Stony Brook University Commits to Fighting Global Warming

STONY BROOK, NY - Within the last three months, Stony Brook University President Shirley Strum Kenny made a commitment to promoting environmental and ecological sustainability by signing both the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) and the Talloires Declaration.

The ACUPCC is an effort to address global warming by drawing institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and to foster research and educational efforts on climate change. As part of the Commitment, Stony Brook University has joined with leaders of 448 colleges and universities nationwide and seven SUNY campuses.

"Stony Brook University is honored to have the opportunity to join with other colleges and universities across the country in working to overcome this challenge by implementing and promoting innovative strategies and solutions throughout our campuses," Said Kenny.

ACUPCC's suggested actions to reduce greenhouse gases include: adopting an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy, encouraging the use of and providing access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors, purchasing or producing at least 15% of electricity consumption from renewable sources, and participating in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition.

On December 7, Stony Brook also joined over 350 university presidents and chancellors in over 40 countries when President Kenny signed the Talloires Declaration at SB Southampton. The declaration consists of a ten-point action plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach at colleges and universities.

President Kenny and Southampton Interim Dean Martin Schoonen discussed plans to make new buildings on campus LEED certified with "green" architecture, and new library that will include the use of geothermal energy to keep it warm in the winter and cooler in the summer. The initiative will also include students in innovative recycling, wastewater and even agricultural programs on campus.

In addition, Stony Brook and a number of other SUNY colleges and universities have committed to reducing the greenhouse gases emitted from their operations by 80 percent by the year 2050, with an eventual goal of zero greenhouse gas emissions.

Fortunately, Stony Brook's efforts towards promoting environmental sustainability have not gone unnoticed. On the same day that the Talloires Declaration was signed, the SUNY Office of University Life announced Stony Brook as one of the recipients of the 2007 Outstanding Student Affairs Awards for its "EarthStock" program series, a program designed to raise awareness and help provide solutions for climate change and global warming.

The award recognizes and encourages outstanding educational programs that engage students and have a positive impact on campus life. EarthStock approaches programming in an interdisciplinary way using various mediums such as panel presentations, film screenings, a debate, concerts, student musicals and dance performances, a symposium, and exhibitions of student research on the environment to promote discussion of environmental sustainability and celebrate local and regional accomplishments already achieved.

Started as a grassroots effort by students and staff to celebrate Earth Day in 2002, EarthStock has grown into a weeklong multidisciplinary program featuring 32 departments from across the campus. It is now one of the largest programs of its kind on Long Island, across SUNY and in New York State and in the United States. This year's award-winning program, "Sustainability-The Future Is Now!", extended beyond the campus by involving more than 75 environmental organizations, participants with an earth-friendly message, and local schools. EarthStock 2008 is scheduled for Monday, April 14 - Friday, April 18.

Stony Brook was selected from more than 40 entries for the award. Other recognized programs were: Binghamton University 's New Student/First Year Discovery Assistance Program; University at Albany 's late-night programming initiative "Danes After Dark"; "Tolerance Week," a diversity and multicultural program at the Fashion Institute of Technology; and the Promoting Engagement in Student Organizations program at SUNY Potsdam.

Pictured Above: Stony Brook University President Shirley Strum Kenny signs the Talloires Declaration on Friday at Stony Brook Southampton (Marylou Stewart)