University Sustainability Initiatives
University Signs Climate Agreement
Maharishi University of Management joined over 300 colleges and universities across the U.S. in signing a climate agreement pledging to eliminate campus greenhouse emissions over time. University President Dr. Bevan Morris signed the American College and University Presidents Climate. The University is a “Charter Signatory,” meaning it is among the first group of institutions to sign the agreement.
Presidents who sign the Climate Agreement are committing to:
- Completing an emissions inventory
- Within two years, setting a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
- Taking immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by choosing from a list of short-term actions, including integrating sustainability into the curriculum and making it part of the educational experience.
- Making the action plan, inventory, and progress reports publicly available.
“One of our University’s original seven goals when we were founded in 1971 was ‘To maximize the intelligent use of the environment,’” said Dr. Craig Pearson, Executive Vice-President. “The University has already been taking specific steps be a greener campus, such as use of geothermal heating and cooling and growing our own organic produce. Our Sustainable Living program is the first program of its kind in the country and our largest undergraduate major. And there is strong interest in doing everything we can to be environmentally friendly. So signing this agreement was a natural next step.”
Dr. Pearson said the University’s commitment goes far beyond these steps. He cites the unique system of Consciousness-Based education, which entails practice of the Transcendental Meditation program. Research has shown that practice of these programs brings individual life into accord with Natural Law, as shown in improved health, happiness, and well being, along with growth of creativity, intelligence, and moral maturity.
The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment is a high-visibility effort to address global warming by garnering institutional commitments to neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, and to accelerate the research and educational efforts of higher education to equip society to re-stabilize the earth’s climate.
It provides a framework and support for America’s colleges and universities to become climate neutral. The Commitment recognizes the unique responsibility that institutions of higher education have as role models for their communities and in training the people who will develop the social, economic, and technological solutions to reverse global warming.
back to top