The National Wildlife Federation today issued its widely anticipated “Generation E” report which included the University of North Dakota among a list of schools leading the charge toward a greener, more sustainable future. United Tribes Technical College was the only other North Dakota school to make the list.

The report—“Generation E: Students Leading for  a Sustainable, Clean Energy Future” (Gen E)—highlights the unique and critical role that college students are playing in developing sustainability programs that lower their campus’ carbon footprint.

“It is clear that the entire campus—faculty, staff, students and administrators—must  be involved in helping the University move along the path to climate neutrality,” said UND President Robert Kelley in recent letter to the campus about UND’s green initiatives. “In fact, it is critical. While some expensive changes could make a big difference in reducing the campus’ carbon footprint, many modest and inexpensive changes in individual behaviors help to move the University in the right direction.”

Kelley initiated the UND Council on Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability and encourages student participation in the group at all levels. Students helped the Council make a first, critical step: a campuswide greenhouse gas inventory was performed by  the Earth System Science and Policy (ESSP) 501 class. The class also developed the methodology and protocol that will be used in future inventories. 

Gen E was conceptualized as a richly illustrated “idea-book,” or guide, that showcases an array of project possibilities, encouraging students, faculty,  and staff to engage with their campus and community in ways that make real reductions in their school’s carbon footprint and also foster the technical and intellectual skills needed in the future green economy.

“We’ve never before seen this extraordinary degree of student engagement and creativity around sustainability at every level,” said Julian Keniry, Senior Director of Campus and Community Leadership, for National Wildlife Federation.  “Our findings demolish the myth that students are apathetic or sitting on the sidelines,” Keniry said.

Report topics range from renewable energy and conservation to dorm move-out programs from campus food systems to wildlife habitat restoration.

Useful links:
UND Energy and Sustainability web site: www.und.edu/dept/facilities/energy/Energy.htm
UND Green and Clean page: www.und.edu/greenandclean/
National Wildlife Federation Gen E site:
www.nwf.org/campusEcology/resources/HTML/generation_e_report.cfm

--30--

Contacts
Julian Keniry, senior director of campus and community leadership
National Wildlife Federation
571-226-0149
Keniry@nwf.org
 
Juan Miguel Pedraza
UND Office of University Relations
701-777-6571 office 701-740-1321 cell
juanpedraza@mail.und.edu