Feb 06 2008
Environment
The SS Columbia Project is committed to creating a sustainable foundation for the vessel’s restorative, service, and educational activities. The first steps in demonstrating the Columbia’s sustainable approach will be the adaptive reuse of the existing structure and recycled content products, where applicable. The Columbia will also utilize green technologies for environmentally sound mobility: bio-diesel fuel to power the boat; restored clerestory windows to harvest desired daylight; and natural ventilation and solar and geothermal systems to optimize heating. Once the vessel is operable, educational displays and programming will help passengers understand the benefits of green design, while the excursion itself, activities, and artwork onboard will engage them to examine their relationship with the New York City harbor and the length of the Hudson River. Students aboard the Columbia will enjoy not only the materials aboard highlighting the biological diversity of the region but also the wide array of direct educational opportunities posed by Hudson River Valley’s rich ecological resources.
Making ships greener: great article by James Kanter in the New York Times on 04.26.08 - ( p. c1 ) about effort to make ships and ports greener ( worldwide ships produce twice the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere than planes !) including burning cleaner fuels, plugging into local electric grids dockside. The restored 106 year old Columbia transitions from coal to Bunker c ( discussed in the article ) to bio-diesel will place her in the forefront of these efforts to make ships greener….. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/26/business/worldbusiness/26shipping.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=ships+green+Kanter&st=nyt&oref=slogin