UC Berkeley Sustainability Awards

Edward Arens, professor of architecture, for "his leadership in sustainable design and development." Arens, who directs the Center for Environmental Design Research and the Center for the Built Environment, was recognized for integrating the topic of environmental sustainability in all of his building-design teachings.

Paul Black, a utility-engineering manager in Physical Plant - Campus Services, for his long-term dedication to energy conservation and his role as a leader in the Energy Intern program. Black has played a key role in many of the campus's energy-conservation projects: lighting retrofits, steam-trap replacement, and testing building efficiency.

Rebecca Jones, a graduate student in materials science and engineering, for her efforts in solar-cell research and The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), as well as her work with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in China. At Berkeley, Jones researches new materials for solar-cell production. She has also co-founded the campaign to create The Green Initiative Fund here. Pending approval from the chancellor and the Regents, this modest student fee will generate $200,000 annually for sustainability projects over 10 years. As a 2004 fellow in China, Jones worked on a project to make solar-powered flashlights available to rural communities that would otherwise rely on highly polluting, unhealthy diesel torches.

The students behind Berkeley Green Campus -- Desirae Early, Vi Do, Jessica Huang, and Kameron Kitajima -- for their dedication to campus education and leadership in energy-conservation projects. Berkeley Green Campus's energy-education efforts include outreach to residence-hall staff as well as a DeCal course, Energy 101 (award winning), which provides students the opportunity to participate in a variety of campus projects. The group has also worked in the dorms to replace light bulbs with the compact-fluorescent variety and to create excitement about resource conservation through energy competitions.

Chancellor Birgeneau received a special recognition for his leadership in sustainability, and for making the commitment not only to act locally but to work globally as well.