As Governor Timothy Kaine’s Virginia Year of the Environment draws to a close, Virginia Commonwealth University President Michael Rao is focusing attention on the environment into 2010 and beyond. The VCU Year of the Environment highlights the contributions and leadership that universities can bring to further improve Virginia’s sustainable practices and the impact on our precious natural resources.
The environment and how we, as citizens, interact with it has long been a topic of concern at local, regional and national levels. Signs of “going green” have become synonymous with good practices both at home and in business.
VCU has assumed a position of leadership in the practice of sustainability and encouraging others to be environmentally conscious. The university’s Walter L. Rice Education Building at the VCU Rice Center was the first building in Virginia awarded the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED platinum certification — the highest sustainability rating possible — and has recently completed a 2008 greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Additionally, VCU is pursuing an aggressive planning schedule over the next nine months to complete its Climate Action Plan by May 2010 with a goal of carbon neutrality — zero net GHG emissions — by 2050.
“It is my hope that sustainability becomes an integral component of the academic, administrative, clinical, operational and research activity VCU engages in every day,” said Jacek Ghosh, director of sustainability. “I would like to see sustainability become ingrained in VCU’s DNA as a matter of course.”
Students have also taken the lead in environmental awareness by creating an atmosphere across the university that increases the visibility and practice of environmental responsibility.
“We believe that environmental change at VCU and in the surrounding community will allow the students, faculty and staff to see how these changes are not only simple and exciting, but that they also better our quality of life,” said Will Isenberg, a member of the board of officers for Green Unity for VCU, a campus environmental organization that strives to make VCU greener through education and service. “We aim to promote cooperation and teamwork among all different schools, as each has unique skills and expertise to share and that’s how we believe we’ll be the strongest and most effective.”
VCU proudly kicked off its Year of the Environment Oct. 1, 2009, at the Rice Center. Throughout the year, the university will host a variety of events associated with the initiative, so be sure to follow this site for the many workshops, lectures and other happenings available to VCU and the greater Richmond community.
“Research universities like VCU provide powerful examples of environmental responsibility using the best available knowledge. Every one of us makes a difference on the continuum of sustainability,” President Rao said. “This can be as simple as faculty, staff and students turning off the lights and as multifaceted as the university’s Climate Action Plan.”
You're part of the green solution — no effort is too small. Check out our tips for a greener VCU and then tell us what you’re doing to make a difference.