Top 5 Green Colleges in the United States
Top 5 green colleges according to Sierra Club are UCI, AU, Dickinson college, Loyola University, and Lewis & Clark college.
Today, many businesses are taking sustainability into consideration and rethinking the impact they have on the environment. They are making sustainability part of their business model, all while educating and bringing awareness about the green future to their employees as well as their customers. This is a win for all of us considering the consequences we will face now and in the future because of climate change. We need more businesses to take part in building a sustainable future.
Not only are businesses setting examples but colleges are doing the same. Many colleges are encouraging their students to rethink the way they interact with their surroundings. Whether it is by installing water taps around the campus or by offering food made with local ingredients colleges want students to think green. Below are top 5 green colleges according to Sierra Club:
University of California, Irvine (UCI)
Back in 2008, UCI pledged to improve its energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. They were able to reach their target 7 years early! Due to its water recycling program, the school saves more than 20 million gallons per year.
AU is the first university to reach carbon neutrality! Its electricity comes from 100% renewable sources and it has kept 10,000 passenger vehicles off the road per year!!
In April 2020, Dickinson college will officially announce that it has reached its goal to be carbon neutral college. Dickinson’s 80-acre of USDA certified organic farm provides food to the campus and the local community.
Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University has 3,100 square foot research greenhouse where students learn about urban agriculture. The school offers environmental bachelor’s programs and masters programs. They also have extensive recycling and composting programs.At least 25% of ingredients (almost all of them organic) served on the campus are sourced from within 100 miles. The school is solar-powered. Seafood served at the cafeterias meet Marine Stewardship Council standards while the meat is hormone and antibiotic-free.
You can read the full list of Green Colleges by Sierra club here:
https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/slideshow/top-ten-coolest-schools-2014
You can learn about the Princeton Review’s Green colleges here:
https://www.princetonreview.com/college-rankings/green-guide
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