Piglets at Beech Hill Farm, one of COA's two organic farms that provide produce and meat to t...Piglets at Beech Hill Farm, one of COA's two organic farms that provide produce and meat to the dining programs on campus and surrounding community.

In the wake of irreversible damage that climate change has already done to the planet, many learning institutions recognize the need for sustainability and have gotten on board to do their part. There are now an abundance of degree programs and courses teaching sustainable architecture, economics, public policy, sociology, agriculture and lots of other interdisciplinary fields incorporating sustainability. Besides having more sustainability-focused curricula, many colleges have begun implementing simple innovative practices to make their campuses more eco-friendly, like growing vegetable gardens to reduce the carbon emissions from food transportation, or using more sustainable building structures, like natural ventilation or energy-efficient lighting. But some universities have gone further. These schools, the greenest campuses in the US, have made formidable, impressive changes to turn their campuses into efficient and cost-effective sustainable systems.

COA became the first carbon-neutral college in 2007. With its energy-efficient buildings, its off-campus organic farms, and its recycling and composting program, the College of the Atlantic is unquestionably one of the most environmentally committed campuses in the country. COA also offers a solar charger that is free for the public to use.

Read More…