltaics in our Fine Arts Center to generate electric power from solar energy. Solar panels produce no emissions and now the use of photovoltaics to power commercial buildings and homes has become more economically feasible through generous grant programs available to homeowners and businesses.

As a socially responsible community institution, we feel it is our duty to provide and participate in programs that aim to increase knowledge and awareness of sustainability science. OCC is one of 41 academic institutions in the New Jersey Higher Education Partnership for Sustainability. We recently hosted the inaugural meeting of the Rutgers-based Hydrogen Learning Center, a group of scholars whose aim is to encourage schools in New Jersey to consider hydrogen as an alternative energy source. OCC will continue offering our facility for intelligent discussion and dialogue about sustainability as well as continuing to host public presentations, short courses, and programs for college-level credit on environmental issues.

Sustainability is of particular importance in New Jersey. Our state has many beautiful and distinctive environments to protect ocean beaches, bays, rivers, aquifers, pinelands, wetlands, and native flora and fauna. I am very proud that OCC is a practitioner of good environmental sustainability practice. But, it is only collectively and globally that we can make a meaningful difference as stewards of the environment of this beautiful planet we inhabit.

Jon H. Larson is president of Ocean County College in Toms River, New Jersey.

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