Chancellor joins in Climate Commitment
Posted by Judy Riley on Wednesday, Jun. 13, 2007
University of Minnesota, Morris Chancellor Jacqueline Johnson joined over 250 other college and university presidents June 12 and 13 in formally committing to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate the campus’ global warming emissions. Chancellor Johnson also pledged to accelerate the research and educational efforts to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) was adopted at a summit of higher education leaders in Washington, D.C.
"It was easy for the University of Minnesota, Morris to sign on as part of the leadership circle for the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment and as a charter member for this national initiative,” said Johnson. “We are already a leader in the Minnesota system, the state and the country in our efforts to impact the environment in a positive way. We are especially proud to be one of a few schools in Minnesota and the only school in the University system to be part of this project. That the University of Minnesota Board of Regents have just approved the additional funding needed to construct UMM's biomass heating and cooling facility moves us even further down this energy-leadership continuum."
These efforts build on UMM’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, which already include initiatives and accolades in the areas of wind energy, local foods, conservation and recycling, service learning and more.
The Presidents Climate Commitment is the first such effort by any major sector of society to set climate neutrality – not just a reduction– as its target. This undertaking by America’s colleges and universities is 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.
“Colleges and universities must lead the effort to reverse global warming for the health and well-being of current and future generations,” said Michael Crow, president of Arizona State University and chair of the ACUPCC Steering Committee. “On behalf of all the signatories, I welcome Chancellor Johnson to the commitment, we are honored and pleased to have her join us.”
The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate. Under the guidance and direction of university presidents, the Commitment is being supported and implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), of which UMM is a member, as well as by Second Nature and ecoAmerica.
