Governors Call on Higher Ed Sector in Regional Climate Change Plan

Quebec City, Quebec (September 10, 2002)—On the heels of a major heat wave throughout the United States—felt with particular intensity in the Northeast—the New England Governors’ and Eastern Canadian Premiers have strengthened their resolve to address the causes and effects of global warming across the region, calling specifically on colleges and universities to set goals for reducing their emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases.

Because energy consumption patterns on campuses are similar to that of many communities throughout the Northeast, the governors and premiers view the region’s colleges and universities as natural models for CO2 emissions reduction. With hands-on learning and research facilities, campuses are ideal laboratories for demonstrating more sustainable building practices, alternative energy sources, improvements to transportation systems, and collaboration among multiple campus stakeholders.

Area Colleges Take the Lead
Aided by Clean Air-Cool Planet’s software and resources, the University of New Hampshire, the University of Vermont, Tufts University, Bates College, Bowdoin College, and Middlebury College among others are taking significant steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In September, Skidmore College and Clean Air-Cool Planet will hold a conference—A Meeting of Northeast Campuses for Climate Action—to expand the consortium of schools from across the region that seek to diminish their global warming footprint.

“Our campus and business partners are meeting the governors and premiers’ challenge in a one-two punch: they’re maintaining the region’s academic integrity and competitive economic stature, while successfully reducing their global warming emissions,” says Ned Raynolds, Clean Air-Cool Planet’s Senior Program Officer, who attended the conference in Quebec.

About Clean Air-Cool Planet
Clean Air- Cool Planet inspires coordinated action among citizens, businesses, government, and community leaders throughout the Northeast to achieve reductions in greenhouse gases. CA-CP has forged effective partnerships with major businesses and corporations in the region, including Shaw’s Supermarkets, The Timberland Company, and Verizon. Visit www.cleanair-coolplanet.org.

Contact: Clean Air-Cool Planet
Bill Burtis, Communications Manager, (603) 422-6464 ext. 105
bburtis@cleanair-coolplanet.org

Ned Raynolds, Senior Program Officer, (603) 422-6464 ext. 100
nraynolds@cleanair-coolplanet.org