ATLANTA (Sept. 17, 2007) -- Agnes Scott has joined colleges and universities across the nation in a leadership commitment to environmental sustainability by becoming a charter signatory of the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment http://www.presidentsclimatecommitment.org/.
“The fight against global warming is one of the central challenges of the 21st century,” said Agnes Scott President Elizabeth Kiss. “Colleges and universities have a special obligation to tackle this issue because by doing so we model environmental responsibility for the next generation.
“At Agnes Scott we strive to educate women to think deeply, live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their time,” Kiss added. “So this commitment resonates deeply with our core mission.”
By joining the initiative, Agnes Scott pledges to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions campus wide over time. Key components of this process include completing a full inventory of these emissions within 12 months and setting in place within two years a plan with a target date and interim milestones for becoming climate neutral.
In addition, Agnes Scott will take immediate steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions according to options defined in the Presidents Climate Commitment and will incorporate sustainability into the curriculum and overall educational experience of students.
To direct the process, the college is announcing the appointment of Susan Kidd as senior adviser for sustainability. Kidd will take on this role on Oct. 1 as she completes the R. Howard Dobbs Sustainability Scholar-in-Residence position at Emory University.
Kidd, who graduated from Agnes Scott in 1978 and earned a master’s degree in teaching (M.A.T.) secondary English from the school in 2007, has more than two decades of experience in the environmental field. She served most recently as senior vice president for the Georgia Conservancy where she managed a variety of land, water and air protection programs, including Mothers & Others for Clean Air and Blueprints for Successful Communities. Kidd also holds a master’s degree in environmental law from the Vermont Law School.
“It is an exciting opportunity for me to return to Agnes Scott, where students, faculty and staff are already organizing to be leaders in campus sustainability," Kidd said recently.
"I am fortunate to be able to combine my experience in environmental protection with my commitment to help educational institutions thrive despite the many complex issues they face today," Kidd said. "It is very important for Georgia that both Agnes Scott and Emory can work together as leaders in sustainability.”
Over the past year, Agnes Scott has launched the Scottie Green Team a new campus organization, initiated an energy reduction effort, established an environmental resident program in the residence halls, partnered with the Flexcar program and promoted the use of public transportation.
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