From The President
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President Levin sent the following message to the Yale community on Monday, October 4, 2010 announcing the Sustainability Strategic Plan
Universities have a critical role to play in curtailing global warming and providing leadership to build a more sustainable world. Our commitment requires vision, perseverance, creativity, innovation and a willingness to adopt new practices.
To set the foundation for a comprehensive sustainability plan I invited a group of key leaders within the University to form the Sustainability Task Force in the summer of 2009. This group was charged with developing a set of sustainability goals that would be both visionary and achievable over the next three years. The resulting Sustainability Strategic Plan 2010-2013 assigns certain goals and responsibilities to various units within the University, but the Plan also calls for full cooperation from the entire Yale community.
We need support from all of you to assist in achieving our goals by: reducing our waste stream and improving our recycling habits; using less energy and being mindful of turning off lights and computers; reducing our paper consumption by making an effort to double side your printing or not to print at all; and by seeking alternative means of transportation in an effort not to expand our parking capacity.
This plan is not just about improving Yale’s environmental footprint but is intended to enhance the quality of life on campus while streamlining systems and processes to save resources, as well as time and money.
Although we must meet our immediate needs, the University also carries the responsibility to train tomorrow’s leaders. We must be in the forefront not only in advancing science, technology, and education; but also in demonstrating to the world that substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions are feasible and not prohibitively expensive. And by fostering a culture of sustainability, we also will be helping to create models for future generations. As we embark on the Yale Sustainability Strategic Plan, we hope to instill in our students, staff, and faculty a full understanding of what it means to be a part of a sustainable tomorrow. I look forward to having the entire Yale community join me as we work to create such a sustainable environment.
Sincerely yours,
Richard C. Levin
More from President Levin
Yale's GHG reduction commitment
How to stop global warming, The Economic Times, September 2008
Testimony before Senate Committee on the Environment and Public Works, April 2008
Leading by Action to Promote a Better Future, Yale Bulletin & Calendar, April 2008
Yale Experts Led by President Levin to Attend Climate Change Congress, Yale Office of Public Affairs, March 2009
