Air & Climate
Introduction
Global climate change is having myriad negative impacts throughout the world, including increased frequency and potency of extreme weather events, sea level rise, species extinction, water shortages, declining agricultural production, and spread of diseases. The impacts are particularly pronounced for low-income communities and countries. In addition, institutions that inventory and take steps to reduce their air pollutant emissions can positively impact the health of the campus community, as well as the health of their local communities and regions.
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Hot Air: University Climate Action Plans and Disarticulated Federalism
Individual states and academic institutions have taken leadership on climate change policy in the United States. Without unified national policy, a patchwork of state policies fosters geographic variation among climate …
- Posted June 20, 2017
- Publications
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Climate Change Research at Universities: Addressing the Mitigation and Adaptation Challenges
This book provides a multidisciplinary review of current, climate-change research projects at universities around the globe, offering perspectives from all of the natural and social sciences.
Numerous universities worldwide pursue …
- Posted June 8, 2017
- Publications
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Put a Price on It: Bringing Higher Education into the Carbon Pricing Dialog
- Swarthmore College (PA)
- AASHE (MA)
This webinar explores the role of institutions of higher education in the emerging national carbon pricing dialog. Institutions of higher education have an immense capacity to educate a broad audience …
- Posted May 25, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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University of California Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Six: Scientists really aren't the best champions of climate science
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the sixth episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted May 25, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Reducing Carbon Emissions in a Third Level Educational Institution in Sub-Sahara Africa
- Strathmore University
The effort to reduce carbon emissions as the arguably most prevalent cause of global warming has been a positive trend in most African countries. One of the most successful strategies …
- Posted May 25, 2017
- Publications
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University of California, Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Five: The fight to rethink (and reinvent) nuclear power
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the fifth episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Swarthmore Carbon Charge Program
- Swarthmore College (PA)
Swarthmore’s Carbon Charge seeks to systematically incorporate the unfelt global impacts of our emissions into our decision-making, both individually and as a college.
The scope of the work necessary to …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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University of California, Irvine's Pump2Plug Electric Vehicle Adoption Program
- University of California, Irvine (CA)
The UCI Pump2Plug Electric Vehicle (EV) Adoption Program is widely recognized as the first university incentive programs for EV adoption through the replacement of gas-powered vehicles with electric vehicles. With …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Report of the Smith College Study Group on Climate Change
- Smith College (MA)
In this report, the Study Group on Climate Change (SGCC) presents its recommendations for climate action by Smith College. By implementing these recommendations, the college will coherently integrate climate action …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Cascadia Campus Climate Conversation (C4)
- Cascadia College (WA)
-On October 25th, 2016, the senior cohort of the Bachelors of Applied Science in Sustainable Practices (BASSP) program at Cascadia College, Bothell, WA, held the first campus dialogue to discuss …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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How Middlebury College Achieved Carbon Neutrality
- Middlebury College (VT)
This past winter, Middlebury College achieved an ambitious goal of carbon neutrality that had been officially set in 2007. When it became clear that the College’s initial of goal recommended …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions at the University of Calgary
- University of Calgary (AB)
At University of Calgary, our buildings are very large contributors to our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. With the goal of being a leading Canadian post-secondary institution in the area of …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Case Studies
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Using classroom schedule data to reduce energy consumption
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
Most Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems (HVAC) are designed to provide a ventilation based on the assumption that the rooms are fully occupied, when real occupancy is most often …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Publications
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Reducing the Nitrogen Footprint of a Small Residential College
- Dickinson College (PA)
The release of reactive nitrogen contributes to its accumulation in the environment, causing a variety of harmful effects. To measure Dickinson College’s contribution to nitrogen pollution, and quantify the potential …
- Posted May 22, 2017
- Publications
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Climate Change and the Canadian Higher Education System: An Institutional Policy Analysis
- University of Rochester (NY)
- University of Saskatchewan (SK)
Climate change is a pressing concern. Higher education can address the challenge, but systematic analyses of climate change in education policy are sparse. This paper addresses this gap in the …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Publications
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Enhancing climate change adaptation: strategies for community engagement and university-community partnerships
- Antioch University, New England (NH)
This paper discusses current opportunities for universities to partner with local governments and NGOs to support local level adaptation to climate change and a proposed ten-stage model which delineates the …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Publications
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Work-based learning as a catalyst for sustainability: a review and prospects
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the continuing dearth of scholarship about the role of work-based learning in education for sustainable development, and particularly the urgent …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Publications
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McGill Students Lobby to Create Climate Officer Position
- McGill University (QC)
In Spring 2016, Management PhD student Amir Nosrat, and other colleagues at the Post-Graduate Students' Society of McGill University, came up with the idea to create a Climate Officer position …
- Posted May 19, 2017
- Case Studies
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Stanford achieves dramatic greenhouse gas emissions reductions to surpass state, national, and international climate targets
- Stanford University (CA)
Stanford Energy System Innovations (SESI) is a new campus energy system powered by renewables, designed to meet the current and future energy needs of Stanford University in an environmentally, socially, …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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American University in Cairo 2017 Carbon Footprint Report
- American University in Cairo (Cairo)
The first step of reducing a university’s carbon footprint is measuring its current size. The 2017 Carbon Footprint Report is the 4th in the American University in Cairo’s Carbon Footprint …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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Project Green Step 2030: Catawba College Campus Solar Energy Installation
- Catawba College (NC)
Catawba College completed a solar energy project in 2016 that is projected to produce more solar electricity than all the other North Carolina colleges and universities combined. This was the …
- Posted May 18, 2017
- Case Studies
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Oregon Climate Change Research Institute
- Oregon State University (OR)
The Oregon Climate Change Research Institute is an institute underneath Oregon State’s Advancing the Science of Earth’s Ecosystems center. The institution was created by the Oregon Legislature and includes many …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Research Centers & Institutes
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University of California, Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Four: Food waste is the world's dumbest problem
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the fourth episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted May 15, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Recommendations on Campus Sustainability Development at Duke Kunshan University
- Duke University (NC)
- Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (Hong Kong)
- Duke Kunshan University (Jiangsu)
As the Sustainable Duke Office at Duke University determines the next steps on how best to integrate a satellite campus such as Duke Kunshan University (DKU) into its Climate Action …
- Posted May 11, 2017
- Publications
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The ecological footprint evaluation of low carbon campuses based on life cycle assessment: A case study of Tianjin, China
Global warming is a very serious environmental problem. Universities, the most active organizations and locations for scientific research and social activities, have a responsibility to construct low carbon campuses and …
- Posted May 11, 2017
- Publications
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CING, CSMM and the Municipality of Saint Dometios joined forces with Let’s Do it Cyprus to clean two local parks!
- The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics
The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) and its postgraduate school, the Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine (CSMM) together with the local Municipal Council of Saint Dometios in Nicosia, …
- Posted May 9, 2017
- Photographs
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A comparative analysis of the anti-Apartheid and fossil fuel divestment campaigns
- University of Waterloo (ON)
Divestment from the fossil fuel industry is campaigned as a means to address carbon-induced anthropogenic climate change, much like the anti-Apartheid divestment movement that was campaigned as a mean to …
- Posted May 8, 2017
- Publications
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Fossil fuel divestment: implications for the future of sustainability discourse and action within higher education
- Salem State University (MA)
This paper provides a critical overview and analysis of the student-led fossil fuel divestment (FFD) movement and its impact on sustainability discourse and actions within US higher education. Analysing higher …
- Posted May 8, 2017
- Publications
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A framework for collaborative climate change research
- Colgate University (NY)
There is a growing understanding in the scientific community that the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of indigenous peoples and other local communities is both different from data collected by scientists …
- Posted May 5, 2017
- Publications
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Scholarly motivations to conduct interdisciplinary climate change research
- University of Massachusetts Amherst (MA)
- Northern Illinois University (IL)
- University of Pennsylvania (PA)
- Boston University (MA)
- Whitman College (WA)
- Idaho State University (ID)
Understanding and responding to today’s complex environmental problems requires collaboration that bridges disciplinary boundaries. As the barriers to interdisciplinary research are formidable, promoting interdisciplinary environmental research requires understanding what motivates …
- Posted May 5, 2017
- Publications
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Catholic Universities and Social Action in the Context of the Transgressing of Planetary Boundaries
- Creighton University (NE)
This paper will reflect upon Catholic universities’ mission of pursuing the truth and promoting justice in light of the ecological crisis. First, it will examine how the truth of our …
- Posted May 4, 2017
- Publications
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University of California Climate Lab, Video Series Episode Two: Going green shouldn't be this hard
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
This is the second episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Xiuhtezcatl Martinez at DePauw University
- DePauw University (IN)
At DePauw, Xiuhtezcatl Martinez met with a small group of student leaders for a lunch discussion and inspired an audience of more than 100 at Peeler Auditorium in the evening. …
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Photographs
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Evergreen Fest 2017: Science and Climate Change Festival at Loyola University Maryland
- Loyola University Maryland (MD)
Loyola University Maryland's Environmental Action Club hosts a full day of teach-in style presentations and interactive activities to celebrate the Earth with ACTION! The day was filled with opportunities to …
- Posted April 28, 2017
- Photographs
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Gina McCarthy heads to the "Beach"
- Harvard University (MA)
Former Administrator of the EPA, Gina McCarthy, trys out a virtual reality project entitled "Beach," created by Harvard Graduate School of Design students at the Harvard Sustainability Showcase. "Beach" is …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Earth Fest 2017 celebrates Space, Energy, and Water
- University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (TX)
EDINBURG & BROWNSVILLE, TEXAS—APRIL 19-20, 2017-- This year’s Earth Fest theme is Space, Energy, and Water, featuring three guest speakers, an Exhibitor Expo, and a Dinner & Movie night—each on …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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Earth Day Festival and Speaker Series!
- Western Washington University (WA)
The AS Environmental Center hosted it's annual Earth Day Festival and Speaker Series on Friday and Saturday April 21st and 22nd. The Friday event was a tabling event in which …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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March for Science
- Berea College (KY)
Members of Berea College and the Office of Sustainability traveled to Lexington, KY for the March for Science on Earth Day, April 22, 2017.
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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Art Inspired by Climate Science Data
- Northwestern University (IL)
Art exhibits on display on Northwestern's Chicago and Evanston campuses during April featured art inspired by the science of climate change. The works by artist and Northwestern Pritzker School of …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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Carbon Neutral Green Basketball Game Tree Planting
- Berea College (KY)
Each year, the Berea College Office of Sustainability hosts a Carbon Neutral Green Basketball Game. Carbon emissions are tallied from the use of the gym for the game and for …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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Central Community College Hastings Wind Turbine Tour
- Central Community College (NE)
Students, staff, and community members enjoyed a presentation on the new 1.7 MW wind turbine at Central Community College Hastings from the Bluestem Energy Solutions project manager.
Also at Central …
- Posted April 27, 2017
- Photographs
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Not Business as Usual: Fostering Civic Engagement on Climate Change
- The University of Texas at Dallas (TX)
Attendees will engage in a discussion of what it means to them to civically engage through building consensus, seeking common ground, and moving towards climate solutions in a non-partisan way. …
- Posted April 26, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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The Deceptive Metric
- Kirksey Architecture (TX)
- This presentation will outline limitations that abound metrics like Energy Use Intensity and Noise Levels.
- Audience will understand how building codes can be leveraged to inform Sustainability Master Plans.
- This …
- Posted April 25, 2017
- Conference Presentations
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RMIT University Climate Risk Assessment
- RMIT University
This report details the process and findings from the first climate risk assessment carried out for RMIT University, with a primary focus on the Melbourne City campus. The analysis considered …
- Posted April 24, 2017
- Publications
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University of California Climate Lab, Video Series Episode One: Why humans are so bad at thinking about climate change
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
- University of California, Los Angeles (CA)
This is the first episode of Climate Lab, a six-part series produced by the University of California in partnership with Vox. Hosted by Emmy-nominated conservation scientist Dr. M. Sanjayan, the …
- Posted April 24, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
- View more
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez; 16-year-old indigenous Climate Activist
- Georgia College & State University (GA)
Georgia College's Sustainability Fee Program will be hosting Xiuhtezcatl Martinez at the 2017 Sustainability Fee Program Symposium on April 20, 2017 at 5pm on Front Campus.
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez is a …
- Posted April 11, 2017
- Photographs
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How to Reduce Your School's Carbon Footprint – For Free!
- University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
- AASHE (MA)
- TerraPass (CA)
UCapture offsets users’ carbon footprint, for free, when they shop with 2000+ partners. Their platform harnesses the power of consumers to build the “cost of carbon” into every transaction – …
- Posted April 3, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Green Gigawatt Partnership: Reinventing Renewable Power Purchase Agreements for Higher Education
- AASHE (MA)
- Edison Energy (CA)
The higher education renewable energy market has grown dramatically in recent years as campus buyers have executed power purchase agreements (PPAs). But for all of the successes, two substantial obstacles …
- Posted March 30, 2017
- Videos & Webinars
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Large-Scale Renewables: The Next Chapter in Higher Education Sustainability Leadership
- Second Nature (MA)
- Coho Climate Advisors (MD)
Higher education is uniquely positioned to both expand and benefit from climate leadership. Many universities and colleges have substantially stepped up their commitments and efforts to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG). …
- Posted March 14, 2017
- Publications
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
OP 1: Emissions Inventory & Disclosure
- Description of the methodology and/or tool used to complete the GHG emissions inventory
- GHG emissions inventory (upload)
- Brief description of the GHG inventory verification process
- Brief description of the methodology for completing an air emissions inventory
OP 2: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per weighted campus user, performance year
- Adjusted net Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions per unit of EUI-adjusted floor area, performance year
- A brief description of the institution’s GHG emissions reduction initiatives
- Website URL where information about the institution's GHG emissions is available
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.