CSUF summit addresses climate change goals, clean-energy strategies - OCRegister

CSUF summit addresses climate change goals, clean-energy strategies - Orange County Register

With a climate action plan that includes emissions forecasting, greenhouse gas inventory and deforestation strategies, Cal State Fullerton is among the forerunners in pursuing clean energy initiatives, with an end goal of long-term sustainability.

For the second consecutive year, CSUF hosted its Energy and Sustainability Summit, which featured three panel discussions involving elected officials, industry professionals and academics in higher education.

Panelists for the Oct. 27 summit discussed current methods of collaboration plus strategies for continuing the transition to clean energy.
One of the student groups that presented eco-friendly projects during the Energy and Sustainability Summit at Cal State Fullerton. (Courtesy of CSUF News Media Services)
Carlos Pena, left, explains the Titan IV Road Harvest Project on Oct. 27 at the Energy and Sustainability Summit at Cal State Fullerton. (Courtesy of CSUF News Media Services)
From left, Paul Da Veiga, Elissa Thomas, Tamara Wallace and Aja Clarke host a panel discussion during the Energy and Sustainability Summit at Cal State Fullerton. (Courtesy of CSUF News Media Services)

Among the panelists were Elissa Thomas, transportation demand manager at CSUF and Tamara Wallace (’08, ’13), senior manager of energy, sustainability and transportation in the Department of Capital Planning, Design and Construction, Cal State University Office of the Chancellor.

Sen. Josh Newman, of the 29th Senate District of California, was the keynote speaker for the event, which was co-sponsored by Southern California Edison and Wells Fargo.

Greg Saks, vice president for university advancement at CSUF, delivered opening remarks.

“I truly believe that the fact that this summit is happening again is a testament to our region’s collective commitment to advancing a collaborative effort to meet the state’s climate goals and really be that catalyst for change,” Saks said. “And it being at Cal State Fullerton seems so appropriate.”

Saks cited a series of New York Times articles on energy transition from coal to renewables that stated 23% of electricity will come from renewable sources within months.

California remains committed to reducing carbon emissions by 40% by 2030, Saks said.

“Cal State Fullerton is the largest campus of the Cal State system,” he said. “We have over 41,000 students, and we really are thrilled and excited about the amazing and important role we take in preparing students for this new industry and these new climate goals.”

Thomas talked about what Cal State Fullerton is doing to help the state achieve its climate goals.

For example, CSUF was the first campus in the CSU system to craft an electric vehicle master plan, she said.

Thomas said such a master plan is necessary because transportation makes up the largest part of the carbon footprint.

CSUF currently has 48 electric vehicle charging ports on campus and has secured funding for another 52 ports through a partnership with Southern California Edison, Thomas said.

“So, we’re going to effectively more than double our EV-charging infrastructure, thanks to that partnership with SCE, and better prepare our campus for the future,” she said.

Newman, who serves on multiple committees related to climate change strategies and is chair of the Select Committee on Transitioning to a Zero Emission Energy Future, said the potential impacts of a warming planet could cost the state dearly on multiple levels.

“Today, my participation on these committees has given me what I would describe as a ringside seat on many of the challenges facing California as we work very hard to decarbonize our economy and our society,” Newman said. “These climate events challenge our infrastructure and damage lives and communities. Here in Orange County, we’re already seeing the effects of a changing climate, from atmospheric rivers to unprecedented heat waves to severe wildfires. Climate change will eventually affect every community around the world.”

However, Californians can be proud of the state’s demonstrated commitment to decarbonizing the most polluting sectors of the economy, the senator said.

“Climate change will eventually affect every community around the world,” Newman said.

Wallace discussed what is being done within the entire CSU system to help reverse the negative impacts of current climate events.

The CSU encompasses 23 campuses with 500,000 students and 50,000 employees, spread across the entire state of California.

The student populations range from around 1,000 students to 42,000 on campuses in suburban, urban and rural settings.

“So, the range is very dramatic,” Wallace said. “We also are the most diverse institution in the United States. We’re the largest four-year public higher education institution in the United States.”

First and foremost, CSUF is a community-serving institution, Wallace said.

“Many of our students actually come from the community, attend their local campus, and then graduate and oftentimes live, work, and raise their families in that same community,” she said. “So, in that sense, we are hyper-connected.”

The CSU sustainability policy aligns with the state’s initiatives now, but the next goal of 40% carbon emission reduction by 2030 is only six years away.

So, the time to start planning and implementing change is now, she said.

The implementation could come from the CSU students themselves, who are already having an impact while they’re in school.

“So, impacting their educational opportunities and research opportunities, that’s where we can really make this shift, and I think that’s where the transition really comes into play,” Wallace said.

Several projects developed by students that were designed to advance clean energy into the future were displayed during the summit.

Other panelists included Stella Ursua, senior programs and partnership manager at Grid Alternatives and attorney Kristen Gomez, senior group manager, regulatory compliance and eco-mobility at Hyundai, and Paul Da Veiga, director of planning design and construction at UCI Health.