Today marks a milestone in the relationship between governments, businesses, and non-governmental organizations worldwide. After more than seven years, the Kyoto Protocol comes into force this week. This important first step puts the global community on a path towards slowing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and ultimately reducing emissions to a level that will not have an impact on the earth's climate.
Tufts Climate Initiative (TCI) applauds the signatories for their vision and their willingness to work across boundaries to find solutions to a problem that poses a global threat. Tufts University has agreed to meet the constraints of the Protocol, and TCI continues to work towards that goal. To meet the goals of the agreement, Tufts must reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012.
TCI and its many campus partners, especially those in the Facilities and Construction departments, are working hard to meet these requirements. Thanks to their dedicated work, electricity usage (a main component of campus emissions) has now leveled off on the Medford campus. The commitment of the Tufts operations staff has made this possible, and their work is to be commended.
While TCI has made important strides towards this goal, we still need the help of the Tufts community to help us reach our target. There are several easy things you can do to reduce Tufts' emissions:
* Drive less. Take the campus shuttle, or walk to your destination.
* Remember to turn the lights off and shut down your computer if you're going to be away from your dorm room or office for an extended period of time.
* Be sure the windows in your building are closed. If you see one open, close it!
TCI is proud to salute the visionary world leaders, as well as our own staff climate heroes, who have agreed to combat global climate change and we look forward to continuing to do our part here on the Tufts campus.
Sarah Hammond Creighton, Project Manager
Ramsay Huntley, Research Associate
