Climate change poses an existential threat to humans. Climate affects everything — including weather, agriculture, health, economy, travel, and supply chains — and will have intergenerational impacts. Every day, we experience the impacts of climate change in some part of the world. Now is the time to act. Large institutions like Penn State University face choices about how we respond to climate change: choices related to energy, preparedness, research, curriculum, co-curricular engagement, and community outreach across the Commonwealth.

Energy use is the largest driver of Penn State’s greenhouse gas emissions. To provide heat, air conditioning, electricity, and hot water to our buildings and fuel for our vehicle fleet costs over $20 million annually, The University has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 50 percent since 2005 through energy efficiency, installing equipment for Combined Heat and Power, awareness programs, investment in renewable energy and switching to more fuel-efficient vehicles.