Climate conference explores ways to reduce carbon footprint at colleges
The University of Miami is welcoming leaders from institutions across the nation this week at the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit to share ideas on combating the climate crisis. The University formed its own sustainability goals with the help of Second Nature 16 years ago, when it committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, said Teddy L’Houtellier, the University’s director of sustainability. Last year, the University ranked No. 8 on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s top 30 college and universities list for the largest green power users. The University also joined the EPA’s Green Power Partnership program for its environmental leadership. “The challenges that we need to address with the climate crisis will require a strong collective effort, and that’s what Second Nature and the Intentional Endowment Network are for,” L’Houtellier said. “I’m thrilled to meet with all my colleagues who are working so hard on making their respective campus carbon neutral.” On the final day of the conference Tuesday, three faculty members from the University will host a session titled “Emerging Resilience Research within the Climate Resilience Academy.”