CFJC Today file photo

By Dylana Kneeshaw

SUSTAINABILITY EDUCATION

TRU earns international recognition for sustainability initiatives

Sep 28, 2020 | 5:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University recently garnered international attention for its eco-friendly initiatives. TRU was ranked North America’s third ‘coolest school’ by the Sierra Club, and also made the Princeton Review’s 2021 Green Honour Roll.

Part of what earned the distinction is the university’s plan to convert the Kamloops campus from natural gas heating to electricity.

Zero Waste & Environmental Programs Coordinator James Gordon says phase one of construction is expected to begin in 2022.

“It will replace all the gas boilers with electric boilers through what’s called a district energy system,” Gordon told CFJC Today. “And the plan is to have three of those mini district energy systems throughout the whole campus.”

Two and Out

PETERS: Eby could learn something from Horgan, who bridged the ideological divide between urban and rural B.C.

16h ago

B100's Basics for Babies

B-100's Basics for Babies 2024

17h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Royal Inland Hospital's emergency room uses antimicrobial copper to fight infection

23h ago

To improve it’s sustainability practices, the university has also made a single-use item elimination task force, and in 2021 it will require undergrad students to take a citizenship course which promotes sustainable behavior and social responsibility.

Gordon says the reception from staff and students around the eco-friendly focus has been positive.

“I think it definitely resonates with the students. And we work with a lot of volunteers — we have a student sustainability ambassador program and there’s some real passion and hard work that goes into it,” he notes, “so I think it does make a difference.”