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.