UPenn's Students & Graduation Attire go Green

At the beginning of the fall semester the University of Pennsylvania released its Climate Action Plan, in conformance with the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment pledge. UPenn is one of 600 schools who have signed the pledge calling for reductions in carbon emissions and other environmental goals.

UPenn's goal is a 5% reduction in energy consumption across the campus by 2010, including reducing power usage by 17% by 2014. UPenn's newly appointed Sustainability Coordinator, Dan Garofalo is managing this effort, in addition to major changes to UPenn's recycling programs, facilities management, and building redesign (which will be phased in over the next 30 years) and development of a sustainability curriculum.



I really like UPenn's Eco-Reps Program. This semester UPenn is training almost 30 students to hold the position of "Sustainability Ambassador." A dorm floor will be assigned a "Sustainability Ambassador" and there's even a "Sustainability Ambassador" for an Off-Campus greek house! The program is starting with 4 dorm complexes that have demonstrated an interest in the program, but intends to expand the program campus-wide.

Each week the students training to be "Sustainability Ambassadors" meet with a program coordinator so that they can learn the science behind the University's efforts, discuss strategies and goals, and exchange ideas. They're planning a big joint event for winter break -- students will pledge to “unplug, turn down or turn off” their electronics and thermostats while they’re away for break, and energy data will be compared to last year’s to see the reductions.

Dan Garofalo said “we believe motivated students who are interested in environmental issues can help their peers make better choices and decisions in their behavior as it relates to the environment."

Bios of the current "Sustainability Ambassadors" are here.

A parallel program for staff Eco-Reps is under development!

Another very cool thing - the UPenn Class of 2010 will graduate from UPenn wearing graduation caps and gowns made from 100% post-consumer recycled bottles. Since approximately 2,500 seniors will wear the gowns and caps at the graduation ceremony, and since an estimated 23 soda bottles are required to make one gown ... over 57,500 soda bottles will be recycled as a result of the Class of 2010's graduation!