MU President Paints the White House Green

On Thursday, Nov. 19, Millersville University (MU) President John Anderson traveled to the White House for the launching of the “American Campuses Act on Climate” Pledge Day of Action. The day included a roundtable discussion with higher-education campus and business leaders, White House officials and other public figures to highlight the best practices to promote sustainability and address climate change on college campuses.

More than 200 colleges and universities representing more than three million students submitted pledges to the “American Campuses Act on Climate.”  Of those colleges and universities, 38 were invited to the Day of Action at the White House, including MU. As a regional leader on the issue of climate change, MU has taken steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that not only lessens our own carbon footprint, but inspires others to take action.

“By signing the climate pledge, Millersville has reaffirmed its commitment to be part of the climate change solution at a critical time when leaders from around the world are meeting in Paris to develop international climate change mitigation strategies,” said Chris Steuer, MU sustainability manager.

MU made the pledge to achieve carbon neutrality within two decades by reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions from campus operations through significant upgrades in building energy efficiency, transitioning to on-site renewable energy generation and use of low-carbon modes of travel. A new model for responsible campus growth will begin with the construction of the Lombardo Welcome Center, which will be a Net-Zero Energy building. Community-based climate change initiatives will elevate the conversation among students, faculty and staff, as agents of change within our community, through positive education and outreach programs.

In 2013, MU signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment that requires the University to prepare a greenhouse gas emission inventory and a Climate Action Plan that sets a path to go carbon neutral. The “American Campuses Act on Climate” renews that commitment for not only MU, but other colleges and universities around the country.

“As members of the Millersville community and global community, we can each do our part—beginning with being part of the discussion in the upcoming Climate Action Plan briefings,” Steuer added.

Solving the climate change problem requires participation at all levels, from individuals to nations. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to take individual steps to better the environment by recycling plastic bottles or turning off electronics at night. There are three upcoming Climate Action Plan informational sessions that are open to the public:

• Monday, Dec. 7, 10 – 11 a.m. in SMC Room 18
• Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2 – 3 p.m. in SMC Room 118
• Thursday, Dec. 10, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. in SMC Room 118

For additional information concerning the Climate Action Plan and/or MU’s climate commitments, please contact Chris Steuer, sustainability manager, at 717-871-5031 or Chris.Steuer@millersville.edu.

For more information about the United Nations Climate Change Summit in Paris, please visit   www.cbsnews.com/news/paris-climate-change-summit-what-you-need-to-know/ or follow the United Nations on Twitter (@UN) for live tweets of the event.