Sustainability at Royal Roads University (RRU)

I’ve heard a number of lectures this past week pertaining to components of sustainability at the Royal Roads University (RRU) campus Colwood, BC where which I am currently a full time student. I have to say I am very impressed at the drive both teaching and janitorial staff exhibit to consistently improve sustainability at RRU. I am coming from a college located in southern Ontario, just to give you some background information on my history in attempting to achieve sustainability measures. This background information will be helpful in explaining why I think RRU is doing an excellent job. At my home college, constant attempts, by only students, were made to improve the sustainability of the school, to no avail however. I began as a very active enthusiast in a college environmental club where we started our new school year jaded by the hopes of making actual change. We brainstormed ideas such as implementing composting stations, integrating biodegradable service wear in the cafeteria, and building green roofs to cover the roof space of our campus. But compost was too expensive, and the cafeteria already had a contract with a food service company that was not willing to make the sacrifice of increased expenses, and who was going to pay for this green roof? We were shot down, left and right. When I left Ontario I had a very defeatist attitude, if no one was willing to spend the money, how were things ever going to change (niagaracollege.ca)?

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Then I arrived at RRU. Every light switch has a sticker kindly reminding us to turn off the lights. The cafeteria is stocked full of biodegradable service wear, as if any other kind exists? As well an entire department devoted to sustainability? Unheard of. Recently, I was even asked my opinion on sustainability at RRU, and where I felt we could improve. Me? You want my opinion? Amazing. This is what sustainability hope looks like. This is what a union of innovative ideas between staff and students looks like. I feel like I have entered into the future, and it feels good. Although RRU hasn’t reached complete sustainability yet, I feel like they are setting a great foundation, and have an excellent game plan. Initiates such as a reduction in GHG’s by 2020, and great attempts to be “off the grid” by 2018. RRU also recognizes that sustainability involves community, and has developed a real and beneficial relationship with the surrounding town of Colwood. Serious initiatives, such as Solar Colwood are in full force to create symbiotic relationships with energy generation. I was especially impressed by the desire of the janitorial staff to join in this sustainability revolution. They have completely eliminated chemical components in their cleaning processes, not only improving our health but the surrounding environment as well. They are also dedicated to zero waste, offering a great recycling and composting program to divert as much for the land fill as possible (www.sustainability.royalroads.ca).

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The only area I feel RRU is lacking is transportation, which is currently representing almost 50% of their greenhouse gas emissions. RRU charges an unbelievably low fee for an annual parking pass, offering little incentive for staff and students to look elsewhere for transportation options. Adding to this problem is the unreasonable charge for a monthly bus fee approximately $70, which almost made me choke on my gum. Other educational institutions include an annual bus pass, what was this all about? I feel this will be the next great change at RRU however. A brainstorming session was held to address this issue, and great ideas were presented such as increasing parking rates, subsidies for those that carpool, and incentives for bike riders, as a large population of our class does our part by cycling to school.

Again I must say how impressed I am. Coming from a school were sustainability was too much work and too expensive, it is refreshing to be told that work and money aside, sustainability is the goal. My kudos go out to RRU, I am proud to be a current student at such a fine educational institute that holds our future and the environment in the highest regards.