Reduce your Conferece Carbon Footprint

2009 ACR Environment and Public Policy Section Conference

Managing Climate Change through Collaborative Governance:

The Use and Practice of Environmental Conflict Resolution

in Addressing Policy Changes Globally and Locally

University of Denver

June 11 - 13, 2009

TIPS FOR REDUCING YOUR CONFERENCE CARBON FOOTPRINT

Before You Leave Your Home or Office

• Turn water heater to "Vacation" or lowest setting
• Turn off AC/heat or adjust the thermostat to protect plants, etc.
• Appliances, such as printers, computers, TVs, cable converter boxes, should be unplugged because they can draw or "leak" power even when they're off
• Stop your newspaper
  

Travel

• Use bus or train rather than flying

• Carpool, vanpool, or use public transportation as much as possible
• Bring a travel mug and reusable utensils to avoid using disposable products 
• Take your recyclables off the plane with you (beverage containers, newspapers, etc.) and drop them in a recycling bin

Hotel

• Manage the heating and cooling efficiently in your room
• Minimize unnecessary laundering.  You probably don’t wash your bedsheets and towels every night at home; why have the hotel do that?  Notify the front desk and/or hang the “do not disturb” sign when leaving

• Use stairs instead of the elevator (elevators don’t use much energy, but this keeps you aware of energy use AND gives you good exercise)
• Keep bar soap wrappers and take used bars of soap home
• Turn off exercise equipment, sauna, whirlpool, Jacuzzi or tennis court lights when you're through
• Check out of the hotel via the hotel's electronic program available on the TV in some hotels. You can view your bill and approve

Products

Many people are unaware of the carbon impacts of product use.  A significant amount of energy consumed in our society is used in the raw material extraction, manufacturing, transportation, selling, and disposal/recycling of products.

• Keep your recyclables and drop them at a recycling location 
• Choose bulk products over packaged products
• Choose reusable plates and silverware
• Print any materials for the conference or related materials like boarding passes on double-sided paper or re-use one-side-printed paper
• Bring food storage containers (such as Tupperware) to bring leftover food back to your hotel for a snack.  You can pack sundries in the container(s) while traveling
• Bring a water bottle and avoid bottled beverages
• Choose local foods

 Carbon Offsets 

• Research and purchase carbon offsets:

http://www.tufts.edu/tie/carbonoffsets/TCI-offset-handout.htm