American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment

The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) was a “high-visibility effort” to address global warming (global climate disruption) by creating a network of colleges and universities that had committed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.

Today, Second Nature is the main organization responsible for managing what is now known as "the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments". Second Nature is a nonprofit organization that "has worked with over 4,000 faculty and administrators at hundreds of colleges and universities to help make the principles of sustainability fundamental to every aspect of higher education.".[1]

Definition of sustainable development

The commonly accepted definition of sustainable development is defined as, “development that meets the needs of the present with- out compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” [2]

However, as pointed out by Lander Medlin, APPA's executive vice president, “sustainability is not just about protecting the environment—it is also about finding ways to meet the basic needs of all current and future generations of humans.” The ACUPCC seeks to encourage higher education institutions to give their students tools to think with a sustainable perspective for the future.[3]

Mission

The Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments seeks to create connections with higher educational institutions in order to carry out two goals: The first is to make an agreement with these colleges and universities that they will commit to eliminate their net greenhouse gas emissions from specified campus operations.

The second focuses on education and the institutions’ ability to promote research of sustainability programs and empower the higher education sector to educate students, create solutions, and provide leadership-by-example for the rest of society.

The Commitments provide a framework and support for America's colleges and universities, and the program relies on institutions of higher education to be role models for their communities as well as students, and to educate people who will contribute to fighting to reverse global warming and create a sustainable society.[4]

ACUPCC agreement

ACUPCC institutions agreed to:[5]

  • Complete an emission inventory.
  • Within two years, set a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
  • Take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions.
  • Integrate sustainability into the curriculum and make it part of the educational experience.
  • Make the action plan, inventory and progress reports publicly available.

History

In October, 2006, planning sessions were held at Arizona State University with the twelve founding signatory Presidents, Second Nature, ecoAmerica, and AASHE. ACUPCC was launched in December 2006, when the founding Presidents sent a letter to nearly 400 of their peers to invite them to join in the initiate. In June 2007, with a signatory group of 284, the ACUPCC was launched to the public at the first Climate Leadership Summit.[6]

12 founding signatories
  • Loren Anderson, president, Pacific Lutheran University
  • Michael Crow, president, Arizona State University
  • Nancy Dye, president, Oberlin College
  • Jo Ann Gora, president, Ball State University
  • David Hales, president, College of the Atlantic
  • Bernard Machen, president, University of Florida
  • Gifford Pinchot III, president, Bainbridge Graduate Institute
  • Kathleen Schatzberg, president, Cape Cod Community College
  • Mary Spilde, president, Lane Community College
  • Douglas Treadway, president, Ohlone College
  • Darroch Young, chancellor, Los Angeles Community College District
  • Paul Zingg, president, California State University, Chico [7]

Evolution

By 2010 there were 697 universities and colleges in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, representing a student population of over 5.6 million as signatories.[8] Complete list of signatories.

References
  1. https://secondnature.org/history/
  2. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-02-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-02-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org
  5. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-07-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-07-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2011-07-18. Retrieved 2011-07-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. "title?". January 28, 2010.
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