Table of Contents

1. 350: A New Year's Resolution for the Planet
2. Block Grants for Energy Efficiency and Conservation
3. National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions Engages Community in Discussion of Goals and Solutions
4. Columbus State Community College Takes First Step to Developing a Climate Action Plan, Tackling Energy Efficiency First

350: A New Year's Resolution for the Planet

Last year around this time, America's most recognized climate scientist, Jim Hansen, drew a new line in the sand for our climate: 350 parts per million CO2 -- as graphically illustrated in the animation linked to at left. What's new and different about this number is that we have already passed it at our current 387 ppm, and that number is rising 2 ppm per year on average. The melting of the Arctic fifty years ahead of schedule and other accelerating impacts prompted climate scientists to rethink our climate's sensitivity to the buildup of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere... Read more.

Block Grants for Energy Efficiency and Conservation

Earlier this year, we initiated a new collaboration between The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) and the ACUPCC to examine ways to work together cooperatively to advance our shared climate and sustainability goals. The ACUPCC staff are working with USCM leaders and staff to explore ways we can support these shared efforts, including encouraging your mayor or others in your region who may not yet have signed the Mayors Climate Protection Agreement to do so. There is now high likelihood that the new Obama Administration will propose and Congress will enact a national economic recovery plan that will include new federal funding commitments aimed at reducing energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The USCM has made funding of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program a key element of its MainStreet Economic Recovery Plan. Specifically, the Conference is urging a $5-$10 billion funding commitment to this program, a USCM-led initiative that was adopted as part of the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act... Read more.

National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions Engages Community in Discussion of Goals and Solutions

Campus outreach and education is a key part of the President's Climate Commitment, but it is not always easy. The National Teach-In on Global Warming Solutions is a terrific opportunity to highlight the progress of your campus towards meeting the obligations of the President's Climate Commitment and engage the broader community in a discussion of goals and solutions. Set for Thursday, February 5th, close to 500 colleges, universities, and other institutions are already participating: see if your school has a team already signed up... Read more.

Columbus State Community College Takes First Step to Developing a Climate Action Plan, Tackling Energy Efficiency First

Columbus State Community College is currently in the process of completing its comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Rather than wait until September 15, 2009 when its CAP is due, the College decided to roll up its sleeves and begin planning and executing projects on an incremental basis to help achieve its goal of carbon neutrality. The first important goal of the 24,000-student community college is to cut energy use by 20 percent by 2014, compared with 2004 levels. In November 2008, College President Val Moeller presented an ambitious Energy Efficiency Plan to the Board of Trustees. The plan calls for projects in 12 different categories to be completed by 2014 at a cost of $6.1 million. If successful, the College will achieve an annual savings of approximately $850,000 and a reduction in mmBTU of 45,371, or 24%... Read more.