by Aimee Dingwell

FIU is officially moving closer to becoming a “climate neutral” university. Last May, President Modesto A. Maidique signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment agreement, joining more than 500 other universities and colleges that are pledging to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse emissions over time. Ultimately, the goal is to set and meet a target date for the university to become completely climate neutral, a goal that will positively impact the whole FIU community, including staff, students and faculty.  “As a university, we have a social responsibility that we intend to uphold,” says FIU President Modesto A. Maidique. “Our institution can have an impact, not only by achieving sustainability on campus but by addressing significant environmental issues through research and the education of our students.” Signatories pledge to eliminate their campuses’ greenhouse gas emissions over time. This involves:

• Completing an emissions inventory
• Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral
• Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions
• Integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience
• Making the action plan, inventory and progress reports available publicly

 President Maidique created the Presidents Climate Commitment Task Force to oversee implementation of the agreement and to guide the university’s sustainability efforts. Currently, the task force is working on completing the comprehensive inventory of all of FIU’s greenhouse gas emissions, including emissions from electricity, heating, commuting and air travel. As is recommended by the Presidents Climate Commitment agreement, FIU is using in-house expertise of faculty and graduate students to conduct the study.  After establishing a baseline study, the task force will then initiate at least two tangible actions to reduce greenhouse gases within the next 18 months. Concurrently, the task force must develop a comprehensive plan – including a timeline and target date – for becoming climate neutral.  According to Charles Scurr, associate vice president of Real Estate Development and Planning and task force chairperson, the university isn’t waiting for completion of the greenhouse gas emissions inventory to begin implementing initiatives that will impact FIU’s emissions. He points to the new shuttle buses purchased by the university that run on biodiesel fuel as one such example.  “Additionally, the appliances in the new Graduate Business Building are all Energy Star and we’re recommending that we purchase only Energy Star appliances whenever possible across the university,” he says. “In the next few months, we’ll also be implementing an online, ride-sharing program. I’m also pleased to report that the construction of the nursing building will be ‘green.’ Everyone I’ve spoken to is extremely committed to the ideals of the agreement.”  Jose Rodriguez, director of Operations Analysis in Real Estate Development and Planning and a member of the task force, points out that the agreement is much more than a temporary focus on one aspect of university operations, saying, “It impacts the curriculum, our way of life, our quality of life, even the residential areas surrounding us.”  Other Florida universities that have signed the agreement include Eckerd College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida Gulf Coast University, New College of Florida, Stetson University, University of Central Florida, University of Florida and the University of Miami. Links American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment Agreement www.presidentsclimatecommittment.org