Finding Commitment in College

Has your college or university signed the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment?

The agreement requires signatories to commit to taking specific steps toward carbon neutrality by formulating an institutional action plan.

Here is an excerpt from the agreement:

"We believe colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to minimize global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality. Campuses that address the climate challenge by reducing global warming emissions and by integrating sustainability into their curriculum will better serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical and civil society. These colleges and universities will be providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the critical, systemic challenges faced by the world in this new century and enable them to benefit from the economic opportunities that will arise as a result of solutions they develop."

Not sure if your school or alma mater has signed? Visit the website today to check out the ever-growing list of signatories, and remember that as an alum or current student, you have tremendous influence over whether or not your school signs.

If your college or university is already on board, see where they are with their carbon neutrality plan, and if you are impressed, offer to support their efforts. Many colleges and universities are establishing sustainability initiatives specifically to address the need to be more energy efficient.

While signing the agreement is a good first step, it's the actions that colleges and universities choose to take after signing that will make the difference.

Visit a National Park (For Free!) Next Weekend

Time spent in National Parks allows us to experience nature's majesty by ourselves or with family and friends. Last July, I was visiting Glacier National Park for the first time and having my first encounter with a Grizzly Bear. Just to back up my assertion, The Huffington Post recently published a post by Barbara Fenig titled "Top Ten Best National Parks You Don't Know About," and Glacier was #1 on the list.

In case you need any additional incentive, next weekend, August 15th and 16th, entry to many of the parks is free! Here is a list by state of all of the parks that will be fee-free next weekend - Enjoy!