CHECK THESE EXAMPLES OUT: CAMPUSES ARE LEADING THE WAY!
Both Evergreen State College and Western Washington University students passed a student referendum to purchase 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources!
Central Oregon Community College spearheaded a successful effort to have COCC get 75% of its electricity from clean energy, resulting in COCC becoming the largest clean energy purchaser among community colleges in the nation. Their efforts were endorsed by a Republican State Legislator, featured all over the local paper and TV news stations, garnered an editorial in favor by the city newspaper, and noted by the EPA this month.
The California State University Board of Trustees, following a two-year student-run campaign, unanimously approved a policy to 20 percent of its electricity needs from renewable sources by 2010.
Yale University has committed to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 10% below 1990 levels through investment in energy conservation and alternate energy sources.
University of California Students across California’s UC campuses ran a year-long campaign that has resulted in a major clean energy victory! The victory includes a commitment to get 20 percent of the university’s energy from clean, renewable sources by 2017.
The University of Southern Maine is participating in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010. USM has taken steps like replacing inefficient exit sign bulbs with more efficient models and disconnecting lights in vending machines around campus. University of Wisconsin-Madison student’s convinced the administration to adopt a policy to reduce the campus’ energy use by 20% by 2010.
CU Boulder students convinced their peers to raise student fees to purchase a wind turbine. In spring 2004, the student government voted to extend and expand the wind purchase to 8.8 million kWh/year of wind, which reduces campus CO2 emissions by about 12 million pounds every year! CU also installed its first 7.5 kWh solar photovoltaic system in 2004.
Tufts University launched its Climate Initiative on Earth Day 1999, becoming the first institution of higher education nationally to commit to specific emissions reduction goals. In the interim, Tufts has nearly eliminated growth in university emissions of climate altering gases despite growth in the number of campus buildings through a significant number of creative initiatives ranging from a solar residence hall, to vending misers, to retrofits of existing buildings and green transportation initiatives. In May 2005, Tufts received the United States Environmental Protection Agency's prestigious Climate Protection Award. Tufts' climate change activities are complimented by a range of campus sustainability programs including recycling, comprehensive dining efforts, source reduction, transportation initiatives and landscaping. Campus Climate Challenge Toolkit – Fall 2006 – Page 6 of 32
“No institutions in modern society are better equipped to catalyze the necessary transition to a sustainable world than universities. They have access to the leaders of tomorrow and the leaders of today. They have buying and investment power. They are widely respected. Consequentially what they do matters to the wider public.” ~ David Orr, Author, “The Last Refuge: Patriotism, Politics, and the Environment in an Age of Terror”
