Submitted on September 15, 2009; last updated on November 6, 2009
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Brandeis signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) in 2007. It is a bold public statement of Brandeis University's desire to not only educate a generation of sustainability minded leaders, but to take steps to reduce the climate change impact of university operations. As part of the obligation to this commitment, a Climate Action Plan is required to guide progress towards climate neutrality. Included in the Brandeis Climate Action Plan are goals and a timeline for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To determine the reduction goals, an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions was conducted for 2005-2008. Mitigation strategies were then chosen to address the major sources of emissions. Tactical recommendations are made for each mitigation strategy and accompanying educational efforts. Specific tactics, however, will be a work in process, with frequent community input and flexibility to respond to changing technologies and funding realities. Tactics were recommended for the Short Term (2010-2015) that are cost neutral or have short payback cy¬cles. Tactics that may involve greater capital expenditures are discussed for inclusion in Mid Term (2016-2020) and Long Term (2020-2050) plans. The Short Term reduction goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2015 to 15% below the 2008 level of greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving this goal will be dependent upon the availability of funding sources. The Short Term goals are consistent with peer institutions and are significant milestones in reaching climate neutrality by 2050. See the Brandeis University Climate Action Plan document for more details.
1. Brandeis Forum on Environmental Crisis Events & Website: A group of faculty and staff have convened this year to create increased academic collaboration on climate change. The Forum will invite speakers to campus for public lectures and small brown bag lunches. An interactive website presence is being created, which will highlight campus research and sustainability activities both to increase collaboration on campus and share relevant information with a general audience. 2. Integrate Sustainability Education into regular courses: Faculty can integrate sustainability examples into their existing courses. Using real life examples can increase student engagement and learning. In 2009-2010, the Campus Sustainability Initiative will work with the faculty in various programs and departments to encourage reflection on this topic within their existing courses through the Brandeis Forum on Environmental Crisis Events & Website, and possible workshops. 3. First Year Reading: The books chosen for the First Year Summer Reading Project could be selected with environmental and climate themes. 4. Student Life: Students in formal classroom settings and through extra-curricular activities have been very involved in developing climate change efforts. Section 4. A. 4 has more discussion of behavioral change activities. 5. Sustainability Graduation Requirement: The short-term goals call for increasing voluntary offerings, while building institutional capacity on climate change issues. Deliberation by faculty about making climate neutrality and sustainability a part of the curriculum and other educational experiences for all students should occur by 2015. There are many options for covering the basics of climate change and other environmental issues, including internships, Justice Brandeis Semesters, and International Summer Seminars, all of which could include some practical activity designed to further sustainability on campus, in the surrounding community, or in the world. Faculty may also choose to incorporate examples, texts and theory about climate change into various majors and courses
1. Celebrate Research Offerings: Research activities relevant to climate change will be highlighted on the Brandeis Forum on Environmental Crisis website, as well as in campus publications. A research forum will be held by 2012 to honor student and faculty research on climate change. 2. Connect Research to Campus: We will work to connect research initiatives to the challenges faced in the operations components of the climate action plan. The Campus Sustainability Initiative will engage social scientists in communications studies and efforts. 3. Expand Research Offerings (Mid Term): Academic research topics relevant to climate change mitigation and adaptation will be expanded above 2009 levels. This goal will be accelerated with additional external grant support.
1. Community Outreach: Many of the activities mentioned above would be open to the public and student internships are often with local groups. In addition, the Campus Sustainability Coordinator is serving on the City of Walthams Energy Committee to share information on mitigation strategies.
