Degrees That Matter ─ Climate Change and the University

Universities and colleges are in a unique position to take a leadership role onglobal warming. As communities, they can strategize and organize effective action. As laboratoriesfor learning and centers of research, they can reduce their own emissions of greenhouse gases,educate students about global warming, and direct scholarly attention to issues related to climatechange and energy. Degrees That Matter offers practical guidance for those who want to harness thepower of universities and other institutions, and provides perspectives on how to motivate changeand inspire action within complex organizations.The authors, drawing on almost a decade ofexperience leading the Tufts Climate Initiative and other institutional "greening" efforts, provideboth the basic facts and more detailed information about climate issues. Some chapters can be usedas stand-alone action guides for specific areas, while others put climate action in scientific,economic, and political contexts. The authors discuss the major sources of greenhouse gas emissionson campus and the importance of an emissions inventory for setting goals and strategies. Theyconsider decision making (and decision makers), costs, budgets, and institutional priorities, anddescribe different emission reduction projects. They look at the importance of master planning forthe university and the value of action by individual community members. Finally, they suggestclimate action projects for the classroom and offer guidance for tapping student energy. Their aimis to inspire others to take on global warming regardless of organizational setting.

Lawrence Bacow is President of Tufts University and the former Chancellor of MIT.