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Sustainability at American Colleges and Universities
Sustainability, as defined by the 1983 Brundtland Commission, formally the World Commission on Environment and Development (WCED), states “development which implies meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. As sustainability gains support worldwide, universities across the United States have begun to take initiatives toward more sustainable campuses. Alongside student-run projects, drastic changes in administration, energy efficiency, and food and recycling have sprung up in Ivy League schools and liberal arts colleges alike. The American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment is an evident effort to address global climate disruption consisting of a network of colleges and universities that have made institutional commitments to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions on campus, and to promote the research and educational efforts of higher education to prepare society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. Oberlin College in Ohio features the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certified music facility, while Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut has pledged that all new buildings will meet these same Gold standards.〔http://www.greenreportcard.org/report-card-2011〕 LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system created by the U.S. Green Building Council. This ranking system offers an incentive for building owners to implement green design, construction, efficient operations and eco-friendly solutions over the years. Buildings are responsible for about 40% of total carbon emissions. And so by including these green buildings, schools are decreasing carbon emissions, conserving water and energy and saving money each month. Princeton and Ohio University have both made strides toward cutting yearly carbon emissions on campus; While Florida Gulf Coast University has implemented solar energy throughout various buildings. A number of universities across the U.S. have created bicycle stations providing rentals to students and staff alike in an effort to reduce the burning of fossil fuels and automobile congestion as well. Car sharing like rechargeable Zipcars and reliable public transit have also helped incentivize more eco-friendly schools. These changes towards sustainability offer colleges a moral and ethical fulfillment as well as economic and financial benefits. Likewise, these universities are responsible for training future generations in sustainable practice. By offering students these more Earth friendly options, faculty and staff can ensure the well being of lands and resources for generations to come.
==Climate change==
It has been evident that climate change has become a main focus in the pursuit of sustainable solutions. As more evidence grows on the significant changes in the weather patterns in the past few decades and the impacts it has on disrupting human and natural systems far more quickly then what has been predicted, actions need to be made in order to maintain efforts in eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. With the lack of help from the government in reinforcing policies to further reduce these emissions, colleges and universities have taken it upon themselves to sustain this world through efforts around their own campuses.
Several programs have been implemented into action in order to keep track and encourage these institutions in committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions ('mitigation'). The American College & University President's Climate Change Commitment (ACUPCC) is an effort to address the issue of global climate disruption promised by a network of colleges and universities that have made commitments to eliminate greenhouse gas emission from specific campus operations, "while promoting the research and educational efforts and to promote the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. Its mission is to accelerate progress towards climate neutrality and sustainability by empowering the higher education sector to educate students, create solutions, and provide leadership-by-example for the rest of society." 〔http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/about/mission-history〕 With nearly 673 active signatories to date, 1343 GHG inventories submitted, and 419 submitted climate action plans - greenhouse gas emissions should no longer further to exist in the future.
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