A new report released by the National Wildlife Federation shows that the sustainability movement is energizing college campuses across the nation.
“Generation E-Students Leading for a Sustainable, Clean Energy Future” documents the energy and excitement college campuses are showing about the sustainability movement, according to Julian Keniry.
Keniry, the senior director of the Campus Ecology Program at the National Wildlife Federation, said “Generation E, ” a term first used by New York Times blogger Andy Revkin, stands for the ideas of ecology, sustainable economics and social equity.
During a teleconference, she joined Scott Carlson, a senior reporter for the Chronicle of Higher Education, as well as three college students active in sustainability movements at their campuses.
The students included Adam Yarnell, of Brown University, Ayodele Akinpelu, of Wayne State University, and Jason Sanders, of Texas State University.
Akinpelu said cooperation with local organizations and companies is important when running a sustainability program. He wrote in an e-mail that he started the Forest Justice program at his university, which has worked to incorporate recycling in 80 percent of campus buildings.
Yarnell said students are motivated to participate in his community program, which is designed to help reduce carbon usage by installing thermostats in low-income homes.
“What’s sometimes lacking is either the training or the professional knowledge,” Yarnell said.
Yarnell said he relies on professionals such as contractors and architects to help with the program, which brings people from different walks of life together. The work involved in sustainability initiatives pays off, he said.
“As long as you put in the time, you put in the effort, you will see results,” Yarnell said.
