FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 5, 2013
Contact: Rima Mulla, 617-722-0036, rmulla@secondnature.org
Ten Institutions Receive Prestigious Climate Leadership Awards
Recipients are recognized for innovation and leadership in sustainability
BOSTON, MA-Second Nature, a national nonprofit that works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society by transforming higher education, today announced that 10 academic institutions have been selected to receive its 2013 Climate Leadership Awards.
The awards are presented annually to signatory institutions of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) that demonstrate innovative and advanced leadership in education for sustainability and climate mitigation and adaptation.
"These exemplary institutions have shown us that bold action on climate is not only possible but pragmatic," said David Hales, President of Second Nature. "Their operational, educational, and community initiatives are fueling the thought behind what is both necessary and achievable in addressing climate change, and the labors of these leading institutions will benefit all of society."
This year, the award program's fourth, drew the most competitive pool of nominations to date. The winners were among 20 finalists chosen by Second Nature's board and represent the diversity of higher education institutions across the US.
"With institutional commitments to sustainability that are demonstrated both in the classroom and in operations, this year's winners are forging ahead with the work that must ultimately be done on a societal level," said Ashka Naik, Director of ACUPCC Initiatives. "They are proof positive that institutions can engage in this crucial work while reducing costs, improving quality, and fostering innovation."
Signatories of the ACUPCC, which is staffed by Second Nature, pledge to eliminate their campuses' net greenhouse gas emissions and make sustainability a part of the educational experience of all of their students. Collectively, the network offers 12,482 sustainability-focused courses and 358 sustainability degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. By 2012, the network had already achieved a 25% (10.2 million MtCO2e) reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since the initiative began in 2007. Based on current projections, signatories are expected to reach a 93% reduction by 2050. More details about the network's progress can be found at www.secondnature.org/acupcc-progress.
2013 Climate Leadership Award Winners
Doctorate Granting University
Missouri University of Science & Technology (MO)
Portland State University (OR)
SUNY College of Environmental Science & Forestry (NY)
Master's Granting Institution
Chatham University (PA)
Goddard College (VT)
Baccalaureate College
Middlebury College (VT)
Oberlin College (OH)
Associate's College
Bellevue College (WA)
University of Hawaii Kauai Community College (HI)
Special Focus Institution
Pratt Institute (NY)
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About Second Nature
Second Nature works to create a healthy, just, and sustainable society beginning with the transformation of higher education. Second Nature is the support organization of the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment. Learn more at: www.secondnature.org.
About the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC)
The ACUPCC is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments from college and universities to accelerate the education, research and community engagement to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate, and eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from their own operations.
Learn more at: www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.
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