The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment is a program of my organization where presidents and chancellors of higher education institutions promise to make their schools climate neutral. I thought it was fun that Union signed up. There are now 419 schools signed up, representing over 3.4 million students. Article below: http://www.union.edu/N/DS/edition_display.php?e=1452&s=7421 The greening of Union: College signs climate pact Union has gone green, officially. President Stephen C. Ainlay recently signed a pact with hundreds of other leaders in higher education to formally work on reducing, and eventually eliminating, campus global warming emissions. As a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC), Union also promises to provide critical research and education that will help eliminate global warming. “I am proud to be associated with 300 other college and university presidents in committing to make immediate changes to reduce our environmental footprint and to develop a multi-year plan to do even more,” Ainlay recently told the campus community. “The commitment dovetails with the College’s efforts to develop a work plan for sustainability as part of the strategic planning process,” he said. Ainlay made environmental causes a central theme in his Convocation address last month. “I am convinced that our response to issues related to the environment will be among those by which our era will be judged. I would ask each of you to commit to our efforts. We all bear responsibility for reducing our environmental impact and educating future generations.” As part of the ACUPCC agreement, Union has pledged to develop a comprehensive long-term plan to cut emissions. In addition, the College will immediately begin using sustainable standards for all new buildings and contract for wind power, which accounts for 15 percent of the school’s total energy that is purchased annually. ACUPCC is the first such effort by any major sector of society to set climate neutrality – not only a reduction – as its target. It was inspired by efforts like the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership and other collective efforts by states and businesses. To learn more, go to www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.