Resolution recommending that the California State University, Long Beach
become a signatory to the
American College and University Presidents Climate Committment
Whereas, the Academic Senate is deeply concerned about the unprecedented scale and speed of global warming and its potential for large-scale, adverse health, social, economic and ecological effects, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate recognizes the scientific consensus that global warming is real and is largely caused by humans, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate further recognizes the need to reduce the global emission of greenhouse gases by 80% by mid-century at the latest, in order to avert the worst impacts of global warming and to reestablish the more stable climatic conditions that have made human progress over the last 10,000 years possible, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate believes that, despite the short-term challenges, there will be greater short-, medium-, and long-term economic, health, social and environmental benefits, including achieving energy independence for the U.S. as quickly as possible, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate believes colleges and universities must exercise leadership in their communities and throughout society by modeling ways to minimize global warming emissions, and by providing the knowledge and the educated graduates to achieve climate neutrality, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate believes that campuses that address the climate challenge by reducing global warming emissions and by integrating sustainability into their curriculum will better serve their students and meet their social mandate to help create a thriving, ethical and civil society, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate believes that these colleges and universities will be providing students with the knowledge and skills needed to address the critical, systemic challenges faced by the world in this new century and enable them to benefit from the economic opportunities that will arise as a result of solutions they develop, and
Whereas, the Academic Senate further believes that colleges and universities that exert leadership in addressing climate change will stabilize and reduce their long-term energy costs, attract excellent students and faculty, attract new sources of funding, and increase the support of alumni and local communities, and
Whereas, the American Colleges and University Presidents Climate Commitment, a program of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education, provides an effective and appropriate vehicle to achieve these goals,
Therefore, be it resolved,
That the Academic Senate formally recommends to President F. King Alexander that he sign the American Colleges and University Presidents Climate Commitment on behalf of California State University, Long Beach.
