Students at the University of Pennsylvania can now participate in an Eco-Reps program, educating their peers in dorms about their energy consumption and sustainability practices. Similar programs already exist at colleges and universities all around the country, many as part of a Climate Action Plan they created in accordance with the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Pledge.

Every floor of Penn’s four different campus housing buildings will have one of about 30 Eco-Reps. Their responsibilities will include stewarding environmental and recycling issues, and working on policies related to energy use.
 
600 universities and colleges across the country have pledged environmental support with the ACUPCC. The plans must state both carbon emissions reduction and environmental goals.

According to their Climate Action Plan, University officials claimed they would be seeking a 5 percent reduction in energy consumption on campus by 2010, as well as a 17 percent reduction in power usage by 2014.


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