Park University - Park University President Commits to 'Climate Neutral' Campus

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Park University President Commits to 'Climate Neutral' Campus

By University Advancement - July 3, 2007 - 11:05 am
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Park University President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D.

Advancing to the next step to a climate neutral campus, Park University President Beverley Byers-Pevitts, Ph.D., joined 284 other college and university presidents in formally committing to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate the global warming emissions of their respective universities. President Byers-Pevitts also pledged to work with faculty to integrate sustainability into Park's curriculum thereby better serving Park's students, and fulfilling Park's obligation to help create a thriving, ethical and civil global society. The Commitment was made June 12 at a Climate Commitment Summit of higher education leaders in Washington, D.C.

"Global warming is a defining challenge of our time. The world's leading scientists have ended the debate: emissions caused by human beings are responsible for climate change that will threaten the planet's ecosystem, the world economy and the lives of millions," said President Byers-Pevitts. "Human activities are responsible for the problem, and working together, humans have the capacity to solve the problem. That means working to reverse global warming. Park University is committed to leading the way to sustainability for our students and our community. This world is in the hands our students."

Park will create a comprehensive institutional action plan to move the University toward climate neutrality. Even before the adoption of such an action plan, Park is moving forward to meet its commitment and is building a 250 bed student residence hall to LEED Standards.

These efforts build on Park University's ongoing commitment to sustainability, including the requirements of the University's strategic plan, Explorations and Transformations 2012: Access to Excellence, that future development be undertaken utilizing planning principles that encourage a healthy, attractive environment based upon sustainable design principles; as well as the requirements of the new student housing design guidelines to select environmentally sensitive building materials. The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) was inspired by efforts like the US 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 ACUPCC Steering Committee. "On behalf of all signatories, I welcome President Byers-Pevitts 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), Second Nature, and ecoAmerica.

For more information about the Presidents Climate Commitment, visit www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.