Last Thursday, President John B. Simpson defined UB's place in the global warming debate by signing the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment, a coalition binding 133 universities to take action to protect and benefit the environment.
UB has been environmentally engaged in the past and the agreement is a national effort that might ensure that the university continues thinking "green," according to Simpson.
"We are proud of Buffalo's strong environmental legacy, but we are not satisfied with resting on our past accomplishments," he said.
The climate commitment calls for UB to reduce emissions in greenhouse gases and will eventually lead to a state where the university's effect on the environment is considered "neutral." The document also calls for these environmental topics to be apart of educational curriculum.
Simpson said that he encourages students to educate themselves about their energy surroundings.
"This is one of the fundamental considerations that we keep in mind as we think about what we want UB to be like in the future," Simpson said.
Simpson said that climate neutrality would be kept in mind while making changes for UB 2020, the university's plan to increase student enrollment and faculty by 40 percent. He emphasized that UB's growth should not and will not result in destructive environmental practices.
"Just as the university has addressed itself in the UB 2020 strategic plan to the academic issues that are the most pressing in the scholarly, scientific and creative worlds," he said. "We will also address ourselves strategically to the pressing global problem of climate change."
The president also said that the signing of the document is simply an announcement of UB's goal to be more environmentally responsible by using resources more efficiently.
"Signing one document does nothing - it's an expression on intent. Intent is not the same thing as accomplishment," Simpson said. "Just by virtue of that long term process, we have to take up issues such as energy utilization."
Students can change their own behavior to assist UB in its goal to reduce energy usage by turning off unused lights, using air conditioners less and by using the many accessible public transportation options.
"It's a darn sure thing that energy isn't going to get cheaper... this is an issue (students) have to concern themselves with," Simpson said. "It's in our interest to think carefully about how we deal with energy."
About three percent of the universities in the country have signed the President's Climate Commitment.
"Communities that colleges are found in... pay great attention to the example that universities set," he said. "Any university president wants to be very careful about what kinds of use they make of that leadership position."
Students and faculty alike should take pride in UB's ability to lead the way on environmental policies such as this one, according to Simpson. He believes that it is in our nature to guide others towards green strategies and climate neutrality.
"We have a very strong history dealing with these kinds of issues," he said. "So in a sense it's very natural for us to make a broader statement about what we're doing."
The beginning stages for a heightened state of environmental awareness have begun with the signing of the climate commitment. Simpson wants UB to consider the long-term effects of our actions rather than considering only immediate matters.
"(We're) trying to take a long term view of what we're doing," Simpson said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
