“Are we doing enough?”
… is not the right question. Combating climate change isn’t about hitting a quota or fulfilling an obligation; every tenth of a degree of warming will make a life-changing difference to someone in Penn State’s global community, so instead we should be asking ourselves:
“Are we doing the best we can?”
The Penn State community includes thousands of members spanning the entire globe. We have the world’s finest facilities and technologies, and our community includes leading experts in practically every field of study. We don’t need to decrease our impact; instead we have the ability to increase our impact by doing more good for the world and for our own community.
Imagine that every student in every major feels prepared by their education for the changing world that they will live in. Students learn practical solutions to the challenges presented by a changing environment. They foster human connection through art and writing that teaches and inspires people around the world. They craft better policies for business and government to promote greener choices.
Imagine that this education extends into each students’ personal life. Green citizenship is taught in a sustainability general education class, and life on campus is next to zero-waste. Items in the on-campus markets are sold without any disposable packaging, tailgates leave the lots cleaner than they started, and waste is upcycled and recycled wherever possible. Imagine a student body that is passionate about fresh air, clean water, and a healthy planet. Everyone contributes their own unique talents and ideas to the discussion. Earth Day is a major event on everyone’s calendar—celebrated with the same enthusiasm and dedication as THON and the White-Out game.
Imagine that the university’s own emissions are near-zero, with plans to sequester more carbon than we emit just a few years down the line. The campus’s energy infrastructure is continuously improved under the guidance of the experts within our community. University Park has closed its last remaining gas plant, and solar panels and turbines can be seen around any Penn State campus—both a reminder of our commitment and a source of clean energy.
Imagine a Penn State that is proud of the way we impact our planet. The university publishes and advertises reports on its own emissions and investments, and is happy to do so. And why shouldn’t it? These reports confirm the university as a world-class sustainable institution, and its investments demonstrate the values of responsibility and care that are at the heart of our community.
Finally, imagine how it feels to be a member of this community. Personal feelings of helplessness or guilt are replaced with confidence and pride. We are all assured in our preparation and in one another. Everyone at Penn State knows the answer to this question:
“Are we doing the best we can?”
“We are.”
… is not the right question. Combating climate change isn’t about hitting a quota or fulfilling an obligation; every tenth of a degree of warming will make a life-changing difference to someone in Penn State’s global community, so instead we should be asking ourselves:
“Are we doing the best we can?”
The Penn State community includes thousands of members spanning the entire globe. We have the world’s finest facilities and technologies, and our community includes leading experts in practically every field of study. We don’t need to decrease our impact; instead we have the ability to increase our impact by doing more good for the world and for our own community.
Imagine that every student in every major feels prepared by their education for the changing world that they will live in. Students learn practical solutions to the challenges presented by a changing environment. They foster human connection through art and writing that teaches and inspires people around the world. They craft better policies for business and government to promote greener choices.
Imagine that this education extends into each students’ personal life. Green citizenship is taught in a sustainability general education class, and life on campus is next to zero-waste. Items in the on-campus markets are sold without any disposable packaging, tailgates leave the lots cleaner than they started, and waste is upcycled and recycled wherever possible. Imagine a student body that is passionate about fresh air, clean water, and a healthy planet. Everyone contributes their own unique talents and ideas to the discussion. Earth Day is a major event on everyone’s calendar—celebrated with the same enthusiasm and dedication as THON and the White-Out game.
Imagine that the university’s own emissions are near-zero, with plans to sequester more carbon than we emit just a few years down the line. The campus’s energy infrastructure is continuously improved under the guidance of the experts within our community. University Park has closed its last remaining gas plant, and solar panels and turbines can be seen around any Penn State campus—both a reminder of our commitment and a source of clean energy.
Imagine a Penn State that is proud of the way we impact our planet. The university publishes and advertises reports on its own emissions and investments, and is happy to do so. And why shouldn’t it? These reports confirm the university as a world-class sustainable institution, and its investments demonstrate the values of responsibility and care that are at the heart of our community.
Finally, imagine how it feels to be a member of this community. Personal feelings of helplessness or guilt are replaced with confidence and pride. We are all assured in our preparation and in one another. Everyone at Penn State knows the answer to this question:
“Are we doing the best we can?”
“We are.”