Syracuse University chancellor signs pledge to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University joined more than 70 other schools in a commitment to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions when Chancellor Nancy Cantor signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment during spring break. \nAs global warming and greenhouse gases continue to be the subject of national debate, Cantor pledged to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions at Syracuse and take a leadership role in the surrounding Syracuse area with the signing. The commitment encourages colleges and universities to step into the leadership role in their communities to address global warming. \n“This puts us very visibly and vocally out there,” Cantor said. “This is one of the most pressing issues for our world today.” \nThe university will first identify and reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. The initiative involves completing an emissions inventory, setting a date by which the university hopes to accomplish its tasks, taking short- and long-term steps to reduce emissions and providing more education on sustainability. \nAn emissions inventory involves calculating the output of appliances, electricity and transportation that the university uses on and off campus, said Richard Smardon, chair of environmental studies at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. \nBy signing the commitment, Syracuse is setting a “standard for other large consumers of energy to do the same,” said Dana Hill of the New York Public Interest Research Group.\nHill said this is especially important because Syracuse is such a large consumer in its city and a leader in the community. \nCantor said she sees the commitment as very appropriate for her to sign because the university has already taken steps to prevent global warming. Twenty percent of the university’s energy comes from sustainable and renewable sources. Syracuse is also involved with the Syracuse Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems, which works with renewable energy, water resources and indoor environmental quality. \nFor Syracuse students, the commitment will bring more education on sustainability, possibly including more examples of programs on recycling and other issues, as well as more degrees and information in the university’s curriculum. \nLouis Marcoccia, the school’s executive vice president and chief financial officer, said possibly the biggest part of this commitment for students is the beginning of discussions on how to sustain campus and what students can do themselves.