As we enter the second decade of the 21st century, we are facing a critical challenge. Scientists warn that the speed of climate change due to ‘greenhouse’ gas emissions is accelerating rapidly; that the natural resources that sustain us are threatened by manmade pollution.
The problem appears overwhelming. What can we possibly do? Talk alone is not enough. Action is the only answer, and I am proud to say that Berkeley College is already acting to reduce our carbon footprint and heighten awareness about the importance of protecting our environment.
In 2008, Berkeley College became a proud partner in the Mayor’s 2030 Challenge, joining over a dozen universities in the greater New York City area that have accepted Mayor Michael E. Bloomberg’s challenge to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in one decade.
And in July of 2009, we joined other college presidents across the nation who are participating in the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment. Together, we pledge that our institutions of higher learning will take a leadership role in facilitating a sustainable future for our planet.
At Berkeley, we are actively engaged in reducing our carbon footprint through the introduction of energy conserving lighting and appliances for our campus facilities, motion sensing devices, “power down” protocols for computers, low flow faucets and flushers, and campus wide recycling and/or conservation of paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, toner and ink cartridges and cell phones.
Through Berkeley’s environmental awareness program, Project GreenPath, we are heightening awareness that the ‘Earth is Our Business.’
In addition to all of the recycling activities already in place, beginning the first week of February, Berkeley College will participate in “Recyclemania,” a nationwide university challenge to reduce waste on campus. Please visit the Berkeley College website for details about our activities as well as Recyclemania.org for events around the nation.
I invite you to share what you are doing to save our planet for future generations by adding your comments below. I look forward to hearing from you.
Cordially,
Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President
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Very exciting - keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteTerrific group of initiatives!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update on all of our efforts to recyle and reduce our carbon footprint. And, the hydration stations on campus will help encourage the use of reusable water bottles. Great idea! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAs an avid tree-hugger, I never feel I am doing enough, but I try harder each day.
ReplyDeleteAs a rather active member of Project Greenpath, I feel that together we are working to help affect real change here at Berkeley College. We could always use new members and new ideas so I hope you will use this as a chance to start getting involved too. Please contact any one of use for more information although soon enough we will be reaching out to you to get you to Reduce, Reuse and Recycle for RECYCLEMANIA.
I personally will be reaching out to all the students out there with Sustainable Solutions and Environmental Conservation, but would be happy to educate everyone else through some lunch-time talks if you are interested too. Just contact me and we'll set something up for you. You can hear about what I am doing every day to make a difference and we can hear from you as well (But be warned, I will steal all great ideas to pass on to others!)
Berkeley College and Project Greenpath are partnering with others to move toward a better future, a sustainable future. I am honored to be a part of that and hope you are too. Remember, Earth is our business too!
I think is great what the college have been doing to become greener, but as a student I been doing my part to. For example I use fluorescent light bulbs which help me a lot because it uses less energy and it last way longer than the regular light bulbs. I also recycle anything that could be recycling even my papers I don't need from school any more. Instead of not fill up the washing machine I try to fill up the most I could because it save water and energy. And lastly just buying greener products for home could help a lot. I think each person could make a difference even though they may seem little but it would help in the long run.
ReplyDeleteOne way I help save the planet, I use natural household cleaning products.
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