78 percent of the colleges and universities that signed up for the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment are in good standing, meaning they are meeting their deadlines to submit plans and timelines for achieving “climate neutrality.”  The initiative began after a coalition of environmental student organizations lobbied their universities to take action against global warming as part of their “campus climate challenge.” Since its Feb. 2007 inception, 637 schools signed the Climate Commitment to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, carbon footprints, energy costs and use more alternative sources of energy such as wind and solar power.

Schools have until Sept. 15 to submit their timelines for achieving “climate neutrality” as part of the voluntary commitment, but some colleges are hitting roadblocks due to the recession such as hiring freezes and budget cuts.  Despite that setback, some administrators believe the current economic climate will ultimately help, not hinder, making campuses climate neutral.  Jeremiah Dumas, director of the Environmental Collaborative Office at Mississippi State University, said the current economic climate could be helpful for universities facing budget cuts to make their environmental plans more efficient and effective with less funding.  Signee Ball State estimates they will save $2 million in energy costs and also cut its carbon dioxide emissions by 50 percent through the installation of the country’s largest geothermal heat pump system.
 
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