U of A Commits to Address Climate Change in Advance of Earth Day

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — University of Arkansas Chancellor Joseph E. Steinmetz signed the Second Nature Climate Commitment on April 13th, 2016.

The U of A was one of the original institutions to sign The American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment in February, 2007, a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on campuses across the country. The U of A is already ahead of schedule on its commitment, having reduced emissions to 1995 levels, despite increased enrollment and the addition of several new buildings.

The Second Nature Climate Commitment goes beyond the earlier commitment, adding an additional focus on planning for a changing climate and resulting extreme weather events. Campus sustainability representatives will continue to collaborate with surrounding communities to ensure their ability to adapt to changes in climate. The commitment was signed to demonstrate the university’s continued leadership in pursuing a sustainable future.

The Second Nature Climate Leadership Statement describes the importance of leadership in climate resiliency: “We recognize that mitigation and adaptation are complementary strategies for reducing the likelihood of unmanageable change, managing the risks, and taking advantage of new opportunities created by our changing climate.”