February 12, 2008
Colleges can take action to help stop climate change
Emma Schmautz, in her opinion piece in the Montana Kaimin, “Education, not climate, should be priority” uses a paraphrased quote from me to assert that addressing climate change at the University of Montana is not important She chose to take the quote entirely out of context, and seriously misrepresents my views on the issues as well as many public statements that I have made regarding the role of colleges in climate change.
Here is what I have said many times. American colleges and universities emit about 1.8% of US carbon emissions (carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases). If all colleges and universities became climate neutral tomorrow, the direct impact on climate would be rather small. However, the University of Montana and other campuses can play a leadership role in the climate issue because of their educational, social and community impacts.
Universities engaged in becoming climate neutral can educate students in emissions inventory, teach green building management, and prepare students for life in the carbon-lean economy of the near future. Universities can create a social milieu in which serious discussions of how to become climate neutral supplant the tired old arguments about whether human-caused global warming is real. Universities are often the largest consumers of energy and transportation resources within their communities. Working with local governments, energy providers and mass transit authorities to reduce emissions can greatly expand the influence of the university beyond the boundaries of the campus
We are facing catastrophic climate change that will imperil the lives and livelihoods of billions of people and all the world’s ecosystems.
Ms. Schmautz claims that the costs of climate neutrality are too high, but taking action now will be much cheaper than trying to adapt to the climate catastrophes of the next 100 years. Montana is already being affected by climate change, including stresses on forest resources and water supplies, and things will become much worse if we fail to take bold action.
Universities cannot afford engage in the kind of isolation from societal imperatives that Ms. Schmautz advocates. President George Dennison has appropriately placed the University of Montana in a leadership role among American colleges and universities. His courageous stand on climate neutrality will benefit the University, the community of Missoula and the State of Montana. Students, faculty and staff should be applauding President Dennison’s commitment.
Tom Kimmerer, PhD
Sustainability Consultant
tom@kimmerer.com
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Comments
Hey come on now. What about bonus points just for being contrarian and “getting people talking?” I mean, what are facts when you can take an opposing stand and rile up liberals?
Posted by Fred Stapleton on 02/15/2008 at 4:58 am
