Changes of the magnitude necessary to create an effective response to global warming call for more than incremental adjustments in policy. They will require a transformation of our economy and our infrastructure in creative and positive ways that will fuel our economic growth, protect our communities and the quality of life we cherish, and allow our civilization to flourish.

Many of the technologies and tools for achieving climate neutrality already exist or in development. Now, all of us at America’s higher education institutions need to put these pieces together in a way that creates a new foundation for growth, prosperity and peace.

By creating and implementing coordinated plans to neutralize our campuses’ global warming impact within a generation, we can drive the scientific innovation and public and private education necessary to catalyze rapid change.By creating and implementing coordinated plans to neutralize our campuses’ global warming impact within a generation, we can drive the scientific innovation and public and private education necessary to catalyze rapid change.

Successful efforts to make a campus carbon neutral require broad-based institutional support as well as commitment from top decision makers.