University Presidents Promote Higher Education Climate Commitment
by Jeff McIntire-Strasburg, St. Louis, MO on 01. 4.07
Individual colleges and universities around the globe have been at the forefront of addressing climate change and other environmental pressures. Now, several university presidents want to create a joint effort modeled on the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement. According to the University of Florida's press office, UF President Bernie Machen has joined Arizona State University president Michael Crow and Ball State University president Jo Ann M. Gora in "becoming the first to sign the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. They hope 380 other presidents and chancellors will do the same by June." According to the American Association for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE),
Building on the growing momentum for leadership and action on climate change, the Presidents Climate Commitment provides a framework and support for America's colleges and universities to go climate neutral. It recognizes the unique role of presidents and chancellors in providing leadership and guidance in their institutions and to society. Presidents joining the Climate Commitment effort understand that taking a leadership position will improve their institution's position in the competition for research funding and for the best students, faculty, and staff.The Climate Commitment itself (in PDF) requires signatories to set specific, measurable goals within a definite time frame, and to incorporate proven models for achieving a lighter carbon footprint, including LEED building standards and ENERGY STAR certified products. While the goals have quite a bit of flexibility built in, each institution signing the Commitment promises to have a concrete action plan in place within two years. It's an ambitious effort, but sets a standard for action that other types of institutions and organizations would do well to follow. ::University of Florida News and AASHEThe initiative seeks the commitment of at least 200 presidents and chancellors by June 2007 and over 1,000 by December 2009.
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Sun, Nike, Starbucks and More Meet for Climate Action
- New Carbon Offset Protocol Launched by US College & University Presidents Group
- Universities Taking the Initiative to Reduce Their Carbon Footprint
- Geoengineering Redux: Fertilizing Trees with Nitrogen to Fight Climate Change
Yes, new steps have been taken in the educational fields and there are more events are going to rage later in the year 2007.
Also see Worldwatch's compilation of universities' efforts: http://www.worldwatch.org/taxonomy/term/458
I'm in Arizona and plan to pursue a B.A. in Sustainability when ASU begins it's Bachelor's program in 2008. I can't wait. It's so exciting to see that Arizona and other colleges are stepping up to promote global responsibility in the only way we can - through Education! Thanks for the info, Jeff!