Hey peeps. I'm passionate about sustainability and climate change. I'm thus naturally attracted to schools that share this focus. Does anyone know which colleges and universities are known for having the most energy-efficient campuses? It'd be nice to know that my tuition is going to a place that's doing their part for the environment. Thanks!
Certainly! There are quite a few colleges and universities which have committed towards energy efficiency and sustainability. Prominent among these is the University of California, Irvine, which has been named the Coolest School by Sierra Club due to its commitment to the environment and sustainability.
Stanford University is another leader in sustainable campuses. Their Central Energy Facility helps the university achieve a 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is quite impressive.
Middlebury College in Vermont has committed to campus carbon neutrality and achieved this goal in 2016. Their sustainability efforts include an emphasis on local food sourcing and a biomass heating plant.
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF) has an entire academic program centered on sustainability. They've made it a part of their mission to be efficient with their energy use on campus, and the school has several LEED-certified buildings.
Appalachian State University in North Carolina has a program called "sustainable development". They approach sustainability from various angles like research, academics, operations, and campus life.
Finally, Arizona State University has a School of Sustainability offering degrees focused on sustainable energy, food, cities, and more. Their huge campus-wide solar power project has substantially reduced the university's nonrenewable energy use.
Those are just a few examples, and it's an impressive list to start with. Remember to look at the school's commitment to sustainability, not just its current practices, to get a better idea of its commitment to climate change issues in the long term.
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