| By canow.environment - Nov 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am EST |
Tags: Climate Change, environment, Global Warming, student activism, sustainability
"All across the world, in every kind of environment and region known to man, increasingly dangerous weather patterns and devastating storms are abruptly putting an end to the long-running debate over whether or not climate change is real. Not only is it real, it's here, and its effects are giving rise to a frighteningly new global phenomenon: the man-made natural disaster."
BARACK OBAMA, speech, Apr. 3, 2006
Students in Universities across the country (and world), are working for change. Many have realized that if we do not change our ways now, we will pay life-threatening consequences in the future.
I wanted to highlight the current waves of "activism in academia" because the two really go hand in hand. Learning about and becoming more aware of environmental issues ignites passion. The following sustainability digest was posted by the Chancellor's Advisory Committee on Sustainability at the University of California, Berkeley...please read on and share with others.
University of Maryland 2008 Sustainability Report
The University of Maryland, College Park Office of Sustainability has released its Campus Sustainability Report 2008. The Report relates some of the progress the University has made over the past 8 months and includes a Campus Sustainability Metrics section, which chronicles the campus's progress in sustainability.
Colorado State U Names Managing Director of Climate Initiatives
Colorado State University President Larry Edward Penley has appointed Aaron Levi, formerly his chief of staff, as managing director of Climate Initiatives and Carbon Assets to manage the University's plan to reach carbon neutrality by 2020 and to oversee other university-wide environmental efforts. As operations manager, he'll work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to develop a long-term strategy and track the University's sustainability and energy management plans. He also will ensure the University completes its prior sustainability commitments, including the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment and the AASHE STARS pilot project.
Yale U Releases 2008 GHG Reduction Strategy
Yale University (CT) has released its 2008 Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy executive summary. The summary illustrates Yales progress to date and outlines the Universitys strategy for reaching its target to reduce emissions by 43 percent below 2005 levels by 2020.
See also: Yale Brochure
UW Madison Holds Carbon Neutral Homecoming Game
This year's University of Wisconsin, Madison homecoming football game against the University of Illinois has been designated carbon neutral. UW Madison has planted thousands of trees at a nearby farm and purchased carbon credits through the Chicago Climate Exchange to offset the carbon dioxide emissions generated directly by activities surrounding the game. The event also provided information on ways fans can take action in their daily lives to become more environmentally friendly.
Clean Air Cool Planet Online Campus Climate Action Toolkit
Clean Air Cool Planet has released the newest version of its online Campus Climate Action Toolkit (CCAT). It is intended to model what an actual published Campus Climate Action Plan might look like and provide direction for creating a new plan. It consists of guidance for every aspect of "campus climate action" along with hyperlinks to technical resources and examples/case studies that will help people understand, plan, and execute or implement the CCAP's various elements.
The People Speak.org invites proposals for its Climate Crews 2008/2009 competition. Students are invited to submit a proposal on how their school could improve its Sustainable Endowments Coalition College Sustainability Report Card grade. Submissions will be accepted from non-Report Card schools as well. The top 10 Climate Crew submissions will win $500 to help pay for the submitted campus project; an invitation to a Washington, DC training to meet leading climate, energy, and sustainability experts; and an on-campus sustainability and endowment seminar from SEI. Proposals are due November 24, 2008.
New York Times Features Campus Bike Programs
The New York Times has published an article entitled, "With Free Bikes, Challenging Car Culture on Campus." The article mentions the University of New England's (ME) and Ripon College's (WI) bike give-away programs, Mercer University's (GA) and Emory University's (GA) bike rental programs, and Saint Xavier University's (IL) computer-driven bike sharing program. The goal of campus bike programs, according to the article, is to reduce the number of parking spaces needed on campus and to promote a healthier and greener transportation method.
See also: List of Campus Bike Sharing Programs (AASHE members only)
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