The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is an extraordinary resource for institutions of higher education that are seeking to promote a greener future. The organization’s website is packed with helpful information. The organization also hosts a blog on its website on which AASHE staff and campus sustainability community members “report on their work, on conferences they attend, and on ideas they have for moving campus sustainability forward.” With categories including Community Engagement, Curriculum, Transportation, Research, Financing, and Grounds, institutions seeking guidance for moving forward with green initiatives can find a wealth of worthwhile information. There is also an Events category within which the blog administrators share information on upcoming educational events and conferences. The blog can be located at http://www.aashe.org/node/2522.

by Beth Gray

It seems that many in the world today are seeking ways to make their lives more sustainable and “green.”  As individual citizens begin taking “green bags” to the grocery store and implementing carpools, businesses are also beginning to address the issues of climate change that are arguably reaching crisis levels.  The higher education industry has also begun seeking ways to make a difference in the realm of climate change.  Members of the higher education community have started to recognize the unique position they have in educating the nation’s next generation of leaders to be environmentally responsible citizens of Planet Earth. 

To this end, some 662 college and university presidents have signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).  This binding commitment speaks volumes to the dedication of signatory presidents to affect meaningful change in the way their institutions do business and educate students on the dangers of climate change. 

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