As discussed Monday, 26 February 2007.

Whereas Cornell University has committed itself to the concept of sustainability, which means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, and;

Whereas Cornell University recognizes the threat posed by climate change to our health, environment and global economy and that it must address this issue as it strives to achieve sustainability, and

Whereas Cornell University became the first academic institution in the United States to commit to the Kyoto Protocol when it signed on to the agreement in 2001, and;

Whereas the diligent efforts of the administration, staff, faculty and students have resulted in a cut in global warming pollution that puts the University on track to meet the targets in the Kyoto Protocol, and;

Whereas Cornell University recognizes the urgent need to move beyond the initial steps taken to meet the requirements set forth in the Kyoto Protocol, and;

Whereas President David Skorton has put Cornell University at the leading edge of the movement by academic institutions to address global warming by committing Cornell to climate neutrality through the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment (PCC), an initiative recently launched by Second Nature and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE), and;

Whereas over 4,700 student signatures, more than 90 faculty signatures, 17 student organizational sponsorships and two departmental endorsements have been gathered in support of a carbon neutral Cornell, and;

Whereas many graduate & professional students are currently engaged in courses, research, workshops, student organizations and leadership positions to understand the impacts of climate change and find ways to alleviate it, but graduate & professional students have yet to come together to make a more sustainable Cornell, and;

Whereas the achievement of carbon neutrality for Cornell’s Ithaca campus will require involvement from the entire community,

Be it therefore resolved that the Graduate Student and Professional Assembly (GPSA) endorses the laudable goals outlined in the PCC and the effort to make Cornell carbon neutral, and

Be it further resolved that as members of the Cornell community we shall, before the end of the Fall 2007 semester, investigate avenues the GPSA can pursue to support Cornell University in its effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions and take tangible action before the end of the Spring 2008 semester.

Be it further resolved that this resolution be sent to President David Skorton, Vice President of Finance Stephen Golding, Sustainability Coordinator Dean Koyanagi, and the Chairs of the University Assembly.

Respectfully Submitted,

Emily Rochon
GPSA Council Representative,
Environmental Toxicology

Michael Jay Walsh
Vice President,
Graduate & Professional Student Assembly