Episode 40: Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal with Alex Barron and Aaron Strong

Alexander Barron (left) and Aaron Strong (right)

Guests:
Alexander Barron, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Environmental Science & Policy
Smith College
LinkedIn | Bio

Aaron Strong, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies
Hamilton College
LinkedIn | Bio

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Energy and Sustainability at Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this episode we interview two professors and researchers discussing a recently published paper in the peer-reviewed journal One Earth entitled: “Carbon neutrality should not be the end goal: Lessons for institutional climate action from U.S. Higher education.” You’ll hear lead author Alex Barron of Smith College and co-author Aaron Strong from Hamilton College discuss their study of U.S. schools that have announced that they have achieved carbon neutrality. This work was co-authored with Maya Domeshek and Lucy Metz (recent Smith College graduates who worked on the paper) and Laura Drauker (formerly of Amherst College, now at the Boston-based non-profit Ceres), and reflects feedback and input from many other sustainability practitioners.

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Episode 38: The Political Economy of Higher Ed with Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou

Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou

Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou

Guest:
Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou
Energy Systems Strategist -
SMITHGROUP

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this episode, we talk with with Dr. Katrina Kelly-Pitou, Energy Systems Strategist at SmithGroup. The discussion focuses on what higher education can expect from federal, state and local governments in the near term, but also a broader discussion about the politics and business model of higher ed. itself.  She both challenges conventional ideas and paints a compelling vision for a sustainable future for higher education and the communities in which they operate.

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The following is an automated transcription of this episode which will include errors and omissions. You can listen and follow along with the text here: Otter Transcript 

You can find a text-only version of the transcript here: Episode 38 Transcript

Episode 37: Designing for the 90% with Kenny Seeton (CSU Dominguez Hills)

Kenny Seeton, Central Plant Manager/Energy Manager at California State University, Dominguez Hills

Kenny Seeton, Central Plant Manager/Energy Manager at California State University, Dominguez Hills

Guest:
Kenny Seeton

Central Plant Manager/Energy Manager at California State University, Dominguez Hills

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this episode, we talk with Kenny Seeton, central plant and energy manager at California State University Dominguez Hills. The wide-ranging conversation spans everything from LED retrofits to solar powered golf carts. Kenny talks about how to safely take risks and how to connect systems seeking continuous improvement. He offers up sound advice for energy managers on metering, sensors, occupancy controls, valves, dampers, trend analysis and even phase change materials. This engaging episode is perfect for anyone looking for creative energy solutions for their campus, whether this is your first introduction to energy management or, like Dave and Kenny, you geek out over topics energy efficiency, storage, and more.

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Episode 36: Podcasting for Sustainability - AASHE 2020

From left to right: Brian Campbell, Director of Sustainability and Partnerships, Central College, Katie Boyle, Enrollment and Marketing Director, Bard Graduate Program, and Dave Karlsgodt, Director, Brailsford & Dunlavey

From left to right: Brian Campbell, Director of Sustainability and Partnerships, Central College, Katie Boyle, Enrollment and Marketing Director, Bard Graduate Program, and Dave Karlsgodt, Director, Brailsford & Dunlavey

Guest Co-hosts:
Katie Boyle

Enrollment and Marketing Director, Bard Graduate Program in Sustainability and host of the “Impact Report” podcast

Brian Campbell
Director of Sustainability and Partnerships, Central College and host of the “MidAmericana” podcast

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Director of Management Advisory Services, Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc.

In this special episode of the podcast, we present a recording of Podcasting for Sustainability in Higher Education from AASHE’s 2020 Global Conference on Sustainability in Higher Education. Dave Karlsgodt, Katie Boyle and Brian Campbell talk about what it’s like to run a podcast and how they utilize their shows to further the conversation on energy and sustainability. All three delve into the missions behind their podcasts, as well as how and why they pick topics to cover. In this episode that explores podcasting as a tool for sustainability in higher education, our hosts aim to aid participants and listeners in learning how to frame their sustainability efforts in stories, making them compelling to a variety of audiences, from students to senior leaders, academics to alumni.

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Episode 25: Losing Steam - Carleton College’s Energy Transition

Martha Larson, Manager of Campus Energy and Sustainability at Carleton College

Martha Larson, Manager of Campus Energy and Sustainability at Carleton College

Guests:

Martha Larson
Campus Energy and Sustainability Manager, Carleton College

Host: Dave Karlsgodt
Principal, Fovea, LLC

Carleton College has been getting into hot water — but in the best way possible. 

Listen to this episode to hear Martha Larson, Carleton’s manager of campus energy and sustainability, discuss the college’s process for replacing its 20th century steam system with a geothermal-based district energy system. The new system will allow the campus to use heat pumps and the earth’s consistent 50 degree Fahrenheit temperature to help regulate heating and cooling on campus more efficiently. Larson dives into the physics that make the system work, the planning and approval process for the project, and how the new system will help Carleton meet its future sustainability goals in a discussion with host Dave Karlsgodt.

Resources:

  • Carleton College’s Utility Master Plan: go.carleton.edu/geothermal

    • Go here for more charts and graphs, photos, FAQs, project updates and more

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Episode Transcript:

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Episode 25: Losing Steam: Carleton College's Energy Transition - Transcript