LaGrange College joins higher education leaders to fight global warming

LaGrange, Ga. – LaGrange College President Stuart Gulley today joined more than 250 other college and university presidents in formally committing to reduce and eventually eliminate all of the college's global warming emissions.

The pledge, known as the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment, was publicly unveiled at a summit of higher education leaders in Washington, D.C.

“Global warming is a defining challenge of our time,” Dr. Gulley said. “Working together, humans have the capacity to solve the problem by taking action to stop adding global warming pollution to the atmosphere. LaGrange College is committed to leading the way.”

The college will create a comprehensive institutional action plan to move toward climate neutrality. These efforts will build on its ongoing commitment to sustainability, which include installing environmentally friendly heating and air conditioning units and lighting, pursuing energy reduction efforts through technology and other means, examining green standards for future buildings, and encouraging lifestyle changes through personal education.

The Presidents Climate Commitment is the first such effort by any major sector of society to set climate neutrality – not just a reduction – as its target. This undertaking by America's colleges and universities is inspired by efforts like the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, the U.S. Climate Action Partnership and other collective efforts by states and businesses.

“Colleges and universities must lead the effort to reverse global warming for the health and well-being of current and future generations,” said Michael Crow, President of Arizona State University and chair of the ACUPCC Steering Committee. “On behalf of all the signatories, I welcome Dr. Gulley to the commitment. We are honored and pleased to have him join us.”

The American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate. Under the guidance and direction of university presidents, the Commitment is being supported and implemented by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Second Nature, and ecoAmerica.

More information can be found at www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org.