What are the least sustainable colleges?

Hello, I'm quite conscious about my environmental footprint and keen on joining a university that actively cares about sustainability. Which colleges, on the flip side, are known to be the least sustainable?

It's encouraging to see that environmental impact and sustainability are essential considerations for your college selection!

Identifying the 'least sustainable' colleges can be a challenge since sustainability is a broad subject extending from water conservation and renewable energy to curriculum and community outreach, and many factors play a part. However, some schools consistently fall short in national and international rankings due to either a lack of prioritizing sustainability initiatives or little transparency in reporting their efforts.

Sierra Club releases an annual ranking called "Cool Schools" which rates campuses on various sustainability factors. You might want to check out the bottom of their list, but remember that some institutions do not fully participate in the ranking, which could lead to lower scores than their actual efforts might merit.

The Sustainable Campus Index published by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education also has a detailed breakdown of universities that haven't shown significant effort or progress in their sustainability efforts.

Also consider that these rankings often don't take renewable energy purchasing into account because not all schools have the chance to implement these types of initiatives, due to their location.

Please keep in mind that just because a school ranks low on these lists, that doesn't necessarily imply that they aren't making efforts toward increasing sustainability or that they don't have any environmental initiatives at all. It might just mean that there are areas where the school can improve. This might also offer opportunities for you to get involved and advocate for more sustainable practices on campus!

I'm glad to see you're considering this factor in your college search. It's an important issue that is becoming increasingly relevant. Best of luck with your college search!