Rationale for a Sustainability Plan
Why sustainability?
Sustainability promises to become a defining issue for our generation. Characteristically restrained specialists tell us our response affects the very survival of humanity. We have worked hard to define sustainability, but sustainability may well define us. During financially difficult times, we are tempted to limit sustainability to economic solvency, just as we have focused on environmental issues in times of prosperity. The challenge is to balance what is good for the planet with what is possible given our available resources.
Why sustainability at Colorado College?
The Colorado College mission commits us to provide the finest liberal arts education in the country by embodying our core values. Among our core values are to live with integrity; serve as stewards of the traditions and resources of Colorado College; nurture a sense of place and an ethic of environmental sustainability; encourage engagement and social responsibility at local, national and global levels; and seek excellence, constantly assessing our policies and programs. Sustainability isn't optional for the Colorado College community; it's who we are and how we have defined ourselves.
In addition to being true to our mission and core values, marketing surveys indicate that Colorado College students are more concerned about social justice and the environment than almost any students across the country. This strengthens our desire to promote those values that allow our students to assume leadership roles that are fostered by a Colorado College education.
Why sustainability now?
Some have questioned whether the global financial crisis and college budget restraints threaten our commitment to sustainability. On the contrary, the Campus Sustainability Council sees our current situation as an opportunity to change wasteful habits and pursue ever more innovative solutions for managing resources. On one hand, we understand the need to postpone initiatives with higher price tags or longer payback periods. On the other hand, we believe the time for a grassroots campaign to green the College and save natural and financial resources is now more important than ever.
In 2009, the Campus Sustainability Council appealed to our community to reconsider the ecological implications of how we go about our work and lives here at Colorado College. Concurrently, we will look for technological solutions that yield immediate savings. While most parts of the sustainability plan are cost-neutral, we propose many changes that will reduce our expenses and suggest a significant change in how we obtain our campus energy in order to stabilize our uncertain future energy costs.
At all times, the College must act in a socially responsible manner in the way it treats and compensates its staff and maintains the diversity of students that we recruit remembering that we provide a model for the future actions of students and our surrounding community. The CSC believes that sustainability is financial prudence practiced all times, not just in times of financial troubles. Effective environmental action always makes good economic sense.