Houghton Climate Action Plan Comes to Life

As a new member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Houghton College is stepping into action by composing a Climate Action Plan.

The AASHE is a supporting organization of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) that sets the target of "no net greenhouse gas emissions" for member institutions. Its mission is to "accelerate progress towards climate neutrality and sustainability by empowering the higher education sector to educate students, create solutions, and provide leadership-by-example for the rest of society."

In order to reach this goal, the Creation Care Committee has created several sub-committees to examine and improve upon different aspects of life within the Houghton community, and to eventually organize a Climate Action Plan to establish climate neutrality. The different sub-groups include: Food/Solid Waste, Communications, Curriculum and Research, Energy, and the Transportation Committee. Seniors Olivia Butz and Colleen White both serve as student members on the Creation Care Committee, as well as serving on the Communications and Food/Solid Waste working groups, respectively. Student Senate named Senator Gordon Brown, Senator Austin Rudd, and Mr. Adam Reinhardt to serve as student representatives to the other three groups during the January 18th meeting.

In addition to changes in Houghton policy, the plan is also aimed at creating awareness on campus. Olivia Butz says of student's involvement: "I think it will be beneficial if students are also willing to take their part – doing simple things like making sure to recycle while on campus, in common buildings and in campus housing, to make sure lights are used only when they need to be used, and in perhaps, more challenging ways—to make it a point to compost food off campus, to be willing to use less water when showering, and to being willing and open to have 'sustainability' incorporated in some measure into Houghton's curriculum."

"Really what this project is aiming to do is to trim and shape parts of the college that are in excess, making things more efficient and using our money better. It's about using our resources more wisely. I hope that everyone will be flexible and keep an open mind about some of the things that will be happening, because I believe the changes will be important and worth any small sacrifices in the long run," says Colleen White.

What makes Houghton's Climate Action Plan unique is its commitment to ‘Creation Care', or the "responsibility of stewarding and nurturing the marvelous gift of God's creation." President Shirley Mullen reflects the connection with our Christian conviction in saying: "This program encourages us to explore the variety of ways in which our particular institution can most appropriately honor God's call to steward the Creation. It is an opportunity to cooperate with other colleges and universities in a cause where, together, we really can make a difference."    

Olivia Butz also explains the call to action in similar terms: "Change in policy doesn't necessarily imply a change in consideration or affection, so I am hoping that there is a renewal among Houghton students who desire to honor God and God's creation by taking responsible care of it in our current context and broader community."