Project Abstract

Sustainability is one of the most important issues facing our society today. We consume resources faster than they are produced or renewed and these resources are then depleted and will eventually be used up. There is a growing crisis due to the over use and depletion of non renewable resources such as minerals, ores and petroleum but the excess demand and use of renewable resources and the ecological services they provide is also a pressing problem. This over use of renewable resources is causing major environmental problems such as carbon induced climate change, species extinction, deforestation and the loss of biodiversity and ground water in much of the world. We depend on these ecological assets to survive. Their depletion systematically undermines the well being of people. Livelihoods disappear, resource conflicts emerge, land becomes barren, and resources become increasingly costly or unavailable. This depletion is exacerbated by the growth in human population as well as by changing lifestyles that are placing more demand on natural resources. There are just over six billion people currently living on planet earth. The U.N estimates project that we will be approaching ten billion people on earth in approximately 50 years.

       In analyzing our research we will attempt to generate and evaluate new ideas to enhance Bryant’s image through green initiatives and reduce its impact on the environment. We will also calculate the cost savings to Bryant by implementing some of our ideas and initiatives. We will research what role students can play to move the Green initiative forward. This research is extremely important to Bryant University because it is an institution that while providing its academic environment also provides an environment in which students consumes resources and produce waste and both consumption and waste come with economic costs. It costs Bryant millions of dollars each year to provide food, housing, power its facilities and maintain the campus. By evaluating the ecological footprint, we will see where Bryant can improve upon its consumption and waste policies and save money. It is also important to be concerned with environmental standards and join with the growing number of institutions that are evaluating their environmental performance. This will help Bryant University to reduce environmental impact resulting from its activities, but also it will allow Bryant a competitive advantage or differentiating factor compared to other schools. The final reason Bryant should focus on being environmentally conscious is because it is an institution that educates future influential business leaders who will possess an enormous capability to make decisions that will impact the global environment.