Green Practices and climate change

The Seattle Aquarium is working hard to rebuild a healthy Puget Sound by maintaining green practices.   See the 2007 Annual Conservation Report for details.  Highlights of how we “walk our talk” include:

Solar Assisted Water Heater Demonstration Project
On the south facing wall of Pier 59 there are five glass solar panels. These panels absorb the sun’s energy to preheat water used by our café.
This solar water heating system lowers the amount of natural gas needed by the café, reducing CO2 emissions by 2.5 tons annually. Solar water heating systems can be used in combination with electric and natural gas water heaters.
A home solar hot water system can reduce our reliance on fossils fuels while improving air quality and reducing climate-warming emissions.
• In Washington homeowners can typically avoid 3,000 lbs of CO2 emissions per year using solar hot water.
• Solar water heating is a long-term investment that will increase in value as energy costs rise. Federal and state tax incentives can significantly improve your economic return.
• Seattle City Light and Puget Sound Energy offer customers a range of rebates and incentives to conserve energy and install renewable energy.
• CO2 emissions are causing unprecedented warming of the atmosphere.
• Increased CO2 has raised the acidity of the world’s ocean and our own Puget Sound, threatening the food chain from plankton to fish, birds, mammals and humans.
• Sea level rises are projected to disrupt vital nearshore habitats of Puget Sound.
• Projected reductions to NW snowpacks from global warming may reduce stream flows in late summer/fall that could seriously stress already threatened salmon stocks and reduce our region’s hydropower.

The Aquarium Solar Project is a collaborative project made possible with funding and support from Seattle
City Light and Puget Sound Energy – both recognized as national leaders in energy efficiency and
environmental stewardship.

Envirostar
Once again, the Aquarium was awarded the highest “Five Star” rating from the King County Envirostar program for superior management of toxic wastes.

Aquarium Expansion - Window on Washington Waters, Puget Sound Great Hall, Aquarium Café
Many green practices were incorporated in the construction of the new exhibits and café  including the use of cold saltwater for cooling, natural ventilation/lighting, use of recycled materials, sustainable forestry timbers and water conservation measures.

Recycling
Over 185 trees and 76,000 gallons of water saved (plus reduced greenhouse gases) through our recycling of nearly 20 tons of paper, cardboard, glass, metal and “technotrash”.

Lighting Upgrades and Green Products
Lighting upgrades saved $2000 while conserving electricity. Cleaning products, dishwashing soap, laundry detergent were all switched over to green products to help reduce pollution.

If you would like more information about green or sustainable buildings, including home remodeling ideas, visit the City of Seattle or King County Metro websites. For overall "green living" ideas check out the Green Seattle Guide - 101 Actions for a Healthy Urban Environment.