The Incredibly Shrinking Carbon Footprint: New College Looks for Ways to Become More Eco-Friendly

(April 1, 2010) – Eco-crusader Jono Miller doesn’t wear a cape, but that’s not stopping him from undertaking one of the most innovative and potentially far-reaching research projects in Southwest Florida to reduce greenhouse gas emissions contributing to global warming. The environmentalist and longtime New College of Florida staff member has turned his attention to the College’s 114-acre campus on Sarasota’s bayfront to recommend ways to reduce its harmful carbon dioxide emissions in everything from its electricity demands to landscaping practices and the use of student and staff vehicles.

Miller has been seen riding around campus on his hybrid, solar powered-assisted golf cart – which he describes as “sort of like ‘The Flintstones meets ‘The Jetsons’” – to gather data for the college’s Climate Action Plan.  Several New College students have been collaborating with Miller and school officials on the research project that began earlier this year.

Miller, who headed the college’s Environmental Studies Program for many years and is now on special assignment as an assistant to the Vice President for Finance & Administration John Martin, expects to have several recommendations by this summer to make the College more environmentally friendly.  His larger goal is that other institutions and businesses can benefit from New College’s research on ways to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and help reverse global warming.

New College’s self-study is part of a nationwide effort by more than 650 colleges and universities to look for ways to curb their carbon emissions, or carbon footprint.  Their pioneering research, which will vary in different areas of the country in part because of their regional climate, energy sources and technological innovations, are part of the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org) launched in 2007 and of which New College is a signatory.

For more information, please contact Jake Hartvigsen, public affairs director, New College of Florida, (941) 487-4150, or [email protected]

Photo above: Jono Miller, left, poses with former New College Foundation Vice President Sara Krusenstjerna and Eco-Trans Alliance founder and owner Ken Chester in front of one of the new solar-electric powered vehicles being considered by New College as part of an intra-campus shuttle.