Number: 2007-02
WHEREAS, leading climate scientists have concluded that the world must reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30% in current levels by 2020 and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 in order to avert the most serious consequences of global climate change; and
WHEREAS, collectively, colleges and universities spend $317 billion annually and represent about 3% of Gross Domestic Product and 2% of the workforce, not including the ripple effect of local expenditures, taxes and jobs in the economy, and it is estimated that colleges and universities spend approximately $18 billion on operations and energy each year and $11 billion on new construction annually; and
WHEREAS, college and university buildings contribute approximately 19 million metric tons or 1.4% of the total carbon emissions of the U.S. commercial sector alone (not including indirect emissions such as those from employee commuting or significant purchasing from the industrial sector such as paper); and
WHEREAS, with anticipated college and university enrollment increasing by between 15-23 percent between 2000-2013, this climate footprint threatens to grow considerably without successful intervention; and
WHEREAS, the National Wildlife Federation has a strong history of working with college campuses and recognizing their efforts to reduce energy consumption and increase sustainability; and
WHEREAS, colleges and universities, by their nature, serve as sources of new knowledge and innovation and produce future leaders which are all necessary to confront the climate crisis;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled March 30-31, 2007, in Washington, D.C., calls upon colleges and universities to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by at least 30% in current levels by 2020 and by 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, we recommend that any funders of education consider institutions’ progress toward meeting these goals in their awarding of funds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation calls upon colleges and universities to serve as a model for the broader community and inspire other institutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports partner and coalition efforts to bring attention to global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions on college and university campuses such as the youth led Campus Climate Challenge, the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, and Focus the Nation.