The university's video, featuring climate innovations like a 12,000 solar panel-array, was selected by the public as the favorite of the 2012 Second Nature Climate Leadership Award finalists. The video is being featured in continued publicity with Planet Forward, which spotlighted the effort at its national Moving the Planet Forward conference in April. Twenty finalists are under consideration for this year's Climate Leadership Awards, which will be presented at the Climate Leadership Summit in June.

The university recently became one of six colleges and universities to endorse the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor, a nationwide effort led by the Catholic Coalition on Climate Change. The pledge is a commitment by Catholic individuals, families, parishes, organizations and institutions to advocate on behalf of people in poverty who face impacts of global climate change.

(U.S.): The Bay Area Environmental Research Institute of Sonoma will collaborate with California State University, Monterey Bay; the University of California, Davis; and the University of North Dakota to study changes in ecosystems, climate and biodiversity over a 10-year period. The findings will help develop products to aid land managers, agricultural producers and water managers throughout the U.S.

The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) is celebrating its five year anniversary with new data that reveals an annual average of 970 metric tons saved in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by signatories that have submitted more than one greenhouse gas emissions inventory. Collectively, the ACUPCC network has purchased more than 1.28 billion kilowatt-hours of renewable energy credits, making it the third-largest buyer in the country. Eighty-two percent of signatories reported savings in the range of $46.8 and $246.7 million from their Climate Action Plans.

The Student Government at the University of Colorado Boulder has reached carbon neutrality with its student-fee funded facilities. The three facilities have reduced energy use by 15 percent over the last five years, when the goal was first announced, and saved about $1.6 million in energy costs. To offset the remaining emissions needed to reach zero, student fees were used for projects including solar thermal installations to heat water for low-income housing.

With the help of energy efficiency measures including fixing gas leaks, replacing boilers with more efficient models and more efficient lighting, the Maharishi University of Management (IA) has reduced its carbon count by about 22 percent over the past three years. Stationary combustion (such as natural gas appliances) has been reduced by 23 percent; mobile combustion by 35 percent; and electricity usage by 22 percent.

Sixty-five signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on Nov. 8, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by: Albion College (MI); American University (DC); Austin College (TX); Bard College (NY); Bowdoin College (ME); Bowie State University (MD); Chatham University (PA); Clark University (MA); Coastal Carolina University (SC); Delta College (MI); DePauw University (IN); Eckerd College (FL); George Mason University (VA); George Washington University (DC); Gonzaga University (WA); Grand Valley State University (MI); Hamilton College (NY); Haverford College (PA); Indiana State University; Lorain County Community College (OH); Macalester College (MN); Maharishi University of Management (IA); Massachusetts College of Art & Design; Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts; McLennan Community College (TX); Montclair State University (NJ); Ohio University; Ohlone College (CA); Oregon State University; Phoenix College (AZ); Seattle University (WA); Sewanee: The University of the South (TN); Southern Polytechnic State University (GA); St. Lawrence University (NY); St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley (MO); State University of New York College at Oswego; Stetson University (FL); The City College of New York; Trident Technical College (SC); University of Arizona; University of Arkansas; University of California, Irvine; University of California, Los Angeles; University of California, San Francisco; University of Colorado Boulder; University of Hawaii at Manoa; University of Maryland Baltimore; University of Maryland Baltimore County; University of Maryland College Park; University of Massachusetts Lowell; University of Minnesota-Crookston; University of Minnesota-Rochester; University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of Missouri-Kansas City; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of Vermont; University of Washington Tacoma; University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Valdosta State University (GA); Villanova University (PA); Wentworth Institute of Technology (MA); Wesley College (DE); West Chester University of Pennsylvania; and Western Washington University. In related news, State University of New York Institute of Technology has released a greenhouse gas inventory.

Nineteen new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAPs) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on Nov. 1, 2011. CAPs illustrate the specific steps that institutions are taking to reach climate neutrality and are the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment, due within two years of signing. The new submissions are, in alphabetical order: Antioch University Seattle (WA); Castleton State College (VT); Community College of Baltimore County (MD); Edmonds Community College (WA); Gateway Technical College (WI); Lorain County Community College (OH); Montana State University – Bozeman; Northeast Lakeview College (TX); Northwest Vista College (TX); Palo Alto College (TX); San Antonio College (TX); School of the Art Institute of Chicago (IL); St. Philip's College (TX); University of Arizona; University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Maryland Baltimore; University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; and University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. In related news, Emory University (GA) has announced carbon reduction goals in a new Climate Action Plan.

Thirty-eight signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on June 21, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by: Arizona State University; Bentley University (MA); Carleton College (MN); Cedar Valley College (TX); Centre College (KY); College of Charleston (SC); College of Saint Rose (NY); Colorado State University; Hampshire College (MA); Heartland Community College (IL); Labette Community College (KS); Loyola University New Orleans (LA); Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI); Montgomery County Community College (PA); New Mexico State University Dona Ana Branch; Pomona College (CA); Pratt Institute (NY); Rochester Institute of Technology (NY); Rogue Community College (OR); Santa Clara University (CA); Southern Connecticut State University; State University of New York College at Cortland; State University of New York College at Geneseo; State University of New York at Stony Brook; The Ohio State University - Columbus Campus; The Universities at Shady Grove (MD); Truckee Meadows Community College (NV); University of Central Missouri; University of Louisville (KY); University of Minnesota-Duluth; University of Southern Maine; University of Southern Mississippi; University of Tennessee, Knoxville; University of Wisconsin-Green Bay; University of Wisconsin-River Falls; Virginia Commonwealth University; and Western Connecticut State University. In related news, Yale University (CT) and Bowdoin University (ME) have released greenhouse gas reduction progress reports.

Eighteen new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAPs) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on June 6, 2011. CAPs illustrate the specific steps that institutions are taking to reach climate neutrality and are the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment, due within two years of signing. The new submissions are, in alphabetical order: Bainbridge Graduate Institute (WA), Carleton College (MN), Chaffey College (CA), Colgate University (NY), Eckerd College (FL), Fairfield University (CT), Hiram College (OH), Illinois College, Messiah College (PA), Northern Kentucky University, Rochester Institute of Technology (NY), St. Lawrence University (NY), State University of New York College at Cortland, State University of New York at Orange, Trident Technical College (SC), University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Employees, students and departments at Duke University (NC) can now buy offsets through the Duke Carbon Offsets Initiative to lower the emissions they can't reduce or avoid. The offsets support university-sponsored greenhouse gas emission reduction projects. With offsets starting at $10 per ton of carbon dioxide equivalent, about $30 will offset a year of university-related carbon emissions by an average employee.

The American Meteorological Society (AMS) has partnered with Second Nature to implement a climate studies course at 100 minority-serving institutions (MSI) across the country. The National Science Foundation awarded the AMS Education Program $1,028,705 to implement the course over a five-year period. The project will introduce and enhance geoscience coursework at MSIs with a focus on American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) signatories and/or members of the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation.

A team of researchers at Michigan State University are working to give farmers the necessary tools to help cope with climate variability and lessen its negative impact on agriculture. The five-year project is funded by a $5 million grant from the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Spanning 12 states from North Dakota to Ohio, the study will develop models to predict how climate scenarios could affect corn and soybean growth and profits. The study will also identify the best ways to deliver the information to farmers.

The University of New Hampshire has partnered with independent nonprofit Climate Counts to expand the effort to bring consumers and companies together in addressing the climate crisis. Climate Counts will operate its main office on campus to take advantage of the university’s climate research, engaged scholarship and campus-wide Sustainability Academy. The partnership will provide new research opportunities for students and will advance the work of Carbon Solutions New England, which conducts independent analysis and research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and growing economic opportunities.

A new report released by the Guardian reveals that British universities are on track to fail to meet carbon emissions targets set by the government. Academic institutions have been told to reduce their emissions by 48 percent between 2005 and 2020. According to the People & Planet Green League of UK higher education institutions, the emissions from the 142 universities that provided data for the survey have risen 3.9 percent in total since last year, despite the fact that funding for English universities is linked to their ability to meet these targets.

Second Nature recently honored several institutions with its 2nd Annual Climate Leadership Award. Award recipients, recognized during the 5th Annual American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Summit on June 23, include University of Maryland, College Park; University of Maine; University of California, Irvine; Frostburg State University (MD); Delaware State University; Green Mountain College (VT); Colgate University (NY); Mount Wachusett Community College (MA); Montgomery County Community College (NC); and Bunker Hill Community College (MA).

Forty-one signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on April 4, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by Alfred State College SUNY College of Technology; American University (DC); Aquinas College (MI); Bucknell University (PA); Catawba College (NC); Colby-Sawyer College (NH); College of Saint Mary (NE); Colorado Mountain College; Columbia Gorge Community College (OR); Dakota County Technical College (MN); Des Moines Area Community College (IA); Eastern Iowa Community College District; Fayetteville State University (NC); Finger Lakes Community College (NY); Glendale Community College (AZ); Heartland Community College (IL); Ithaca College (NY); Keene State College (NH); New Mexico State University at Alamogordo; New College of Florida; Ohio University; Olympic College (WA); Oregon Institute of Technology; Paul Smith's College of Arts and Sciences (NY); Queens University of Charlotte (NC); Roxbury Community College (MA); Saint Peter's College (NJ); Sweet Briar College (VA); Temple University (PA); The Ohio State University; University of Florida; University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science; University of Miami (FL); University of Missouri; University of New Mexico-Los Alamos; University of New Mexico-Taos; University of Vermont; Utah State University; Virginia Wesleyan College; Wesleyan College (GA); and William Rainey Harper College (IL).

New York University's Climate Action Plan was recently honored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the 11th annual Clean Air Excellence Awards. The awards recognized 12 programs across the U.S. for innovative efforts in achieving cleaner air and education efforts that help citizens make better informed environmental decisions. The university was recognized in the Community Action category for directly reducing pollutant emissions, demonstrating innovation, offering sustainable outcomes and providing a model for others to follow.

Through Puget Sound Energy's new Carbon Balance Program, Seattle University (WA) has offset 100 percent of the natural gas used to heat campus buildings and reduced net greenhouse gas emissions from existing buildings by 96 percent. The university purchased carbon offsets from a Washington dairy farm that captures methane gas released by manure and burns it in an on-site generator to produce electricity. Puget Sound Energy's recently launched program aims to help natural gas customers reduce their carbon footprint.

University leadership was factored into the new list of top 10 climate-ready cities in the U.S. by new media company Triple Pundit. The list looks at which large U.S. cities are mitigating their impact on climate change as well as investing in appropriate climate change adaptation solutions. Other ranking elements included political commitment, green buildings, transit access and use, clean tech investment, and energy and greenhouse gas emissions.

Twenty-two new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAPs) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on Feb. 7, 2011. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. The new submissions are, in alphabetical order: Albion College (MI); Alfred University (NY); Bemidji State University (MN); Bergen Community College (NJ); Case Western Reserve University (OH); DePauw University (IN); Drury University (MO); Lake Superior College (MN); Mercer County Community College (NJ); Missouri University of Science & Technology; Pomona College (CA); Roxbury Community College (MA); St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley (MO); State University of New York Upstate Medical University; The Ohio State University - Columbus; University of La Verne (CA); University of New England (ME); University of New Mexico-Taos; University of South Carolina Upstate; Valencia Community College (FL); Wells College (NY); and Willamette University (OR).

Dr. David Caruso, president of Antioch University New England, has been named to Second Nature's Adaptation Committee. Composed of higher education and climate adaptation experts, the committee will be introduced during the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) Climate Leadership Summit in June. The committee will evaluate how colleges and universities can use research, teaching, knowledge, skills and local outreach to serve as climate adaptation hubs in their communities.

Advocating that today's generation of leaders act as trustees for future generations, youth climate activists recently held a series of iMatter marches and demonstrations around the globe. The iMatter organization - targeted at elementary- to college-aged youth - has also announced plans to sue the U.S. government, calling for a drastic reduction in emissions immediately. "We do have a legal right to insist that the planet is protected for our future and for generations to come," says the iMatter website. "We need our government to protect the atmosphere by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and put an end to our unhealthy reliance on fossil fuels."

Syracuse University (NY) recently became one of the first institutions in North America to achieve Climate Registered™ status by successfully measuring its carbon footprint with The Climate Registry. As one of the founding reporters of the nonprofit organization, the university voluntarily committed to measure, independently verify and publicly report its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) on an annual basis using The Climate Registry General Reporting Protocol. The protocol is based on the internationally recognized GHG measurement standards of the World Resource Institute and World Bank Council for Sustainable Development.

Yale University (CT) recently hosted the "Changing Planet" town hall in partnership with NBC Learn - the educational arm of NBC News - the National Science Foundation (NSF) and Discover magazine. The event brought together more than 100 students and panelists including the director of the Yale Climate and Energy Institute, the founder and coordinator of the Energy Action Coalition, a geosciences professor at Texas Tech University and the chief sustainability officer at DuPont. Available for viewing on the NSF, NBC Learn and Discover websites, the town hall was intended to encourage student learning and dialogue about climate change by gathering scientists, thought leaders and university students to discuss the facts of climate science, the dynamics of its impact and to brainstorm solutions. A special print adaptation of "Changing Planet" will appear in the June issue of Discover magazine.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the results of its fifth annual College and University Green Power Challenge. The University of Pennsylvania held on to the top individual school title, purchasing more than 200 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power or 47 percent of its power purchases. The Big Ten conference surpassed the Ivy League conference for the first time as the top athletic conference in the challenge with an annual green power usage of more than 256 million kWh. This year's challenge participation increased to 69 competing institutions from 59 last year, representing 31 conferences nationwide. More than 1.5 billion kWh of annual green power usage were recorded, the equivalent environmental impact of avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions from the annual electricity use of more than 132,000 homes.

Colleges and universities in the U.S. reported significant reductions in their greenhouse gas emissions in 2010, according to an annual report just released by the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC). The report provides an overview of ACUPCC signatory schools that are creating and implementing comprehensive plans to eliminate net greenhouse gas emissions from their campus operations. Also integral to these plans are activities that promote education, research and community engagement. For the first time a significant number of schools - more than 250 - have submitted updates to their original greenhouse gas inventories, revealing whether emissions have increased or declined since climate action efforts began in earnest. This group accounted for a net reduction of more than 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. As of December 31, 2010, the ACUPCC network had 676 active members representing all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Bennington College (VT) has announced a plan to conduct a carbon sequestration analysis of the forests and woodlands on its 400-acre campus to better understand and more accurately measure its institutional carbon budget. The university hopes that its effort to take into account the role of natural and managed vegetation and associated soils in the carbon cycle in its institutional carbon budget will help to establish methods and standards that can be broadly applied by other institutions. Data analysis will begin this coming summer and continue through spring 2012.

Twenty-eight signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on January 31, 2011. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, new inventories were submitted by: Antioch University, Seattle (WA); Bellevue College (WA); Brandeis University (MA); Century College (MN); Community College of Denver (CO); Creighton University (NE); Denison University (OH); Georgian Court University (NJ); Massasoit Community College (MA); Metropolitan State College of Denver (CO); Missouri University of Science & Technology; Oberlin College (OH); Polytechnic University (NY); Salem State College (MA); Shenandoah University (VA); Smith College (MA); State University of New York College at Cortland; State University of New York Empire State College; The University of Montana - Helena College of Technology; The University of Montana – Western; University of Alaska Anchorage; University of Baltimore (MD); University of Massachusetts Boston; University of Richmond (VA); University of South Carolina Lancaster; University of South Carolina Sumter; University of South Carolina Union; and University of South Carolina Upstate. In related news, Bowdoin College (ME) has also completed its greenhouse gas inventory.

The Department of the Interior has dedicated a new Alaska Climate Science Center, hosted by the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. This is the first of eight regional climate science centers that the department plans to establish throughout the country. The centers will use existing capacities to provide scientific data, tools and techniques to manage the nation's land, water, fish, wildlife and cultural heritage in a changing climate. Each center will be a partnership between federal and state agencies, and an academic institution or consortium of universities.

The Computation Institute at the University of Chicago (IL) is leading a new multi–institutional, interdisciplinary center to build tools to help governments, the private sector and individuals make better–informed decisions relating to both climate and energy policies and the long–term consequences of climate change. The effort will bring together collaborators at nine institutions under the auspices of a new Center for Robust Decision Making on Climate and Energy Policy, supported by a five–year, $6 million grant from the National Science Foundation as part of the Decision–Making Under Uncertainty program. The center will consist of experts in economics, physical sciences, energy technologies, law, computational mathematics, statistics and computer science. The group will undertake a series of research programs aimed at improving the computational models needed to evaluate energy and climate policies and guide decisions based on outcomes.

The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has recently commissioned a project to measure scope 3 carbon emissions at a higher education institutional level. The project will work to establish a sector baseline of emissions from procurement, produce definitions for measuring scope 3 carbon emissions and provide guidance to higher education institutions to help with the associated data collection. Set for an August 2011 completion, project teams with representatives from the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE), the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA), the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC) and the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) will engage with a wide range of institutions, sector bodies and stakeholders to collect data in areas of procurement, water, waste, commuting and business travel.

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology recently achieved carbon neutrality with its 2010 university commencement, held for more than 10,000 students and parents. Carbon reduction measures included additional recycling bins, used cups and plates composting, a carbon-friendly menu and recycled paper and environmentally friendly ink for the commencement program printing. The post-event carbon audit revealed the achievement of carbon neutrality based on British Standards Institution's PAS 2060 protocol.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture has announced an award of $20 million to the University of Idaho to fund research to better understand and plan for a changing climate in the Pacific Northwest. A research team led by the university that includes researchers from Washington State University, Oregon State University and the USDA Agricultural Research Service will study impacts of climate change on Northwest wheat and barley production with a focus on cereal production systems and their management under projected climate change scenarios for the region.

Thirteen new institutions have signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the July 19, 2010 issue of the AASHE Bulletin. In doing so, these campuses have committed to develop comprehensive plans for achieving climate neutrality. The new signatories are: Ronald Berkman of Cleveland State University (OH), Mark Erickson of Wittenberg University (OH), John Fry of Drexel University (PA), Jerry Sue Thornton of Cuyahoga Community College (OH), John Delaney of the University of North Florida, Cleveland Sellers of Voorhees College (SC), Greg Weisenstein of West Chester University (PA), Thayne McColluh of Gonzaga University (WA), Janet Eisner of Emmanuel College (MA), Beverly Tatum of Spelman College (GA), Kenneth Ender of William Rainey Harper College (IL), Thomas Cole of Interdenominational Theological Center (GA) and David Gipp of the United Tribes Technical College (ND). A total of 677 college and university presidents are active ACUPCC signatories.

Forty-three new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAPs) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on Dec. 6, 2010. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. The new submissions are, in alphabetical order: Babson College (MA); Clemson University (SC); Coppin State University (MD); East Los Angeles College (CA); Everett Community College (WA); Gateway Community College (AZ); Goucher College (MD); Governors State University (IL); Gustavus Adolphus College (MN); Hillsborough Community College (FL); Holyoke Community College (MA); Huston-Tillotson University (TX); Johnson County Community College (KS); Juniata College (PA); Lane Community College (OR); Los Angeles City College (CA); Los Angeles Harbor College (CA); Los Angeles Mission College (CA); Los Angeles Pierce College (CA); Los Angeles Southwest College (CA); Los Angeles Trade-Technical College (CA); Los Angeles Valley College (CA); Massachusetts Maritime Academy; Monroe Community College (NY); New Mexico State University at Carlsbad; North Carolina State University; Southern New Hampshire University; St. Mary's College of Maryland; State University of New York at Albany; The New School (NY); University of Massachusetts Dartmouth; University of Minnesota-Crookston; University of Minnesota-Duluth; University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; University of Mississippi; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of Missouri - Kansas City; University of Richmond (VA); University of South Carolina Lancaster (SC); University of Vermont; University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; West Los Angeles College (CA); and Western Technical College (WI).

"Taking the bus between the two meeting locations in Cancun is a lot like the official negotiations themselves," writes Stuart Sexton who was one of 16 University of Minnesota students who participated as official observers of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference in Mexico. "They are rather slow and repetitive, and every once in a while you have to brake for an unexpected iguana in the road, but every time you get back from where you were, the climate change agreement picture becomes a little bit clearer." As part of a climate change policy course, the students provided updates on the negotiations to local media and interviewed delegates during the first week of the two-week negotiations. The students recently presented their experience to the public at the university's Institute on the Environment.

The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has signed on as an academic partner to the R20 - Regions of Climate Action alliance. Officially launched this month at the third Governors’ Global Climate Summit in California, the R20 is a subnational public-private alliance that will partner with organizations and individuals from the private sector, academia, national governments, international organizations and civil society to build momentum for climate action at the national and international levels. The alliance aims to develop and implement low-carbon and climate resilient projects through cooperation among subnational governments from around the world and within five years, aims to have at least 20 subnational governments enact comprehensive low-carbon policies and implement projects. The R20 hopes to expand the global green economy, create new green jobs and build commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

More than 100 signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on June 21, 2010. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In the November 15 issue, AASHE listed the first 70 of 131 institutions that submitted new inventories in alphabetical order. The remaining 61 campuses that have submitted new inventories include: Saint Joseph's College of Maine; Salisbury University (MD); San Antonio College (TX); San Francisco State University (CA); Santa Clara University (CA); Southern Oregon University; Southwestern College - Kansas; St. Catherine University (MN); St. Cloud State University (MN); St. Philip's College (TX); State University of New York at Buffalo; State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; State University of New York College at Oswego; State University of New York Empire State College; SUNY Orange (NY); The College of New Jersey; The Ohio State University, Columbus Campus; Towson University (MD): Trident Technical College (SC); Trinity College (CT); Union College (NY); Unity College (ME); University of Arizona; University of California, Berkeley; University of California, Davis; University of California, Irvine; University of California, Santa Barbara; University of California, Santa Cruz; University of Cincinnati (OH): University of Colorado at Boulder; University of Idaho; University of Illinois at Chicago; University of La Verne (CA); University of Maine; University of Maine at Machias; University of Maryland Baltimore County; University of Maryland College Park; University of Massachusetts Medical School; University of Nevada, Reno; University of New Hampshire; University of New Mexico-Valencia; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; University of Puget Sound (WA); University of Redlands (CA); University of Utah; University of Washington Bothell; University of Washington Seattle; University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; University of Wyoming; Utah State University; Valencia Community College (FL); Virginia Commonwealth University; Wake Technical Community College (NC); Warren Wilson College (NC); Washington & Jefferson College (PA); Western Iowa Tech Community College; Western Michigan University (MI); Western Oregon University; William Paterson University of New Jersey; and Wilson College (PA).

More than 100 signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on June 21, 2010. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. In alphabetical order, AASHE is listing the first 70 of 131 institutions that submitted new inventories. The remaining 61 campuses will appear in the November 22 issue. New inventories were submitted by: Alfred University (NY); Allegheny College (PA); Antioch University New England (NH); Bentley University (MA); Berea College (KY); Bethany College (WV); Black Hills State University (SD); Bowdoin College (ME); Bridgemont Community and Technical College (WV); Brookhaven College (TX); Bunker Hill Community College (MA); California State University, Chico; California State Polytechnic University, Pomona; Cape Cod Community College (MA); Chandler-Gilbert Community College (AZ); Clark University (MA); College of Lake County (IL); College of the Holy Cross (MA); Colorado College; Colorado State University; Columbus State Community College (OH); Connecticut College; Cornell University (NY); Delaware State University; Drury University (MO); Eastfield College (TX); Eckerd College (FL); Emerson College (MA); Fairfield University (CT); Florida Gulf Coast University; Florida International University; Franklin & Marshall College (PA); Franklin Pierce University (NH); George Mason University (VA); Georgia Institute of Technology; Goshen College (IN); Grand Rapids Community College (MI); Guilford College (NC); Harford Community College (MD); Harrisburg Area Community College (PA); Haywood Community College (NC); Hibbing Community College (MN); Hollins University (VA); Houghton College (NY); Joliet Junior College (IL); Kalamazoo College (MI); Kennesaw State University (GA); Life University (GA); Macalester College (MN); McLennan Community College (TX); Mercyhurst College (PA); Middlesex Community College (MA); Monroe Community College (NY); Monterey Institute of International Studies (CA); Montgomery County Community College (PA); Naropa University (CO); North Iowa Area Community College (IA); North Shore Community College (MA); Northeast Lakeview College (TX); Northwest Vista College (TX); Norwalk Community College (CT); Onondaga Community College (NY); Pacific Lutheran University (WA); Palo Alto College (TX); Pomona College (CA); Purchase College, State University of New York; Randolph College (VA); Richland College (TX); Rider University (NJ); and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (IN). In related news, Yale University (CT) has published a Yale Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy 2010 executive summary.

Delta College (MI) President Jean Goodnow has received the first annual Climate Leadership Award for Outstanding Individual Climate Leadership from Second Nature. Honorees were recognized at the organization's fourth annual American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment Summit in October. Goodnow has integrated sustainability into the college's educational, administrative and operational activities including Green Fridays, a four-day work week established as a successful measure of campus carbon reduction. The college is also launching an Introduction to Sustainability course to serve as the foundation for its upcoming Sustainability Certificate program.

Duke University (NC) has launched DukeEngage, a program that allows students to purchase carbon emission credits before participating in a study abroad programs or traveling for school. The offsets are being created by a Duke partnership with North Carolina hog farmers to capture methane gas. To participate in the offsets program, DukeEngage students log into a website, use a calculator to determine the carbon emissions of an upcoming trip, and then pay for offsets with a FLEX account or a check.

10 new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAP) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on March 22, 2010. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. The new submission are: New York University, University of Oregon, Northern Arizona University, Northeastern University (MA), Antioch University New England (NH), Framingham State College (MA), New Mexico State University Dona Ana Branch, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Northern Essex Community College (MA), and Naropa University (CO).

27 new institutions have signed the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment since the last update in the December 21, 2009 issue of the AASHE Bulletin. In doing so, these campuses have committed to develop comprehensive plans for achieving climate neutrality. The new signatories are: James Anderson of Fayetteville State University (NC); David DeCenzo of Coastal Carolina University (SC); Dale Knobel of Denison University (OH); Rufus Glasper of the Maricopa Community College District (AZ); Ernie Lara of Estrella Mountain Community College (AZ); Velvie Green of Glendale Community College (AZ); Paul Dale of Paradise Valley Community College (AZ); Anna Solley of Phoenix College (AZ); Ken Atwater of South Mountain Community College (AZ); Charlotte Warren of Lincoln Land Community College (IL); Frank Toda of Columbia Gorge Community College (OR); Paul McCarthy of El Centro College (TX); Jeffrey Docking of Adrian College (MI); John Anderson of Alfred State College SUNY College of Technology (NY); Richard Rhodes of El Paso Community College (TX); Robert Franklin of Morehouse College (GA); Stephen Beal of California College of the Arts; Stan Altman of Baruch College – CUNY (NY); T. Eston Marchant of Central Carolina Community College (NC); John Schlegel of Creighton University (NE); Michael Burke of Milwaukee Area Technical College (WI); Thomas Isekenegbe of Cumberland County College (NJ); Ed Gould of Imperial Valley College (CA); Becky Paneitz of NorthWest Arkansas Community College; Peter Angstadt of Rogue Community College (OR); Pamela Davies of Queens University of Charlotte (NC); and Mark Tierno of Cazenovia College (NY). 682 college and university presidents and chancellors have now signed the Commitment.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced the results of its fourth annual Green Power Challenge. The University of Pennsylvania emerged as the top individual school in the competition, purchasing more than 192 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of green power or 46 percent of their power purchases. Collectively, the Ivy League is the overall college conference champion in the challenge, with an annual green power usage of more than 225 million kWh. After the Ivy League, the Big Ten Conference followed by the University Athletic Association are the second and third place winners, respectively. Spread across 26 athletic conferences nationwide, 54 universities competed in this year’s challenge. More than 1 billion kWh of purchased green power were recorded as part of this year's challenge.

The University of South Carolina Office of Outdoor Recreation has released a plan for becoming carbon neutral. The Office plans to plant at least 39 trees each year to offset the 6.6 tons of annual carbon emissions it generates.

The American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) has released its Annual Report. The Report includes highlights from 2009; a list of innovative ways schools are applying their Climate Action Plans to areas such as curriculum, transportation, renewable energy, and partnerships within and outside the campus gates; a description of the impact the Commitment has had on the reduction of carbon emissions; information on the Climate Action Plans that have been submitted; a list of resources available to signatory institutions; and the ACUPCC budget. The ACUPCC, launched in early 2007, is currently comprised of 677 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia - representing nearly six million students and about one third of the US higher education student population.

10 new campuses have submitted Climate Action Plans (CAP) as part of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on February 15, 2010. The plans illustrate the specific steps schools are taking to reach climate neutrality. The CAP is the second major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within two years of signing. The new submission are: Bates College (ME); Smith College (MA); Cabrillo College (CA); Plymouth State University (NH); Saint John's University (MN); University of California, San Diego; Florida Gulf Coast University; Berry College (GA); Berea College (KY); and Wilkes University (PA). In related news, Johns Hopkins University (MD) has also announced its Implementation Plan for Advancing Sustainability and Climate Stewardship.

14 campuses have offset 100 percent of their greenhouse gas emissions derived from laundry equipment through a partnership with Mac-Gray Corporation and Carbonfund.org. Over 21 million pounds of GHG emissions will be offset through a $95,000 investment in Carbonfund.org's third-party verified carbon reduction projects. The participating campuses include: Colorado College, Colorado State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Keene State College (NH), Salisbury University (MD), Stonehill College (MA), University of Montevallo (AL), University of North Carolina-Charlotte, University of North Carolina-Wilmington, University of South Carolina-Aiken, University of South Carolina-Upstate, and Western Carolina University (NC).

42 signatory campuses of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) have submitted public greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories since the last update in the AASHE Bulletin on December 21, 2009. The GHG inventory is the first major reporting requirement of the Commitment and is due within a year of signing. New inventories were submitted by: Bainbridge Graduate Institute (WA): Bard College (NY); Bemidji State University (MN); Cascadia Community College (WA); Century College (MN); Colby-Sawyer College (NH); Colgate University (NH); Concordia University, Nebraska; Edmonds Community College (WA); Everett Community College (WA); George Mason University (VA); Grand Valley State University (MI); Hiram College (OH); Hocking Technical College (OH); Howard Community College (MD); Huston-Tillotson University (TX); Jackson Community College (MI); Jamestown Community College (NY); Labette Community College (KS); Lakeshore Technical College (WI); Mercyhurst College (PA); Minnesota State Community and Technical College; Missouri University of Science & Technology; Mount Mercy College (IA); Mount Wachusett Community College (MA); Northeastern University (MA); Ohio University; Santa Clara University (CA); Southern Oregon University; State University of New York at New Paltz; Stetson University (FL); The University of Memphis (TN); University of Arizona; University of Central Florida; University of Maine at Presque Isle; University of Missouri - Columbia; University of Missouri - Saint Louis; University of New England (ME); University of Rhode Island; University of Southern Maine; Washington State University, Pullman; and Western Connecticut State University. In related news, Elon University (CT) has also completed its greenhouse gas inventory.