Wind Power Now!

Columbia University has a great opportunity to fulfill its role as a responsible and innovative institution, especially in the areas of clean energy and sustainability.

Global warming is one of the biggest issues facing the world today.  Our generation will be the most impacted by its consequences.  Considering that the University receives its energy almost exclusively from non-renewable sources that contribute to climate change, purchasing wind energy would greatly enhance campus sustainability.  Little could reduce the University’s ecological footprint more simply or effectively than switching to a renewable source for our electricity.

Columbia University buys its energy from ConEd.  Consumers can now buy wind energy directly through ConEd.  NYU made such an agreement with ConEd in October 2006, which costs them less than three dollars per month per student.  More than three hundred other U.S. colleges and universities are adopting similar energy policies.

Today we propose that Columbia University adopt a Clean Energy Policy.  This would involve a formal commitment that, by the end of the Spring 2007 semester, the University will purchase 25% of its electrical needs from wind. By the end of the Fall 2007 semester, we ask that the University purchase 50% of its energy needs from wind. By the end of the Spring 2008 semester, 100% of our electricity will come from wind.  We call on the University to adopt such a long-range plan to reduce its global warming pollution to zero, beginning with a campus carbon audit and a report outlining the steps and timeline needed to become carbon-neutral.

SEEJ (Students for Environmental and Economic Justice) has taken an active role in creating student awareness of our current energy sources and the benefits of switching to wind energy.  Now we are asking the student community to join us.

Be a part of our Wind Power Now! campaign, where we will:

• Create an online petition for students/faculty/staff to sign their support
• Develop working relationships with faculty
• Write articles to The Spectator and other media
• Petition student government and forge connections with other student groups
• Bolster positive communication with the administration
• Mobilize the student body
• Create lasting change and have fun doing it!
• And more…. J

How to Join:
          Wind Power Now! is a SEEJ campaign.  SEEJ meetings start at 9:00 in Earl Hall.  We discuss both labor and environmental issues.  Work on Wind Power Now! follows the collective SEEJ meeting at approximately 9:30.  Sign up for the listserv, SEEJ-Climate@columbia.edu, to participate and keep abreast of what we’re doing.