Sustainability at The Aquarium
Sustainability at The Maritime Aquarium
The Maritime Aquarium’s leadership in sustainability and state-of-the-art green innovation dates back to 2014 with the acquisition of the nation’s first-ever battery-powered, hybrid electric research vessel, to replace the conventional diesel vessel we had used for educational and public excursions on Long Island Sound since our opening. Since then, we have continued to implement new green initiatives with accelerating urgency and priority over the last three years:
2022—Joined the Aquarium Conservation Partnership’s (ACP) Climate Commitment to become carbon neutral by 2035.
2023—Adopted a new, five-year Conservation Action Plan that prioritizes sustainability and addresses climate change in our operations, research, and conservation programs.
2023—Revised our Investment Policy Statement, requiring a percentage of investments to include ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) focused funds.
2023—Launched the Green Team, an interdepartmental group of individuals committed to leading the organization on its carbon neutrality journey.
2024—Ratified a new, ten-year strategic plan, An Aquarium Without Walls, which includes sustainability as an intrinsic goal throughout all that we do.
1 point
In what year did TMA acquire the nation's first battery-powered, hybrid-electric vessel?
1 point
By which year are we slated to become carbon neutral?
Under the umbrella of these overarching statements and strategies, we have implemented a variety of new actions, policies, and procedures throughout the organization to demonstrate our unwavering commitment to sustainability and resource conservation.
Energy and Emissions Initiatives
1. Solar Energy - In 2016, the Aquarium installed its first set of solar panels, as part of a larger Solar Photovoltaic system with production of 124,956 kWh per year (Figure 1.). Since installation, it has produced 1,062,126 kWh total, with an associated savings of 476 tons of CO2. By the end of 2025, the Aquarium will install an additional 123 panels that will generate 60,000 more kWh per year.
Figure 1. Aquarium roof covered with solar panels.
2. Combined Heat and Power (CHP) - As part of our pledge to be carbon neutral by 2035, we identified the Aquarium’s largest sources of emissions and developed a plan for reducing them. One of the first technologies to be implemented because of this study is the installation of a CHP system (Figure 2.). CHP’s are energy-efficient systems that generate electricity and capture “waste” heat for beneficial use, reducing the need for boilers. This system is expected to reduce the Aquarium’s grid electrical requirements by saving 57% of electricity and 324 tons of carbon dioxide in net emissions annually.
Figure 2. Diagram of Combined Heat & Power System
3. Hybrid Electric Vehicles - In 2011and 2012, we invested in a new fleet of vehicles—four hybrid-electric Honda Insights (Figure 3.). Since their acquisition, the Aquarium has saved approximately 15,316 gallons of gasoline and 291,012 pounds of CO2 from being emitted. In 2024 we added a hybrid electric pickup truck to our fleet for use by our conservation team and committed to making all future vehicle purchases either hybrid-electric or fully electric. The R/V Spirit of the Sound is currently being repowered with the latest hybrid technology.
Figure 3. One of four custom wrapped hybrid-electric Honda Insights.
Water Management
The Aquarium currently employs a variety of practices to manage and reduce water use including:
- Pinniped Cove’s activated filter media (AFM) filtration system from Dryden saves 115,200 gallons of water annually.
- Water reduction installations such as waterless urinals which save an estimated 40,000 gallons of water per year, battery operated hand sinks, automatic water dispensers, bottle fillings stations, and on-demand hot water heaters.
- Planned opening of a new greenhouse in late 2025 featuring a water saving irrigation system which will be used to grow food for our herbivores.
Material Lifecycle
Under the direction of the Green Team, the Aquarium has rapidly taken steps to reduce material life impacts. It has drafted a facility-wide Sustainable Purchasing & Procurement Guide and, in collaboration with our food vendor SSA, a composting plan centered around the aforementioned greenhouse to be built this year (2025). Facility wide recycling has been in place for over 30 years, and single-use plastics were eliminated from our food service since 2020. To reduce paper and increase efficiency, in 2024 we adopted Beanworks, an entirely digital system processing invoices, purchase orders and expenses, as well as Greenhouse, an HR platform that manages recruitment, hiring and on-boarding efficiently and waste-free.
Construction and Building Management
Over the past decade the Aquarium has been able to drive improvements across our campus, including but not limited to projects previously referenced (i.e. CHP, solar panels, etc.). We also utilize an Energy Building Management System that helps to optimize HVAC, reducing waste and significantly reducing energy consumption and operating costs.
Habitat & Natural Area Management
In addition to the previously mentioned conservation projects (see Unit 9.1 for reference) the Aquarium also promotes a wide variety of community science initiatives that further amplify this work (unit 9.3).
Engagement & Awareness
For staff and volunteers, the Green Team leads internal communications and programs, which includes dedicated pages and announcements through our intranet site, the Porthole, with information such as our own purchasing guide, AZA guidelines, best practices, webinars, etc. The Green Team also hosts a variety of in-person special activities such as Lunch and Learns.
Involvement Opportunities
If you have any interest in participating in the Green Team, a specific subcommittee on the Green Team (Procurement Committee/ Greenhouse Committee), or in another sustainability/conservation initiative such as community science, please contact your supervisor or visit the Green Team page on the Porthole to find the scheduled meeting times.
1 point
What does the abbreviation “CHP” stand for?
1 point
Which one of these is NOT a sustainability initiative at TMA?