Sustainable Spotlight: Professors share their sustainable home

Update

A house that sits atop an elevated land in Talo’fo’fo’ attracts passers-by with its unique glass exterior. But beyond its curb appeal, the home has more to offer — it is also a model of sustainable design and function, according to its homeowners, social work professors Gerhard Schwab and Vivian Dames.

Dames said, “People sometimes refer to the house as ‘the boat house or the chapel or the church.’ It has been called many different things because of its modern design.”

Over the years, the house has been retrofitted with energy-efficient features that optimize the use of available resources in the environment. For instance, the house design uses passive ventilation to naturally cool living and workspaces.

“We have ceiling fans in every room. When we built this extension, we designed it so that in the hot afternoon sun, it doesn’t come in in any windows. So, it keeps that side of the house very cool,” Dames said.

Dames and Schwab also invested in a solar energy system that produces enough power for the home and an electric car.

“We have 40 panels out there and that is just enough to cover the household, the fridge, washer and the air conditioner plus our electric car. We have our solar panels covering our entire energy needs,” Schwab said.

The house also has a rainwater catchment system to support the non-potable requirements of the household. According to Dames, the system was designed into the house. In fact, the house has a pitched roof that catches and filters rainwater which feeds into a 2000-gallon fiberglass tank.

“We collect rainwater, and we have two tanks at the back. So, we collect the rainwater and then we pump it back in the house. When we take a shower and wash the dishes, it is all rainwater,” Schwab said.

According to Dames, building a fully sustainable home on island takes a while. “It is important to emphasize that it is difficult on Guam to establish a fully sustainable home environment quickly because it takes time and it takes resources and very importantly, you have to have the external support of people who are experts in the field and the infrastructure. to support sustainable living.” Dames added, “What we have today is something that is the result of years of envisioning and trying things and experimenting.”

Apart from having an energy efficient home, Dames and Schwab also practice sustainable living.

Schwab said, “Guam is very difficult in terms of removing or reducing our ecological footprint. One of my goals is to work on eating more locally produced food and cutting down airline traffic and not flying as much anymore.”

He added, “For us, although the economic savings is nice, trying to live an environmentally conscious life comes out of our fundamental beliefs in a social ecology. It is a framework that comes out of our being social workers and also our faith, our Catholic social teaching about the importance of stewardship. And our responsibility to be good stewards of the gifts of creation.”

October 27, 2022October 27, 2022

Sustainable alliances highlighted at G3 Steering Committee meeting

Update

At the Guam Green Growth (G3) steering committee meeting in October, members discussed the strategic alliances and opportunities that the multi-agency committee could pursue in the near future, including a regional commitment to address climate change and other issues across the Pacific. 

One of these regional commitments, the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific, was recently adopted by the Pacific Islands Forum, an inter-government organization formed by nations and territories across the region. 

Back in 2019, forum leaders endorsed the development of the 2050 strategy as a long-term solution to address the enduring challenges in the Blue Pacific continent.

Guam supports the strategy, according to Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, G3 steering committee co-chairperson, adding that the activities in the G3 Action Framework complement the regional blueprint. 

“All the work that we are doing really falls within this area. There is a big effort to really establish a positive regional framework and confront what everybody calls the existential crisis of climate change. That really is the top threat to the entire Pacific,” he said.

As part of the 2050 strategy, forum leaders developed ten commitments to strengthen collective action and deepen regional collaboration. The strategy contains seven interconnected thematic areas to support these commitments, namely:

Political leadership and regionalism
People-centered development
Peace and security
Resource and economic development
Climate change and disasters
Ocean and environment
Technology and connectivity

Like the G3 Action Framework, the thematic areas of the 2050 strategy are based on a set of comprehensive, integrated criteria. Austin Shelton, Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant director, said the strategy would be part of the agenda in the upcoming G3 biannual meeting.

Shelton, who co-chairs the G3 steering committee, also reported on the most recent offshore engagements of the committee members. UOG President and G3 co-president Thomas Krise and Shelton participated in a Local 2030 Islands Network meeting at the Climate Week Summit in New York, which coincides with the UN General Assembly. 

At the meeting, Shelton spoke with the leaders about the impact of the G3 initiatives on the island. “We had the opportunity to speak with these leaders about the work that we’re doing in Guam, particularly our Guam Green Growth implementation projects like our circular economy and Makerspace and Innovation Hub, our G3 Community Gardens. We are making a local impact to be part of this global change towards a sustainable future.”

Guam is a founding member of the Local 2030 Islands Network. As a United Nations hub, the network focuses on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in local and culturally effective ways.

October 27, 2022October 25, 2023

New G3 Community Garden set for ground raising in Dededo

Update

Through the University of Guam-Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative, a new community garden will be built in Northern Guam this November to provide a space for the residents of Dededo and Yigo to learn sustainable backyard gardening and participatory and equitable food production.

G3 and Guåhan Sustainable Culture (GSC) are spearheading the ground raising event at the Dededo Sports Complex on November 1.

The new community garden is part of an islandwide initiative launched by G3, GSC and other government and non-government partners last year. Its long-term goal is to develop gardens in several villages as centers of community engagement where residents participate in growing their own food and learning about sustainable food systems and practices.

Austin Shelton, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant director, described the G3 community gardens as beacons of education and food security. “We are bringing more sustainability to different parts of the island through these community gardens. We now have a garden in the South, another in Hagåtña, and soon, in Dededo,” he added.  

Michelle Crisostomo, GSC president, and co-founder, said that the new garden would make a great addition to the village. She said that they plan to incorporate the same features and programs at the Hagåtña community garden into the new site. “It would be another great place where the families can go, where they can also learn about growing their own food and another place where people can live an active lifestyle,” she added. 

GSC co-founder and vice president Marlyn Oberiano designed the first community garden in Hagåtña while the G3 Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps GSC members, and Pacific Federal Management Inc. fabricated the garden beds.  The 1,400-square-foot garden was officially opened to the public in August 2021.

GSC and the AmeriCorps GSC team continue to manage the Hagåtña site and host volunteer days for community groups and organizations. Later, G3 partnered with AmeriCorps to open another garden in January 2022 in the southern part of Guam, this time at the Jeremy Newby Community Center in Talo’fo’fo’.  

Guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the project addresses SDG #2: Zero Hunger, SDG #3: Good Health and Wellbeing, and SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities. 

September 28, 2022October 25, 2023

Guam Green Growth and Guahan Sustainable Culture confirm newest community garden partnership

Update

The University of Guam-Guam Green Growth (G3) initiative will break ground on another community garden at the Dededo Sports Complex in October, following the successful launching of the project last year.

G3 collaborated with Guåhan Sustainable Culture, the Governor of Guam, and other multi-agency partners to open or facilitate the development of community gardens in villages all over the island.

Austin Shelton, UOG Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant director mentioned the new project at the proclamation signing for Sustainable September, “Our community gardens are beacons of education and food security. Through these community gardens, we are bringing more sustainability to different parts of the island. We now have a garden in the South and another in Hagåtña, and soon, in Dededo.”

Michelle Crisostomo, GSC president and co-founder said that the new garden would make a great addition to the village, “It would be really great to showcase the same things (at the Dededo community garden) that we featured in Hagåtña…It would be another great place where the families can go, where they can also learn about growing their own food and another place where people can live an active lifestyle.”

G3 launched its first community garden in the heart of Hagåtña in August 2021. GSC co-founder and vice president Marlyn Oberiano designed the 1,400 sq.ft. garden while the G3 Conservation Corps, AmeriCorps GSC members, and Pacific Federal Management Inc. built the raised garden beds.

GSC and the AmeriCorps GSC team continues to manage the site and host volunteer days for community groups and organizations. Later, G3 partnered with AmeriCorps to open another garden in January 2022 in the southern part of Guam, this time, at the Jeremy Newby Community Center in Talo’fo’fo’. 

The community garden addresses several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG #2: Zero Hunger, SDG #3: Good Health and Wellbeing, and SDG #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

September 28, 2022October 25, 2023

UOG CIS and Guam Green Growth celebrate Sustainable September

Update

Joined by her Guam Green Growth Co-chair and president of the University of Guam Thomas Krise, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero proclaimed the month of September to be Sustainable September at a special proclamation signing held at Adelup.

Sustainable September featured events organized by the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant along with many Guam Green Growth partner organizations.

Leon Guerrero was in full support of the proclamation as she noted the importance of leading a more sustainable life for future generations.

“I am very honored to proclaim the month of September as Sustainable September,” said Leon Guerrero. “How do we sustain our island moving forward so that our generations are protected? This proclamation provides that tool.”

Leon Guerrero also noted the importance of climate change research for further development of our island.

“Climate change is a big priority of our administration and climate change needs to be addressed,” added Leon Guerrero. “[We need to address] how it’s going to impact our future generations.”

According to Guam Green Growth Action Framework Coordinator Camarin Quitugua, the month of September is also observed by the countries of the United Nations as a month for recognizing the Sustainable Development Goals and demanding urgency to create sustainable solutions for the planet.

“Our partnerships through the Guam Green Growth initiative have led to tangible solutions including the G3 Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub established at the CHamoru Village, the G3 Community Gardens in Hagatna, Talo’fo’fo and coming soon to Dededo,” added Quitugua.

Events scheduled for the month included Tree planting events, outreach opportunities, a kick-off wave, tours, exhibits and the first ever ArborFest event to be held on October 1 at Jeff’s Pirates Cove.

August 25, 2022August 25, 2022

Sustainability funding, food security, climate literacy and other updates from Guam Green Growth Steering Committee meeting

Update

At this month’s Guam Green Growth (G3) Steering committee meeting, members reported several current initiatives that support food security, renewable energy, healthy communities as well as upcoming funding opportunities to achieve the action items under the G3 Action Framework.

Austin Shelton, Sea Grant and Center for Island Sustainability director, started the meeting with an update on the University of Guam Sea Grant institutional status ceremony this month. Shelton, the co-chairperson of the G3 Steering Committee, said the status upgrade will be a game-changer for the University, for the island, and for the region.

“That means we are bringing more resources to better research and understand our marine and our coastal resources on our island and help inform policies and management to ensure that there is a wise use of these coastal resources,” he said, emphasizing that Guam has the most diverse coral reef system in the United States.

Meanwhile, Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio, who co-chairs the G3 Steering Committee with Shelton, reported on the Inflation Reduction Act that was recently signed by President Joe Biden. Tenorio said the landmark law has provisions that support renewable energy projects, tax credits for consumers of energy efficient products, and other initiatives that support G3’s push for one hundred percent renewal energy by 2045.

Guam Economic Development Authority administrator Melanie Mendiola, who co-chairs the Healthy and Prosperous Communities team, provided updates in food security and economic prosperity. “One of the significant events that happened was the groundbreaking of the Guam Fishermen’s Co-op seawall. This will not only strengthen our fishermen economically but also strengthen access and availability to what is grown here as opposed to what is flown here,” Mendiola said. She also reported on the completion of the 8th cohort under the GUMA incubator training last week and the continuing partnership with Maker Space and Innovation Hub.

Vangie Lujan, the co-chair of Thriving Natural Resource team, reported on the partnership between the Micronesia Challenge and Sea Grant for the Young Champion program, which seeks to build a generation of conservation leaders in Micronesia. According to Lujan, they are looking for a UOG or GCC student who is interested in interning with the UOG Sea Grant program. Each champion will receive $5,000 a year to cover internship costs.

Guam Community College President Mary Okada, who co-chairs the Educated, Capable, and Compassionate Island team, reported on the groundbreaking of the newest LEED-certified building at the community college. Regine Biscoe-Lee, who co-chairs with Okada, provided updates on the government’s childcare initiative.

Sustainable Alliances co-chair Carlotta Leon Guerrero provided updates on the Pacific Island Conference of Leaders next month. According to Leon Guerrero, around 20 Pacific government leaders will be at the meeting. Climate change is on top of the meeting agenda.

The G3 Steering Committee is preparing for its next biannual meeting next month. At the meeting, the G3 category of action co-chairs will share their progress in achieving the G3 Action Framework items which are aligned with the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

August 19, 2022August 24, 2022

Guam Green Growth celebrates Conservation Corps graduates

Update

Members of the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps capped off their five months of full-time hands-on training through a graduation ceremony held on Wednesday, August 18, 2022, at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex (Adelup) in Hagåtña. The ceremony recognized its second batch of conservation corps graduates since the members were recruited in March 2022.

The graduates include Jenelle Aguilar, Rejean Benavente, Johnny Borja, Jacob Concepcion, Remilou Hannigan, Dulce Imbo, Wade Kitalong, Ryan Perez, Christopher Quichocho, Hila’an San Nicolas, and Tre Starr.

Over the course of the last five months, the cohort gained experience through various aspects of sustainability such as agriculture and aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy and recycling, and renewable energy.

Members of the Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps capped off their five months of full-time hands-on training through a graduation ceremony held on Wednesday, August 18, 2022, at the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor’s Complex (Adelup) in Hagåtña.

The ceremony recognized its second batch of conservation corps graduates since the members were recruited in March 2022.

The graduates include Jenelle Aguilar, Rejean Benavente, Johnny Borja, Jacob Concepcion, Remilou Hannigan, Dulce Imbo, Wade Kitalong, Ryan Perez, Christopher Quichocho, Hila’an San Nicolas, and Tre Starr.

Over the course of the last five months, the cohort gained experience through various aspects of sustainability such as agriculture and aquaculture, island beautification, invasive species removal, reforestation, circular economy and recycling, and renewable energy.

“What you’ve done is tremendous,” said UOG President Thomas W. Krise as he addressed the graduates. “You’ve inspired other people just by your efforts. In terms of the cleanups, when you see somebody on the road and improving the road, it deters you from throwing something away as you drive by. You’re helping to change the feeling of how people treat the environment. You’ve done tremendous work and I’m very proud of you.”

During the graduation, Austin Shelton, director of the Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant program, highlighted the cohort’s contributions to the community.

“You have this training. You have this awareness and skills that you’ve built over these past five months that you can take into any career that you go into. That’s a very powerful force and you’re a part of this movement and we’re very proud to have you as part of G3. We’d love to continue to support you in any way that you may need in the future,” said Shelton.

From March 14 to August 18, the G3 Conservation Corps:

Collected and recycled 55,618 aluminum cans;
Planted 1,705 food crops and pruned 2,986 trees;
Built 81 feet of erosion control devices;
Removed 321 white goods and bulky waste;

Removed 19 brown tree snakes, 40 invasive frogs, and 27 gallons of invasive algae;
Completed 15 roadside cleanups and 5 beach cleanups;
Participated in 2 painting projects.

During the ceremony, Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio commended the cohort for their service to the island.

“The five months you were able to embark and work together collectively not only has benefited yourself, but it has also benefited the people of Guam. For that, I want to thank all of you for your individual role. I hope you’ll be able to maintain that advocacy through your work,” said Tenorio.

Dulce Imbo, a Conservation Corps graduate, was elected as the cohort’s representative to celebrate their completion of the program.

“Sustainability starts within our own lives and habits by knowing and understanding our own story and truth,” said Imbo. “The past five months has allowed us to deepen our own understanding and reflect on who we are as individuals and use our own healing and as a way to propel ourselves in the work that we do.”

About Guam Green Growth

Guam Green Growth (G3) is the island’s most comprehensive public-private partnership created to achieve a sustainable future. Aligned with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, G3 cultivates an ecosystem for transformative action to achieve our island’s sustainable, prosperous, and equitable future. UOG facilitates the island-wide initiative in cooperation with the  Office of the Governor of Guam and the 99 members of the G3 Working Group representing all sectors of our society.   

G3 first launched the Conservation Corps in partnership with UOG Center for Island Sustainability and UOG Global Learning and Engagement department to establish a foundation for workforce development to support an emerging green economy in June 2021.

August 1, 2022August 1, 2022

G3CC teaches recycling along Liberation Day parade route

Update

The Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps crafted recycling bins and distributed them to parade goers as the Liberation Day parade returned after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

The Corps distributed the bins free of charge as families fired up the grills and gathered to celebrate the 78th anniversary of Guam’s liberation from occupation and the end of World War 2.

During the parade, the group made their way up and down Marine Corps Drive and assisted families, collecting aluminum cans that will be donated to the IRecycle program to raise money for local schools.

“I think this is a great idea,” said Michelle Perez who attended the parade with her family. “(The Conservation Corps) even showed the kids what kind of cans were recyclable.”

Perez was just one of the many people who participated in the recycling efforts and used the bins provided by the second cohort of the workforce development program.

According to UOG Center for Island Sustainability’s sustainability coordinator Phillip Cruz, the Corps collected dozens of large trash bags of aluminum cans that were diverted from the landfill and will make their way to school bins to help raise funds for student activities.

“I hope the hard work of the Conservation Corps goes a long way to not only help get some of the cans out of the landfill, but also inspire people to continue recycling,” said Cruz. “The families were able to keep the bins we made and hopefully they will continue using them at their homes.”

If community members would like to donate cans and help recycle, they can deliver them to the Guam Green Growth recycling bins at Mayor’s offices or in IRecycle bins at participating schools.

July 14, 2022July 14, 2022

Comic publisher inspires artists in first Seedtalk Session event at Makerspace

Update

The Guam Green Growth Makerspace welcomed Jean Marie Munson, a Guam-raised publisher, cartoonist, podcaster, and educator as a facilitator of one of its latest workshops offered at the facility’s innovation hub on June 29, 2022.

During a presentation at the G3 innovation hub, Munson talked about her journey creating a sustainable art career. After, she facilitated a workshop in which she taught and encouraged participants to tell their own stories in a short format.

The Guam Green Growth (G3) Makerspace welcomed Jean Marie Munson, a Guam-raised publisher, cartoonist, podcaster, and educator as a facilitator of one of its latest workshops, the first in their recently launched “Seedtalk Sessions” series offered at the facility’s innovation hub in CHamoru Village on June 29, 2022.

Munson is a founding member of Plot Twist Publishing, a Nevada-based publishing house that specializes in comics. She is also a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Inspired by cartoons and comics such as Sailor Moon, Archie, and Peanuts, Munson developed an art style that reflected her identity and desire for diversity within media.

“What influences my art style is women empowerment, body positivity, and a lot of feminist themes,” said Munson. “I always have a sort of homage to Guam. In my dedications and branding, I would say that I’m from an island because I want people to know that great literature and art can come from a non-U.S. place.”

During a presentation at the G3 innovation hub, Munson talked about her journey creating a sustainable art career. After, she facilitated a workshop in which she taught and encouraged participants to tell their own stories in a short format.

Munson’s workshop is a part of a series of developmental opportunities provided by the G3 Makerspace in which industry professionals interact with island community members to stimulate creativity and encourage local entrepreneurship.

“The island has done a lot for me as a human being. Giving back is non-negotiable for me,” said Munson. “I want to spend this part of my life paying it forward and I really want to be part of the larger driving force that claims Guam as a creative hub and a place of innovation.”

June 20, 2022June 20, 2022

Conservation Corps members get their hands dirty at the Triton Farm

Update

The Guam Green Growth Conservation Corps participated in a week-long training in June at the University of Guam Triton Farm, where members gained real-life skills while learning about various sustainability topics.

For several days, the Conservation Corps members learned about food security, invasive pest management, and culturally appropriate agricultural and horticultural techniques under the guidance of farm manager Jessica Nangauta and staff.

“We are an integrated farm system. We have four acres here. We do aquaponics. This is where we raise tilapia, and grow leafy greens like lettuce, basil, and mint. We have a horticulture field where we plant a lot of native plants on the ground like taro, tapioca, calamansi, lemmai, banana, and different types of ground and seasonal crops. And then we have an animal husbandry area where we raise over 800 egg-laying hens for the community,” Nangauta said.

The main goal of the farm is to increase food security, food sovereignty, and to invite the public over to learn about what it is like to grow food on Guam, according to Nangauta. The farm provides fresh farm products to the community as well as local restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.

During their service at the farm, the Conservation Corps members:

Culled approximately 40 invasive frogs/toads as part of aquaponics pest management.
Planted approximately 430 plus lettuce sprouts in the aquaponics raceway and harvested and prepped 5 lbs. of lettuce for sale.
Collected and washed approximately 300 eggs from the hen houses.

Prepped around 200 ft or drip irrigation.
Planted around 200 taro seedlings, air layered 7 branches of lemmai, and planted 17 lemmai seedlings in pots.

Conservation Corps member Ryan Perez, the training experience at the farm exposed him to another aspect of sustainability. “This is an eye opener to see what other people on Guam are doing for food security and sustainability.”

The multi-acre organic farm in Yigo provides training, research, and outreach opportunities to the community in sustainable agriculture and food production. As a unit affiliated with the College of Natural and Applied Sciences and other colleges and schools of the University of Guam, the farm also hosts demonstrations and workshops on farming systems that integrate the island’s environmental, socio-economic, and cultural conditions.

“We are open from Monday thru Friday, between 9 to 4, and people usually call-in advance to let us know what they would like to order and to know what is available in the week. We also do farm tours. So, we invite the public over, from pre-school to the manamko to have them tour around the farm and do some hands-on work and volunteer,” Nangauta said.

For more information about the UOG Triton Farm, check out https://www.facebook.com/UOGTritonFarm