News & Events

January 26, 2007

CONTACT:

Carl Young, Interim Director of Communications
425.352.8256
cyoung@cascadia.edu

Cascadia Community College Joins College and University Climate Commitment

Bothell, WA - Cascadia Community College recently joined a national initiative to achieve "climate neutrality" in the operation of the college. Dr. Bill Christopher, president of Cascadia, signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment and joined its Leadership Circle. Success in meeting the organization’s goals will place colleges and universities in the vanguard of institutions reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

"I am enthusiastic about making this commitment, which I recognize will require continued innovation on our campus," said Dr. Christopher. "This commitment to sustainable practices demonstrates to our community and our students that by taking local initiative and personal responsibility for addressing global issues, we can make a difference."

The Presidents Climate Commitment has attracted more than 70 signatories from small colleges to large universities such as the University of Pennsylvania, Arizona State University, and the University of Florida, with more than 50,000 students. The goal is to respond to global climate change and resource-related issues. The Commitment sets challenging goals to curb greenhouse gas emissions and requires immediate steps to institutionalize climate considerations into campus decisions, and to "complete a comprehensive inventory of all greenhouse gas emissions."

Several intermediate actions to reduce greenhouse gases have already been taken by Cascadia, including the adoption of a U.S. Green Building Council LEED Silver standard goal for the construction of the new campus instructional building, anticipated to get underway in the fall.

"We are already a leader in energy conservation and waste reduction," said Dee Sliney, Director of Auxiliary Services and Capital Projects. "Joining the Climate Commitment is an opportunity to move beyond our current accomplishments to the next level of emission reduction."

As examples of completed projects, she cites a change from automatic to manual flush toilets which produced significant water savings; new, more energy efficient and environmentally friendly light fixtures in the campus parking garages; a pilot program installing waterless urinals; and on-going efforts to engage students and staff in recycling activities. The campus manages a 58-acre restored wetland, one of the largest such projects in the state.

The Leadership Circle of the Presidents Climate Commitment will meet in Washington, DC, in June to plan activities and events to implement the group’s goals and to recruit other colleges and universities to join the effort.

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