Your Zoo recently completed a full audit of energy use, water use and waste disposal to establish a baseline measurement of our environmental impact. The audit disclosed that the Zoo’s annual energy consumption is significant – almost nine million kilowatt hours of electricity and over 7,000 gallons of oil. Using the
carbon calculator on our website, we determined that our carbon footprint is over 10,000 tons, the equivalent of driving 25 million miles. We have made a commitment to become an energy neutral organization within 10 years. It will take many steps to achieve this important goal, including more efficient lighting and air conditioning systems. The
Mc-Neil Avian Center, scheduled to open in May 2009, will be powered by geothermal energy. The Hamilton Family Children’s Zoo, scheduled to open in Spring 2010, will feature several buildings with fertile “green roofs” and a state-of-the-art water collection system.
In addition to becoming energy neutral, we’ll be working to reduce our environmental impact in other ways. We’re increasing recycling efforts and reducing landfill waste by using biodegradable food packaging for items served at our food outlets. We must all do our part in preserving and protecting our planet’s limited resources. Habitat preservation through careful use of resources is the most effective way we can deliver our mission to preserve wildlife both at home and around the world. I hope you will join us in undertaking this important task, and I look forward to our continuing dialogue – in the Zoo gardens and online at
dewan.vik@phillyzoo.org.