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UMass Amherst Climate Action Plan
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January 14, 2010
Dear Campus Community
In the past few years, concerns of global climate change and its effects on our planet have become increasingly numerous and urgent. In response the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) was established to address global climate change by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions and by accelerating the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth's climate. In 2007, University of Massachusetts President Jack Wilson committed the entire UMass system to work together to fulfill this commitment.
Today, I am happy to present the campus's Climate Action Plan - electronically at www.umass.edu/green or for review at the DuBois Library's Reserve Desk. Compiled by the Environmental Performance Advisory Committee (EPAC), the Climate Action Plan describes initiatives that we have already undertaken to combat global climate change and how the campus community will work together to fulfill the goal of the ACUPCC as we move toward a more sustainable future. Even though carbon neutrality is a lofty goal, especially for an institution our size, we are dedicated to developing innovative ideas and technologies that will help us achieve this goal.
I would like to express my grateful appreciation to the many people who dedicated a great deal of time not only to produce the Climate Action Plan, but also to create the synergy necessary to vigorously address issues of campus sustainability. The Climate Action Plan was compiled through the collaborative effort of over 100 students, faculty and staff, it reflects ideas that stretch across a broad spectrum of the campus community. The Plan is a testament to what can be accomplished when we work together.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Holub
Chancellor
