(93e) Sustainability Initiatives At Several U.S. Institutions of Higher Education

Recently the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) released its 2009 Annual Report showing building momentum on comprehensive action towards clean energy and greenhouse gas pollution reductions in higher education

The following samples of observations made by some of the leaders of institutions of higher education point to a trend (perhaps and a new phenomenon) at campuses of institutions of higher education in the nation (and the world):

“”Colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to eliminate global warming emissions, and providing the knowledge and educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality campuses that address the climate challenge by eliminating global warming emissions….. will better serve their students and meet social mandate…” – The signatories of the ACUPCC.

“As the national debate on climate change moves in a positive direction after years of neglect, leaders of higher education are inspiring the rest of society to address the critical challenge of global climate disruption by reducing emissions on campus and by starting by starting to reorient the education of the nation's future professionals.” -- Dr. Anthony D. Cortese, one of the ACUPCC's supporting organizations).

“”More than ever, universities must take leadership roles to address the grand challenges of the twenty-first century, and climate change is paramount amongst these”. – Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University.

The authors of this paper have been involved with the Campus Sustainability Programs at their own universities in conducting and studying projects. This paper will present the results and discussions of design, implementation and outcome of campus sustainability projects initiated, completed and underway at several colleges and institutions of higher education including the University of Wyoming (UW) and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The vision, the lessons learnt, and impacts obtained from the implementation of these campus sustainability projects will be discussed in the paper. A part of this paper is a work-in- progress. The goal is to compare , contrast and draw conclusions to learn from different models of “campus sustainability initiatives and projects” that are emerging at different institutions of higher education.