SAS Students Make Recommendations for a More Sustainable Semester at Sea

Student teams were formed to explore five broad topic areas in shipboard operations: food, energy, propulsion, water, and waste. Each team looked for long- and short-term ideas that could be implemented on future Semester at Sea voyages. All ideas had to pass evaluation in four areas including practicality, sustainability, strategic SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats), and financial impact. Those ideas that successfully negotiated the four hurdles were presented to the Spring 2010 Voyage Sustainability Council. The Council will consolidate suggestions and recommendations from all shipboard sources and submit them to Semester at Sea for consideration.

The food team focused on food waste reduction and recommended the exclusive use of smaller plates, expanding vegetarian options, and an increase in the procurement of organic foods. The proposal included suggestions that would allow these changes to be made while remaining within the existing food budget.

The energy team suggested a switch to compact fluorescent bulbs and the installation of energy master switches to reduce electricity consumption to reduce energy use in unoccupied rooms. The propulsion team had the most radical idea: the use of a commercially available retractable kite called a SkySail to supplement conventional engine power and potentially reduce fuel consumption by 18 percent. This would accomplish dual goals of reducing carbon footprint and cutting fuel costs.

The water team had two recommendations: 1. install low-flow shower heads and 2. consider a solar desalinization system to replace the current reverse-osmosis system for fresh water generation.

And the waste team suggested that future voyages adopt a "zero waste" strategy. The critical elements of their recommendations included replacing plastic laundry bags with mesh; using cups, napkins, and utensils made with recycled content; dispensing cereals and condiments from bulk containers; and stocking recycled-content printer paper. They also recommended the implementation of a more rigorous shipboard recycling program.

All groups stressed the need for effective metrics and an enhanced education and awareness campaign to reinforce the importance of personal choice.

Professor Guenther, who holds a chair in environmental management and accounting at the Technische Universitat Dresden, Germany, was favorably impressed with the students' performance. "Sustainability is a natural consideration for most Europeans," she said. "It is exciting for me to see the concepts being so readily embraced by these young students. I think they have established a sound foundation upon which future voyages can build."

And that is what this Spring 2010 voyage is all about - establishing an enduring Semester at Sea culture of sustainability.