A group of activists, including College of the Atlantic students, share their message at the United Nations 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris, 2015.A group of activists, including College of the Atlantic students, share their message at the United Nations 21st Conference of the Parties in Paris, 2015.

President Trump may have decided to remove the U.S. from the 194-nation Paris Climate Agreement, but on our campus – and on many others across the nation – we’ll be working harder than ever to advance energy sustainability.

It’s true that college campuses themselves have a relatively modest carbon footprint compared to businesses or cities.

However, we have both a special responsibility, because of our nonprofit stature, philanthropic support and influence on the next generation’s education, and a definite advantage, because of our mission and structure, to be powerful laboratories of public good where energy sustainability is concerned — through both teaching and research.

At College of the Atlantic we are proud to be among more than 300 colleges and universities that have joined with over 1,000 cities, states, businesses, and investors in signing the “We Are Still In” statement pledging to sustain and expand efforts to mitigate climate change.

Working with our faculty, students, and local partners we can make progress – despite what happens in Washington – if we remain committed to entrepreneurship, creativity, and cooperation.

Read more…