| Four MICUA Colleges Pledge to Eliminate Emissions |
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MICUA Matters Fall 2007
As part of a nationwide incentive to further the cause of environmental sustainability, four MICUA colleges have joined with leaders of more than 300 institutions of higher learning in signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment. Launched in December 2006, the Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility that colleges and universities have as role models for their communities and in training the people who will develop the social, economic, and technological solutions to reverse global warming. The Maryland schools that have signed on to the Commitment to date are Frostburg State University; Goucher College; Howard Community College; McDaniel College; Mount St. Mary's University; the University of Maryland, College Park; and Washington College. Johns Hopkins University has also pledged to aggressively cut greenhouse gas emissions caused by its operations and is developing a comprehensive climate strategic plan over the next year.
By signing the Commitment, these colleges have pledged to eliminate greenhouse-gas emissions over time. This major undertaking is fivefold: 1) Completing an emissions inventory; 2) Setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral; 3) Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions; 4) Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience; and 5) Making the action plan, inventory, and progress reports publicly available. |