National Policy Changes To Advance Sustainability
National policy change reinforces the leadership colleges and universities are taking towards sustainability and supports broader progress. Second Nature keeps college and university presidents and other senior leaders informed of important national policy issues and opportunities to make their voices heard.
Second Nature also works closely with the Campaign for Environmental Literacy, higher education associations, and other partners to advocate for national policy changes and increased federal funding to advance higher education sustainability initiatives.
Secure $25 million for the University Sustainability Program in FY 2011
1. Join more than 200 presidents to register your support for federal funding of USP competitive grants by emailing dryan@secondnature.org.
2. Urge your Representative in Congress to join other Members to urge the Labor-HHS Subcommittee to fund USP.
Read more about our 2010 Policy Priorities...
Policy News
40 College and University Presidents Urge President Obama andMajority Leader Reid to Provide Personal Leadership in Passing Legislation This Year to Put a Price on Carbon
Second Nature�s National Transportation Policy Task Force Calls for Transportation Policy Changes to Support Climate and Energy Goals
On May 11, 2010, Second Nature�s Task Force of 15 Presidents maderecommendations to Congress and the Obama Administration to change transportation policy to make reducing greenhouse gas emissions a top priority.
Second Nature Signs Joint Letter to Senate Opposing Amendment to Limit EPA's Clean Air Act Authority
Thirty-eight major organizations signed a letter on January 8, 2010, registering deep concern for Senator Murkowski's proposal.
Presidents' National Policy Priorities
A summary of the results of surveying ACUPCC presidents, 25% of whom have identified their priorities for national policy change.
More than 150 College and University Presidents Tell Senators that Education is the Missing Link in Federal Climate Legislation
Presidents sent letter calling on the Senate to help prepare the American people for a clean energy economy by including in the climate bill funds for education - at all levels - to help Americans make well-informed decisions as consumers, workers, business-owners, and investors.
Federal funding for College and University Sustainability Initiatives
Last year, the Higher Education Sustainability Act authorized $50 million for the Department of Education to competitively award grants to colleges and universities development, implementation, and evaluation of sustainability curricula, practices and academic programs – but no funds have been appropriated for the University Sustainability Program (USP). Several colleges presidents have joined in a letterto Secretary Arne Duncan to urge the Department of Education to make funding for USP a priority in the President’s FY 2011 Budget request to Congress. The statutory language authorizing USP grants is here.