ASM Calls for a Commitment to Renewable Energy on Campus
Posted: 2020-11-20 23:57:47 Expiration: 2050-11-29 02:57:47
Associated Students of Madison
333 East Campus Mall, 4301 Student Activity Center, Madison, WI
Website: asm.wisc.edu Phone: 608/265-4ASM
E-mail: press@asm.wisc.edu
ASM Calls for a Commitment to Renewable Energy on Campus
MADISON, WI — On Tuesday, the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) unanimously voted in favor for the Resolution Calling for a Renewable Energy Commitment.
The legislation specifically calls on Chancellor Rebecca Blank to sign the American College and University Presidents’ Carbon and Climate Commitments to ensure UW-Madison is dedicated to pursuing renewable energy. Additionally, the legislation affirms ASM’s commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and 100% total renewable energy by 2035.
The return of UW-Madison as a leader in sustainability is a crucial part of the Commitments’ success. 431 out of 436 universities and colleges have signed the Carbon and Climate Commitments. This institution cannot claim to teach students how to combat the climate crisis if it is not addressing its disproportionate impacts here in Madison first. If the City of Madison can commit to 100% renewable energy and a net-zero carbon goal for city operations by 2030, then there is absolutely no reason why UW-Madison cannot do the same.
ASM Sustainability Chair Natalie Tinsen had this to say regarding the legislation: “Renewable energy not only benefits our environment, but it benefits our campus community. To see the 27th Session of ASM unanimously pass this resolution calling for 100% renewable electricity by 2030 and renewable energy by 2035, this demand is further emphasized. It is clear that students want to see UW change to become sustainable campus and that means committing to 100% renewable energy and electricity.”
Marina Minic, Campus Leaders for Energy Action Now (CLEAN) Executive Board Member, shared how “UW-Madison has a long history in environmental excellence and progressivism. Unfortunately, as the battle against climate change rages on, our university has fallen behind in this fight. We are the worst in the Big 10 when it comes to fuel emissions and we continue to source energy from coal plants, making UW complicit in racial inequities across the state. Committing to transition to 100% clean and renewable energy by 2035 would help to restore our lost environmental legacy and lead us towards a cleaner and more equitable future for all.”
Student Council meets next on Tuesday, December 1 at 7:00 p.m.
-- Associated Students of Madison: Matthew Mitnick