Jennifer Green and the City of Burlington’s Sustainability Program partnered with Dr. Amy Seidl’s Sustainability Science class this spring to accomplish three goals: 1) to update the City’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory with 2013 data; 2) to analyze our data in the context of the City’s Climate Action Plan, in particular its target emissions reductions; and 3) to make recommendations given the findings. This service learning partnership was one of four classes supported by a sub-grant through Northern New England Campus Compact and the Environmental Protection Agency.  

After collecting Green House Gas data from 80% of the sources that work with or sell energy to the City, students offered an impressive 45 minute presentation of data, analysis, and recommendations readily usable by that office.  Additionally, one lucky UVM student will remain on board this summer as an intern for the City of Burlington to finish and “polish” the work so that the Inventory can be used publicly by the City.