University commits to meeting goals of the Paris Agreement

Cleveland State University has joined over a thousand local governments, states, businesses and higher education institutions in the #WeAreStillIn campaign. The effort seeks to rally grassroots support from across the United States to commit to meeting the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and to ensure an environmentally stable future for our world.

CSU joins 280 other universities, nine states and numerous Fortune 500 companies, including Microsoft and Mars, in pledging to take meaningful steps necessary to increase clean energy use, reduce emissions and decrease the effects of climate change.

“It is imperative that the world know that in the U.S., the actors that will provide the leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals, colleges and universities, investors and businesses,” the group said in an open letter. “Together, we will remain actively engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to well below 2℃ and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will benefit our security, prosperity, and health.”

CSU has a long commitment to sustainable development and climate action, and over the decade has reduced emissions significantly. Efforts undertaken on campus to accomplish this have included an LED lighting upgrade, the installation of high efficiency fume hoods in science labs, and an HVAC system upgrade. The university has also been named a Green Power Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency due to its commitment to purchase 30 percent of its energy from green sources.

“CSU is honored to add our voice to the growing legion of organizations and individuals who are willing to do what it takes to reduce emissions in line with the contributions established in the Paris Agreement,” adds Jennifer McMillin, Director of Sustainability at CSU. “A stable climate underpins a secure future for our graduates and we commit to continued efforts to reduce our environmental footprint.”

To learn more about the campaign, visit http://wearestillin.com.

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