Billion Dollar Green Challenge for Colleges & Universities | via @Sustainablog

Solar panels on a building at Worcester Polytechnic Institute

With news reports covering everything from extreme heat to frigid freezes, there’s no denying our planet is going through some changes we’ve never before experienced in our lifetimes. That being said, it’s clear that it’s now more important than ever before to stay aware of how our actions are affecting the planet. We need to mindfully take steps to reduce the harm reverse the damage that’s been done.

In response to these needs, a number of colleges and universities across North America are now participating in the Billion Dollar Green Challenge, an initiative that strives to make campuses greener, more efficient entities. Presently, there are over 40 participating organizations across the U.S. and Canada and range all the way from Harvard to Stanford to Green Mountain College.

The basis of the challenge is for colleges, universities and non-profits to invest a combined total of one billion dollars (hence the title) into green improvements. However, these aren’t just normal, everyday investments. The challenge wants the organizations to use self-managed “green revolving funds” as these will help create a cycle of energy efficiency for the entities.

The main idea is that the money in these funds goes toward improvements that improve energy efficiency and decrease resource use. Basically, as organizations continually do this, they will see a decrease in their harmful emissions and a savings in their operating expenses. In turn, they are to re-invest the savings into the GRF so that it has a continual flow of funds. From updating the water system, to changing the equipment that is used to maintain the campus grounds, there are numerous areas of improvement where GRFs can be applied