Student environmental groups have twice called for Steger to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. These commitments are focused on getting colleges around the country more involved in reducing their levels of carbon. Steger did not sign these agreements.
However, Tech, as Steger recently stated, will soon be on its way to developing its very own campus sustainability plan.
A board for the overall planning and designing, within the Energy and Sustainability committee, has been formed. It is chaired by John Randolph, professor and director of the School of Public and International Affairs in the College of Architecture and Urban Studies.
"There is no silver bullet," Randolph said. "Not one thing that will move us toward a sustainable campus." He said the university needs to focus on three things.
First, "the campus physical facilities including buildings, steam plant, chiller systems ... There are huge opportunities for efficiency improvements that will reduce emissions and save money that can be invested in further improvements," Randolph said.
Second, "The academic programs: especially instruction, curriculum, research and outreach," Randolph said. And third, "Campus and student life: including dining and residence halls, commuting, personal choice and behavior."
This new plan will be conducted by the Committee of Energy and Sustainability and will be in full effect by the end of the 2009 spring semester.
The Virginia Tech Climate Action Commitment, as it is named, will help to better the university's sustainability plan by implementing ways to make it specific to Tech and its campus. As noted in a Virginia Tech news release, the new plan will not only affect the community, but the university as a whole, including its policies, operations and budget.
Once the committee develops a draft plan, it will be submitted to Steger and the Commission on University Support by the end of the fall 2008 semester. Once it is approved by the commission, the draft will be submitted to the University Council, and should be up and running by spring 2009.
"In my view, having President Steger's support up front is critical and the most important thing the university can do to make the greatest difference," said Dennis Cochrane, Energy and Sustainability Coordinator for Virginia Tech.
The staff of the new committee includes students, faculty and staff who are knowledgeable and engaged in sustainable activities.
"Some students are already extremely committed and if the administration of the university is committed, I think more students will catch on," Randolph said.
Based on energy-use data from 2000 through 2006 gathered from local utilities, Tech and the Town of Blacksburg produce 780 kilotons of greenhouse gases each year. Of that total, town government operations accounted for only 36 kilotons, the lowest of all sectors measured. The largest creator of greenhouse gases in Blacksburg was Tech, which releases 280 kilotons per year.
As the campus begins a challenge to lower global warming emissions, city officials in Blacksburg and Roanoke have already taken significant measures in assessing the levels of carbon. Not only have officials evaluated the amounts of emissions, but the two are working together on ways to reduce the quantity of carbon. Blacksburg has signed the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Agreement, pledging to lower its emissions to 1990-levels by the year 2012.
The International Council on Local Environmental Initiatives has recognized Blacksburg and Roanoke for their tremendous efforts, and honored them for completing the comprehensive inventories of their communities' greenhouse gas emissions.
"Climate action and sustainability may be the biggest challenge of the century and like other societal problems, universities must play a leadership role in demonstrating to the rest of society that we can all rise to the challenge," Randolph said.
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