The University of Pennsylvania is the first Ivy to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. I think this is great, check out the release below. We worked hard to get visibility on campus. Hell I dressed up as a polar bear… But this truly shows that if you work together and build coalitions on campus, they have to take notice at some point. Oh, and for the Ivy Leagues (a little pompous and competitive I might add) just rubbing the “YOUR IN LAST PLACE PENN” card in their face no doubt “inspired” quicker than normal action on this issue. Members of the coalition had confronted them at a university board meeting in the fall of 2006.
PRESS RELEASE:
Penn President Endorses Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Reduction of Greenhouse Gases
Feb. 5, 2007
PHILADELPHIA – Pledging to significantly reduce emissions that contribute to global warming, Amy Gutmann, president of the University of Pennsylvania, announced today her signing of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment.
Penn will develop a comprehensive plan to achieve climate neutrality by reducing campus greenhouse gas emissions and offsetting unavoidable greenhouse gas emissions elsewhere.
“This is a defining issue of the 21st century, and I am proud to sign on and promote higher education as a leader in addressing global climate change through research, education and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions,” Gutmann said. “At Penn, we must recognize the impact of a research institution of our size and acknowledge that our management of utilities, our construction transit services and our recycling extends beyond our campus and has global consequences.”
With Gutmann’s signature, Penn is committing to development of a comprehensive sustainability plan by 2009. This includes completing a comprehensive inventory of all its greenhouse gas emissions; purchasing at least 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; adopting an energy efficient appliance purchasing program; committing to a policy that new construction be built to the U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver standards, or equivalent; and providing access to public transit for faculty, students and staff. Also, Penn will link climate neutrality and sustainability as part of its curriculum and student life activities, while also reporting on progress being made.
So can a Penn grad with 30 acres of woodland sell the U my carbon sequestration capability?
Hey,
I’m happy to hear that UPenn signed the PCC. At Cornell, we thought we would be the first one to do so. In any case, your victory is going to give a big push to our campaign. We’re meeting with the President this friday in hopes of having him announce climate neutrality on Monday.
Congrats! Glad to see the Ivies start to move on this. As Carlos said, it can only boost our arguement- we’ve been saying that if Cornell doens’t act now we’ll be behind. Now we are! Time for us to Step It up!