The importance of carbon-neutrality at Colby

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak with Sandy Beauregard, the Director of Sustainability, about the College's carbon-neutral initiatives and their importance

Before diving into what the College is doing to address carbon neutrality, it is important to define it. 

Carbon neutrality can be two things. Firstly, it can mean achieving an equilibrium between output and input of carbon emission. It can also mean not emitting any carbon dioxide altogether. Carbon dioxide, of course, is a leading cause of rising temperatures, as humans emit an overabundance of it into the atmosphere. 

The scope of the issue is big; a college campus is obviously a big producer of emissions. Hence, that is why the College has made it a priority to pursue carbon neutrality. In fact, the College was officially carbon neutral in 2013, and they began their efforts in 1999. 

"Offsetting our environmental footprint is a natural goal for a college that includes sustainability as a core value." Green Colby's website states.

Throughout campus, we can see these efforts. For example, walking through Diamond, the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard that the College adapted is visible. 

From recycled carpeting and wallboard, to occupancy sensors, to touch-screen displays, Diamond is truly a “green” building. 

However, unlike Diamond, many of the College's efforts go unnoticed. For example, the heightened composting and recycling methods on campus are easily noticeable, but what may not be as clear is the administration's efforts to collaborate with landfills that participate in methane recapture. 

As for the goals of the College's carbon-neutral plan, the administration hoped to establish the school as a leader in environmental issues. The aforementioned actions clearly show this has been accomplished. 

According to the Green Colby's website, “More than 600 college and university presidents have signed the American College and University Presidents' Climate Commitment.” Green Colby’s website notes, “Colby is one of only three colleges or universities that currently are carbon-neutral.” 

On a final note, it is important, as students, that we become conscious of the College's environmental efforts and start reflecting how they affect our own lives. By educating ourselves, we can accomplish the College's goals on an individual level.

~Adrian Visscher `24