Climate Change @ UVM |
UVM Earth Week/Focus the Nation website. |
Caring about Climate Change
This
site provides information about how the University of Vermont is
addressing climate change, which is an issue of social, environmental,
economic and moral concern to our community.
Accounting for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
President Fogel signed the American College and University President's Climate Commitment
in June 2007 and preparations are underway to develop UVM's Climate
Action Plan. The first step in this planning process was updating our greenhouse gas inventory, now current for the years 1990-2007. In addition, the Office of Sustainability is working
closely with other academic institutions in the Northeast to catalyze
cross-fertilization of ideas and problem-solving with regards to the
challenges of maintaining an accurate greenhouse gas inventory on which
to base a realistic climate action plan.
Student Activism and Research
In the past few years, several grassroots, student-initiated efforts created a campus buzz about climate change:
- An upper-level environmental studies course titled Managing the Sustainable Campus
examined mitigation strategies for UVM's greenhouse gas emissions. This
research will help with the development of the University's Climate
Action Plan. Download their fianal presentation and recommendations
from the course wiki.
- A
group of graduate students proposed that the University adopt a policy
of proactive voting on climate related shareholder resolutions at
corporations in which the endowment is invested, and as a result, the
Board of Trustees adopted new climate proxy-voting guidelines in May
2008 and the treasurer's office began voting in favor of resolutions
asking corporations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support
development of non-fossil fuel energy supplies.
- Another group of gradutate and undergraduate students proposed that the University create a Clean Energy Fund
to spur the development of renewable energy technologies and sources,
and their proposal was approved by the Board of Trustees in May 2008.
- A
network of students, faculty and staff worked together to carry out the
first annual Focus the Nation teach-in on climate change in January
2008 and their dedication earned the University national recognition
for one of the most diverse and exciting Focus the Nation events across
the country. To learn more about Focus the Nation, click on the icon
above.
Last modified May 07 2009 03:01 PM
