Occidental College Climate Change and Renewable Energy Initiative

Passed in the GA on November 2, 2006.

Passed in the Senate on November 9, 2006.

Intent: to demonstrate student support for actions to reduce Occidental’s climate change impacts.

Whereas reversing Climate Change is one of the defining challenges of our generation;

Whereas a scientific consensus exists that Climate Change will have significant negative effects on human societies and ecosystems unless action is taken now to reduce emissions of global warming gases;

Whereas colleges and universities, as institutions of higher learning and as major consumers of energy, have an obligation to show leadership in reducing their Climate Change impacts;

Whereas action to reverse Climate Change is more and more a part of “leadership in an increasingly complex, interdependent and pluralistic world;”

Whereas the college, in adopting a new Campus Master Plan, has declared that sustainability is one of the key principles that will guide Occidental’s future development and has recommended that new and refurbished buildings generate at least part of their power from photovoltaic cells;

Whereas actions taken on campus to reduce Occidental’s Climate Change impacts, including use of Renewable Energy, will enhance the educational experience of students at the College;

Whereas generation of power from renewable sources is a wise financial investment that will save the College money over the mid to long term;

Whereas leadership in addressing Climate Change and using Renewable Energy will enhance the visibility and reputation of the College;

Whereas alumni and other potential donors will likely find Climate Change reduction actions and Renewable Energy investments an attractive way to support the College.

We, the ASOC, resolve to help launch the Occidental College Climate Change and Renewable Energy Initiative.

We resolve to request the Administration to place solar panels on an appropriate location on campus, such as the roof of a major building or a parking lot.

We resolve to request that the Administration prepare an audit of Occidental’s greenhouse gas emissions, with, where appropriate, student research assistance.

We resolve to request that, upon completion of the audit, the College should commit to a greenhouse gas reduction target and identify a plan for reducing Occidental’s Climate Change impacts.

We resolve, in order to demonstrate student-body commitment to this Initiative, to explore the possibility of holding a referendum seeking student approval to raise student activity fees by $5 per semester with the proceeds going to a dedicated Climate Change Action and Campus Greening Fund.

Presented by Robert Theofanis on October 26, 2006.