UB Signs American Campuses Act on Climate
November 19, 2015
Contact: University Relations
Phone: 410.837.5739
The University of Baltimore is one of more than 200 colleges and universities nationwide to sign the American Campuses Act on Climate, an effort to bring together higher education institutions and their students to call for action on emissions reduction and a more sustainable future.
As announced by the White House on Nov. 19, the pledge states:
"As institutions of higher education, we applaud the progress already made to promote clean energy and climate action as we seek a comprehensive, ambitious agreement at the upcoming United Nations Climate Negotiations in Paris. Although we are optimistic that world leaders will reach an agreement to secure a transition to a low-carbon future, we recognize the urgent need to act now to avoid irreversible costs to our global community’s economic prosperity and public health. Today our school pledges to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy while enhancing sustainable and resilient practices across our campuses."
UB President Kurt L. Schmoke praised the action, saying: "The University of Baltimore welcomes the American Campuses Act on Climate as a great way for colleges and universities across the nation to join together as a powerful, effective force for sustainability. I believe we will look back on today's launch as an important step toward a cleaner, greener future, and UB is proud to be a part of it."
As a signatory to the pledge, the University of Baltimore is part of a robust network of hundreds of college and university presidents and chancellors who have committed their institutions to take bold and catalytic climate actions.
The University of Baltimore will:
- achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and create thresholds for increasing climate resilience;
- make carbon neutrality and climate resilience a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students;
- achieve a minimum of LEED Silver on all new campus construction and major renovation projects;
- promote alternative transportation options by actively engaging the City of Baltimore and surrounding community to invest in bike lanes, car sharing alternatives, and electric vehicle charging stations;
- utilize the Sustainable UB Facebook site to educate the campus community about the sustainability related initiatives underway, including tree plantings on campus, native plantings and landscaping improvements, recycling program statistics and reductions in the campus energy profile;
- educate students on the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems and the health of the Jones Falls, an important historic urban waterway in Baltimore, as part of the Environmental Sustainability and Human Ecology program in the Yale Gordon College of Arts and Sciences.
Learn more about UB's commitment to sustainability.