Running Header:

CARBON NEXUS

Ricardo Bugarin
Irving Vargas
Joseph Perez
Ricardo Moreno
Muhammed Al Muhammed

Research, methods, and techniques for measuring and lowering the total carbon footprint of CSU
Chicos WREC daily activities.
Carbon Nexus recognizes that daily human activity is contributing massive amounts of carbon
dioxide into our atmosphere. (Region, 2016) The greenhouse gas warms the Earth at alarming
rates. Before the Industrial Revolution, CO2 levels were about 270 parts per million. CO2 levels
were at about 313 ppm in 1960. CO2 levels reached 400 ppm earlier this year. Many climate
scientists say levels need to be reduced to 350 ppm to avoid the effects of climate change. Dr,
James Hansen, former head of the Goddard Institute for Space Studies, solidifies that our planet
is not compatible with human civilization and its time humans take notice. The planets carbon
output in the beginning of human civilization was 275 ppm and through the years humans have
started emitting more and more carbon through burning coal, gas, and oil to make our goods and
energy. People are adding 2 ppm of carbon into the atmosphere every year. Carbon Nexus aims
into making people aware of this reality. Our local WREC is our main focus and Carbon Nexus
aims to discover how much carbon goes into sustaining the WREC and propose ways to make it
more efficient.

Carbon Nexus is interested in reducing the carbon emissions produced by the WREC. The more
carbon dioxide placed into the atmosphere, the greater the likelihood of an overall increase in
global temperature. In 1850, the United Kingdom was the highest producer of CO2, with the
United States as the second largest producer. France, Germany, and Belgium all followed closely
(Friedrich & Damassa, 2014). However, in 2011, China ranked as the new largest producer of
CO2 in the world followed by United States. The list continues with India, Russia, and Japan.
Friedrich and Damassa from worldresources.org reports, tellingly, while the United States was

the worlds second-largest emitter in both years, its emissions in 2011 were 266 times greater
than those in 1850. Looking back to both lists, United States is the only country that is still in
the list from 1850 which tells the general public that something is wrong. When fossil fuels are
burned, carbon dioxide is released. Carbon dioxide joins with nitrous oxide and methane to form
a thermal layer over the Earths surface. These greenhouse gases absorb the suns heat and keep
the Earth warm (Leon, 2016). The greenhouse gases prevent some of the suns energy from ever
leaving the atmosphere, further warming the Earth. These effect can lead to serious
environmental problems such as rising of water levels, stronger storms, disease separations, and
droughts. Based on this information, a big change to lifestyle of the Americans in order to avoid
big problems. The other nations did it, Carbon Nexus must get the U.S off that largest-offenders
list.

Carbon Nexus is currently en route to deduce how much carbon dioxide was released into the
atmosphere during the construction of CSU Chicos Wildcat Recreation Center. To do so,
Displaying data that shows all carbon dioxide that was produced during the construction of
Chicos WREC will aid in showing audience members that a large sustainable project is possible.
Most buildings equivalent to the size of the WREC produce over 3,000 metric tons of carbon
dioxide during the building process (Nix, 2007). The WREC provided a sustainable ground for
construction and reused/recycled 97% of the sites previous building's material (Brochure, 2009).
Knowing how many iron dumbbells, ellipticals, spin machines, along with the entire collective
inventory of the WREC enables Carbon Nexus to determine how much CO2 is sequestered in its
appliances as well.

The site of what is now the Wildcat Recreation Center (WREC) formerly housed old warehouses
which was occupied by industrial activities (cite from brochure ,3). The WREC was built with
sustainability in mind. The United States Green Building Councils rating system sect, LEED
(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), granted the building with a silver-rating
certification in 2009, and granted it a gold-rating certification later that same year (Willis, 2010)
When the demolition of the old warehouses occurred, 97% of the building material was
recycled or reused. Some of the wood was re-milled and used to build the WREC front desk and
benches throughout the building. Scrap steel went to a local metal recycler. Much of the asphalt
and concrete was ground and recycled on site or used as road base nearby. Scrap drywall was
ground into gypsum, and used as a soil amendment at the University Farm. Scrap wood was sent
to the co-generation plant in nearby Oroville, California to be used as biofuel and converted to
electricity (Brochure, 2009). CSU, Chico students approved a fee supporting the WREC in a
special election in 2005, and the facility opened in August 2009. The building sites emphasis on
sustainable environments is emphasized by its 345 square feet of shrub land found around the
perimeter of the building. Some of the WREC actions that make it sustainable are: The shrubbery
releases oxygen and in turn, absorbs its environments carbon dioxide. Iron rails of bike racks
add to the sustainable concept -144 spots for bikes are allotted near the buildings front entrance,
The WREC does not sell bottled water, to reduce landfill waste, demand for plastic, and in
consideration of users health, The glass used throughout the building allows maximum light
transmission while minimizing heat loss/gain, all cleaning products used in the Wildcat
Recreation Center are Green Seal Certified, all paints and adhesives in the building are low

volatile organic compound (VOC) and meets MERV 13 standard, 40% more efficient shower
heads and waterless urinals, outside air is pre-conditioned before regular heating and cooling,
Outside air is pre-conditioned before regular heating and cooling,

Carbon Nexus aims at making the WREC a more economically sound, and socially equitable
place for every visitor of the establishment. To strike the heartstrings of the audience at Sense of
Place, a video will be presented that shows the globally detrimental effects of carbon when
driving to the WREC, as opposed to biking. Carbon Nexus will also bring an influx of new riders
to bike to the gym by handing out coupons to people seen locking their bikes to the sites bike
racks and entering the gym. A budgeting proposal may also be prepared in regards to replenished
inventory at the WREC. A proposal on bridging gender gaps is en route as well.

Timeline:
Monday, Oct.3, 2016 - Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2016, expected interview with Curtis Sicheneder,
Director of WREC.
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, group brainstorm and data analysis of all carbon produced during
WREC construction. Coupon distribution ideas. Film ideas.
Friday, Oct. 7, 2016, analyze the determinants of achieving a LEED platinum rating.

References

Brochure. (2009). How Green is the WREC? Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
http://as.csuchico.edu/wp-content/uploads/WREC16_Web_LEEDBrochure.pdf

Friedrich, J., & Damassa, T. (2014, May 21). The History of Carbon Dioxide Emissions.
Retrieved September 30, 2016, from http://www.wri.org/blog/2014/05/history-carbondioxide-emissions

Leon, N. (2016, September 29). Life in a greenhouse? How ghastly! Retrieved September 30,
2016, from http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/greenhouse/en/

Nix, S. (2007, November 10). Estimate the embodied CO2 of a whole construction project.
Retrieved September 30, 2016, from http://buildcarbonneutral.org/
Region, B. (n.d.). 350, The Science. Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
https://350.org/about/science/

Willis, J. (2010, September 08). Wildcat Recreation Center Receives Gold Rating for Green
Building Standards. Retrieved September 30, 2016, from
http://www.csuchico.edu/news/archived-news/2010-fall/8-9-10-wildcat-rec-centerreceives-gold-rating.shtml