State of the University Address Focuses on Sustainability

Adopted from the Cornell Daily Sun, dated June 9, 2007:

Skorton talked about the importance of sustainability, saying that the world needs economic growth that will not inhibit future generations. Cornell students, he said, have been especially effective on issues of sustainability on and off campus. In February, Skorton signed the student-prepared Kyoto Now! resolution, which calls for a reformed energy policy that will commit to carbon neutrality. Cornell Center for the Environment promotes interdisciplinary studies that focus on sustainability as well.

The President also remarked that many of Cornell’s colleges, including the College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Johson Graduate School of Management, list sustainability and the environment as among the most important issues to study.

This affects the student experience on campus, Skorton said. He mentioned two student groups – the Solar Decathlon Team and Engineers for a Sustainable World – that have each worked towards sustainability.

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