School News
Austin College purchases carbon offsets for study abroad trips
By Austin College
Jan 5, 2010
SHERMAN, TEXAS — Austin College, as part of its ongoing commitment to greening initiatives, will offset 39 percent of the estimated carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from upcoming study abroad trips.
Seven of the College’s off-campus January Term courses elected to purchase offsets, encompassing travel to Peru; Ecuador; Galapagos; Costa Rica; South Africa; Berlin; Tokyo; Washington, DC; and New York. In total, carbon emissions for 124 students, seven faculty, and three alumni will be offset. One on-campus course also purchased credits to offset van travel. Participants are voluntarily paying the additional costs of the carbon offsets in this student-supported greening initiative.
The offsets, purchased in partnership with NativeEnergy, will be used to build a new wind farm in Greensburg, Kansas.
An EF-5 tornado leveled Greensburg on May 4, 2007, destroying 95 percent of the homes and leaving a path of devastation nearly two miles wide. The community voted overwhelmingly to rebuild in environmentally responsible ways that would serve as an example of a sustainable American community.
“We are serious about climate stewardship and social responsibility,” said Dr. Marjorie Hass, president of Austin College. “We are proud to help build this wind farm and to help our students minimize their environmental impact.”
The Greensburg Wind Farm project will create significant economic and environmental benefits as the community continues to rebuild. Ten wind turbines will generate 12.5 MW of electricity, enough energy to power about 4,000 homes, propelling Greensburg toward its goal of being the greenest city in America.
“We evaluated a dozen different carbon offset providers, but NativeEnergy came to the top,” said Dr. David Baker, associate professor of physics, who participated in the carbon offset selection. “Not only do they offer high-quality carbon offsets—their process is transparent and they provide a lot of information—but they also have an educational component, which matches well with the mission of the College.”
Austin College’s commitment to study abroad and sensitivity to its environmental impact led to the purchase of the carbon offsets. The air travel required for these international experiences is the third largest contributor to the College’s emissions, according to a 2009 greenhouse gas emissions report. Because there are currently no “green” air travel options, buying carbon offsets minimizes the environmental impact.
The purchase of these carbon offsets is just one of many examples of the College’s support of greening programs. A signatory to the President’s Climate Commitment, Austin College is working to reduce its impact on the environment through recycling initiatives, prairie restoration, research on solar power, and a growing Environmental Studies program.
About Austin College - Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas. Founded in 1849, making it the oldest institution of higher education in Texas operating under original charter and name, the college is related by covenant to the Presbyterian Church (USA). Recognized nationally for academic excellence in the areas of international education, pre-professional training, and leadership studies, Austin College is one of 40 schools profiled in Loren Pope’s influential book Colleges that Change Lives.
About NativeEnergy- NativeEnergy helps clients compete in a carbon-constrained world, through carbon management and energy efficiency consulting services and cost-effective climate solutions, including renewable energy credits (RECs) and carbon offsets. NativeEnergy helps its clients develop onsite renewable energy projects or help bring on line new Native American, family farmer and community-owned renewable energy projects. NativeEnergy offers third-party verified and certified RECs, and offsets from a variety of operating projects across America and internationally. Through its proven approach of bringing upfront payment to renewable projects for the estimated future carbon offsets, Native Energy enables its clients to help directly finance the construction of specific new wind farms and other renewable energy projects. NativeEnergy focuses on real, additional offsets that provide both an environmental and a social benefit.
More information is available at www.nativeenergy.com. NativeEnergy is a founding member and Co-Chair of the International Carbon Reduction and Offset Alliance: www.icroa.org.