Aquarium of the Pacific's Green Business Model
California Aquarium Leads Nation in Sustainable Business Practices
Sep 24, 2009
Most aquarists know that running a saltwater aquarium is not cheap. “It’s not the set-up cost that really gets most people,” says Mark Martin, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to the Saltwater Aquarium. “It’s maintaining the system over time—especially the cost of electricity—that really gets expensive.” While this conventional wisdom will resonate with many marine aquarists, the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California is proving it is possible to run a large aquarium and not be a massive consumer of energy. In so doing, the Aquarium of the Pacific is both a leader for aquarists and businesses interested in implementing a sustainable business model.
Most Energy-Efficient Business
The Aquarium of the Pacific hosts 1.5 million visitors each year, and while it is the only major U.S. aquarium to have increased attendance numbers annually for the past eight years—the Aquarium has experienced no net increase in kilowatt usage. In 2009, the Aquarium was awarded a Super Nova Star Award recognizing it as the most energy-efficient business with annual revenues under $150 million. The Super Nova Star Award is awarded annually by the Washington, D.C.-based Alliance to Save Energy.
Committed to a Sustainable Business Model
The Super Nova Star Award is but one award in the Aquarium’s impressive portfolio demonstrating its commitment to a truly sustainable business model. The Aquarium is a Climate Action Leader since 2007. In 2008, the Aquarium built the first carbon-neutral building at a U.S. aquarium. The building, an environmental classroom, also became first LEED platinum certified building in Long Beach, California.
By joining the California Climate Action Registry, the Aquarium agreed to measure, certify and report its greenhouse gas admissions to the public. In so doing, the Aquarium of the Pacific achieved another first by becoming the first museum in the United States to certify its greenhouse gas emissions with a registry.
Encouraging a Green Approach to Business
The fact that a leading public aquarium can successfully implement a sustainable business model should encourage other businesses to do the same. In addition to providing lights, climate control and electricity for the sake of the Aquarium’s guests, the Aquarium of the Pacific must spend a significant amount of money providing for the well-being of the animals in its care.
Barbara Long, Aquarium of the Pacific VP of Special Projects, explained to Suite101 how the Aquarium has managed to balance top-of-the-line husbandry and innovative energy efficiency.
"We've taken several steps to ensure our husbandry practices are energy-efficient," said Long. "Among them: we've insulated all of our pumps; we carefully monitor our temperature in our exhibits throughout the day to ensure they are only adjusted when they reach the peak of their acceptable parameters; we preset as many of our systems as possible; and we use energy-efficient equipment."
As any saltwater aquarist knows, maintaining the proper temperature, pumps, lighting, flow patterns, and water quality necessary to sustain life in a marine aquarium is an expensive endeavor. While many other aquaria and zoos run up the energy bill in the name of outstanding animal husbandry, the Aquarium of the Pacific has managed to provide first rate care for its more than 11,000 ocean animals, while actually lessening its carbon footprint.
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