Lessons in green: Higher education leading the way

Campuses across the country are going green. From stocking cafeterias with local, organic foods to installing wind turbines and building green buildings, students are becoming active environmentalists.

This has all been taking place in the last few years.  So, why then the sudden change?  And what does it mean?

Well, while bustling between the dorm, classroom, library, and laboratory, do you or did you ever stop to consider what it takes to keep the whole system running?    

Colleges and universities are huge energy consumers. Think of all the electricity it takes to keep the dorms and classrooms open and welcoming, the cafeteria fully stocked for thousands of students for three meals a day, the treadmills at the student fitness center cranking away at all hours (in case you get the urge to jog at 2 a.m.), and all those computers in the library logged on to Facebook. 

While there is no comprehensive data on the total amount of energy used by college and university campuses, we do know that 48 percent of the energy consumed in the country is in the buildings sector and 27 percent is in the transportation sector.

Colleges use a great deal of energy in both: lighting up sports stadiums and sending admissions counselors to recruit students across the country, for example.

Schools Take Action

Whether fighting for civil rights or campaigning against military conflicts, colleges and universities have always taken the lead on social change. And on campuses across the nation, the environment is arguably the latest battleground.

Almost 600 schools -- as diverse as Cartaret Community College in North Carolina, American University in D.C., and the entire University of California system -- have signed on to the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, and by doing so committed to going climate neutral (as in they emit zero emissions). That's almost 15 percent of the 4,000 colleges and universities in the United States.

Challenges Ahead

Getting to zero greenhouse gas emissions is proving to be far more challenging than agreeing to do so.

Like big operations everywhere, campuses are plagued by divisions. The lack of coordination between students, faculty, and the various administrative departments often hampers environmental initiatives across the board. 

Rocky Mountain Institute recently partnered with the ACUPCC and twelve schools to make the task easier for all involved. Through rigorous analysis and on-site tours, RMI will compile a report (to be published in 2009) that documents how to integrate technical climate plans with institutional practices, governance structures, financial decision-making processes, and campus culture.

These efforts are critical for several reasons. Similar to for-profit corporations or your family home, schools are hit hard by rising energy costs. Energy bills for campuses have doubled or tripled in recent years. With state budgets as strained as they are, improvements in energy efficiency can make a huge difference.

Rewards for Green Schools

Prospective students are even considering a school's sustainability record in deciding where to attend. This summer, the Princeton Review announced the inclusion of a "Green Rating" in its college rating guide. That's right, the Green Rating will be right up there with Average SAT Score, Retention Rate, and Cost of Attendance. 

As more campuses join the ACUPCC, the collective impact of their efforts will be huge.

Not only will these universities help the climate and save tens of thousands on utility bills, but they will teach their students an important lesson in leadership and responsibility.

Bringing the country's infrastructure down to zero emissions is not a small undertaking. Fortunately, green colleges are set to produce students eager to put their environmental and bureaucratic know-how to good use.

Betsy Herzog is Rocky Mountain Institute's Knowledge Manager.