Climate
This section reflects the Alliance’s goals, especially #1:
Protect the natural environment on which our communities depend
Climate is something that affects us all. Global warming is already having effects on our climate & weather, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are increasing at a rate that are likely to cause catastrophic changes in the future. We can mitigate the effects by reducing the use of fossil fuels—by reducing waste, relocalizing production, reducing the number of unnecessary vehicle trips, converting to more-efficient transportation, and converting to organic farming. Climate Protection Agreements are commitments by governments and institutions to reduce GHG emissions and promote sustainable communities.
If climate is one of your interests, we invite you to join the ClimateAction email group.
Several Lehigh Valley municipalities and organizations have adopted climate protection agreements…→
Below you will find articles pertaining to climate topics.
It’s Symbiosis, Stupid
We, the people, get it. Why not our “Leaders”? We are just back from the February DC rally—Forward on Climate—attended with 40,000+ of our friends and neighbors. Marching past the White House. Past the fence where, several days before, 350.org’s … more
Moravian College at the United Nations Climate Negotiations
In 2009, Moravian College became one of a handful of small liberal arts colleges accredited to participate in the annual United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) conference as civil society observers. The convention is a treaty that emerged … more
Social Research | Social Justice Conference
A unique and excellent addition to the Lehigh Valley’s offerings, the Social Research Social Justice Conference began in 2003 as a collaboration between faculty and students in the Department of Media and Communication at Muhlenberg College, with the goal to … more
Commit to Leadership in Sustainability
The benefits of making a clear commitment can be dramatic, especially over the long term. When students, faculty, staff, and alumni know that the college or university is making a broad and comprehensive commitment to sustainability, they are more likely … more
Endowment Investments with High Return & Ultra-Low Risk
This is another no-brainer. Recently, colleges and universities have been earning an average 6–8% return on their endowment funds. Most facilities projects to reduce energy & greenhouse gas emissions [GHG] have a 5–7 year payback — a 14%–20% return—which means … more
‘Green Revolving Funds’
A ‘Green Revolving Fund’ provides funds for small projects such as the one described above, projects that will make the college or university more sustainable and, in most cases, pay for itself by reducing expenses for energy. Any project that … more
Open Letter to College Presidents & Trustees
Many colleges have made real progress towards campus sustainability, but in my opinion we can and should do more — and you should make sure your people realize that investing in sustainability make a dramatic improvement in your budget! The … more
Turn Down the Heat infographic
Sustainability Questions for Students & Educators
To make good decisions about sustainability, people need to know the facts. Here are some questions that have arisen and might be suitable for class projects or independent study: What steps can local & county government take to produce immediate reductions in … more
Your Health Is the Result of Decisions Made by Others
There seems to be a renewed awareness and discussion of the intimate connections between your health and decisions made by others — in government and private business — about how to grow food, use of chemical pesticides, industrial products, and … more