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EDITORIAL: Leaders on the Environment
Editorial | 9/25/07
Posted online at 9:27 PM EST on 9/24/07
/ Last updated at 1:15 AM EST on 9/24/07
The daily threats global warming poses to the planet are enough to make anyone sweat. Last Wednesday, University President Jehuda Reinharz signed a letter pledging to implement a University wide plan to reduce our global warming emissions, and we thank him for taking this initiative.
The national petition being circulated among university presidents calls for developing an "institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral" within two years, documenting the University's greenhouse gas emissions, building with environmental considerations in mind and only purchasing items that meet the standards of Energy Star, a government agency that produces energy- efficient products.
We are eager to hear from President Reinharz on this plan and hope the administration launches a speaker series for the public on how Brandeis' practices can improve.
Already, the University's steps to be more environmentally conscious are laudable. In spring 2005, Brandeis allocated $1.6 million to improving the efficiency of electricity and natural gas use by upgrading building heating, ventilating, cooling and electrical system controls. Awareness of environmental issues is reaching the classroom as well. Environmental Studies became a major this year and an American Studies course last fall gave students the chance to take a hands-on approach to campus environmental projects.
This is a start, but there is much more to be done.
We should strive for green standards on all of our upcoming projects and should follow Harvard University's lead-their new Allston Science complex produces half the greenhouse gases that environmental standards permit-and make sure the new science complex is as environmentally sound as possible. By staying environmentally conscious in all our campus projects while simultaneously working with environmental campus clubs, we can become a leader in raising awareness about our surroundings.
The national petition being circulated among university presidents calls for developing an "institutional action plan for becoming climate neutral" within two years, documenting the University's greenhouse gas emissions, building with environmental considerations in mind and only purchasing items that meet the standards of Energy Star, a government agency that produces energy- efficient products.
We are eager to hear from President Reinharz on this plan and hope the administration launches a speaker series for the public on how Brandeis' practices can improve.
Already, the University's steps to be more environmentally conscious are laudable. In spring 2005, Brandeis allocated $1.6 million to improving the efficiency of electricity and natural gas use by upgrading building heating, ventilating, cooling and electrical system controls. Awareness of environmental issues is reaching the classroom as well. Environmental Studies became a major this year and an American Studies course last fall gave students the chance to take a hands-on approach to campus environmental projects.
This is a start, but there is much more to be done.
We should strive for green standards on all of our upcoming projects and should follow Harvard University's lead-their new Allston Science complex produces half the greenhouse gases that environmental standards permit-and make sure the new science complex is as environmentally sound as possible. By staying environmentally conscious in all our campus projects while simultaneously working with environmental campus clubs, we can become a leader in raising awareness about our surroundings.
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