Universities Green For Many Purposes

Universities across the country are leading the way in implementing sustainable measures, from green building to carbon emission reduction. Universities are the new canvas for environmentalists, but the universities' motivation is not just about saving the planet.

"The greening of academe is nothing new, but it seems to have taken root in a big way. Today, it's not just about doing a few good, green things -- recycling, buying green energy, building green buildings, and all the rest -- and it's not just about saving money or being seen as a good neighbor. It's about being seen as a sustainability leader in order to attract students, funding, and media attention. As a result, in a growing number of schools, 'green' has become the Big Meme on Campus."

"When viewed through a green lens, colleges and universities are, in fact, businesses. A decent-sized school can combine the environmental footprint of a myriad of operations: office buildings, hotels, food service, laundry, retail, vehicle repair and maintenance, energy production, waste hauling, construction, health care, even road building and small manufacturing. And if there is scientific research going on, it may involve a witch's brew of hazardous chemicals and materials, from urethane to uranium."

"Forget a business. A college is actually more like a small city."