In his Encyclical Letter Laudato Si, On Care for Our Common Home, Pope Francis challenges us to take better care of the Earth and all of its biodiversity to better serve all humanity. To that end there is a trend of many college campuses to reduce their carbon footprint, reduce emissions, and be more energy efficient. The unintended consequence is a reduction in ‘hidden expenses’ of maintenance and energy costs. In some instances it has created opportunities for students to participate in research and projects and be better prepared to find employment in the growing green economy.
Elder, James L. “Higher Education and the Clean Energy, Green Economy.” EDUCAUSE Review 44, no. 6 (2009): 108-109.
Parikh, Mihir, Kyle Nagel, Joel Freehling and Craig and Schiller. “Driving Energy Efficiency through Higher Education Collaboration.” Accessed 1/2017.
Pearce, Joshua M. and Laura L. Miller. “Energy Service Companies as a Component of a Comprehensive University Sustainability Strategy.” International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education 7, no. 1 (2006): 16-33.
University of New Hampshire: Sightlines. The State of Sustainability in Higher Education: Emissions Metrics, Consumption Trends & Strategies for Success, 2016.
Weisbord, Dano. “Greening the Bottom Line: The Trend Toward Green Revolving Funds on Campus.” Sustainable Endowments Institute (NJ1) (2011).