carleton college is proud to be a second nature climate leadership award finalist for the second year in a row. through formal adoption of its statement of environmental principles, carbon neutrality value statement, and climate action plan, carleton ingrained the value of sustainability within its operations, curricular and co-curricular programs. our 2013 video submission, “clean energy in our community” highlights areas where carleton has excelled in its commitment to campus sustainability and the american college and university president’s climate commitment (acupcc).

installation of a second wind turbine in fall 2011 reduced carleton’s purchased electricity by 25% and its scope 2 emissions by 18%. carleton’s electric vehicle charging station is the first of its kind in our county. student sustainability assistants champion many campus initiatives related to waste reduction, energy conservation, and sustainable food systems—including a student organic farm which sells produce directly to the campus food service provider. and carleton’s curriculum includes a popular environmental studies major and more than thirty courses related to sustainability. carleton college is proud to model these sustainable practices in our community while preparing graduates to confront the most challenging environmental issues of our time.

william paterson university in wayne, new jersey, is committed to environmental sustainability and is proud to provide a positive example for its 11,500 students while leading by example for our surrounding community and beyond.

william paterson’s campus-wide solar panel installation is a dramatic and visible sign of the university’s commitment to the environment. the solar initiative, with phase one completed in 2010 and phase two beginning in spring 2012, ranks among the top ten largest installations at higher education institutions in the united states.

the university targets carbon neutrality as a goal and includes conservation efforts that integrate sustainability across the curriculum, such as a new bachelor’s degree in environmental sustainability. this degree will unite areas of tangible study and research, and include courses in environmental science, biology, chemistry, mathematics, law, political science, and economics. graduates will be prepared with the interdisciplinary skills needed for careers in sustainability to meet the growing demands in academia, business, and government.

the conversion to smart buildings via upgraded energy management systems and use of electric maintenance vehicles has vastly reduced the university’s total energy consumption, as well as energy costs. in the past decade, the size of the physical plant has increased by 16.5 percent, while electric energy consumption was reduced by 30 percent and natural gas consumption by 50 percent.

in addition to this significant reduction in carbon gas emissions, the university has saved more than $17 million over the same time period through cost avoidance.

william paterson university continues to vigorously pursue energy efficiency initiatives and educational programs with the strong support of students, faculty, administrators, alumni, and community leaders.

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at the heart of spelman college’s tagline, “a choice to change the world,” is the understanding that making a positive social impact means ensuring the health of the environment for future generations. recognized as a leader in sustainability, spelman is the first historically black college and university to join the u.s. green building council and the association for the advancement of sustainability in higher education. spelman is also the first hbcu to have a leed silver certified residence hall. as you can see, we are changing the world – from spelman blue to green!

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