SGA Sustainability Committee
What does SSC hope to accomplish this year?
Last year, the Student Sustainability Committee accomplished many things to make our state, community and campus more green and sustainable, promoting local recycling, carbon nuetral power on campus and clean energy across Maryland. This year, SSC hopes to march even farther down the path of sustainability and environmental justice to restart (and revamp) fossil fuel divestment, as well as continue pushing for local and statewide environmental health initiatives.
A few things to look forwards to this year:
In 2007, the University System of Maryland pledged to become carbon neutral by signing the American College and University President’s Climate Commitment. Each institution acknowledged the threat of climate change and indicated their dedication to fighting the fossil fuel industry. We, the undersigned, sincerely commend these efforts, but cannot ignore one glaring omission: investments in the Fossil Fuel Industry. If we pledge to make our institutions themselves carbon neutral, the funding for those institutions should be carbon neutral as well. As fossil fuels continue to be burned, global temperatures will continue to rise, and the effects of climate change will become increasingly prominent and increasingly destructive to the planet and to human civilization. The University System of Maryland should not be profiting off of this destruction. Thus, we urge the University System of Maryland to remove its investments from dirty energy sources: coal, oil, and natural gas, and redirect those investment to clean energy portfolios.
As public pressure to confront climate change builds, we call on the University System of Maryland (USM) to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil fuel companies, and to divest within five years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil fuel public equities and corporate bonds. We ask for redirecting those funds to invest in clean, renewable energy companies. We believe such action on behalf of the USM will not only be a sound decision for our institution’s financial portfolio, but also for the wellbeing of its current and future graduating classes, who deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos, but instead rooted in climate justice.
Sustainability Mini Grants
Sustainability Mini Grants will provide small grants (up to $1,000) to encourage the development or maintenance of projects or programs that IMPROVE the sustainability of the UMD campus and/or enhance opportunities for students to learn about sustainability issues. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to apply. SSC will review applications as they are received (on a rolling basis) and applicants will receive a funding decision within 30 days of submitting a complete application. A total of $5,000 is available each semester. Projects requesting more than $1,000 must apply through the University Sustainability Fund.
Other Initiatives
Campaign to Ban Fracking in Maryland
Last spring, SSC joined forces with CCAN, Food & Water Watch, Sierra Club, and other environmnetal and health organizations to support the Protect our Health and Communities Act, stipulating a moratorium on fracking in the state of Maryland. SSC members lobbied state delegates and senators in Annapolis, gathered about 500 student signatures in support of the moratorium and rallied for the protection of our rights to clean air and water. The bill passed with a two-year moratorium on fracking. Now, environmnetalists and public health advocates are pressing for a ban on fracking.
Reclassification of chicken waste
Waste=chicken poop. It's currently causing eutrophication and a host of other environmental problems in the Chesapeake Bay, from tier 1 renewable energy (on par with wind and solar) to tier 2 renewable energy (akin to geothermal power). Check out Food & Water Watch for more information.
Join our listserv for campus updates, events and sustainability opportunities