Harvard Gets “A-” In Sustainability

Harvard received an overall grade of “A-” in the annual College Sustainability Report Card, which was released yesterday by the Sustainable Endowments Institute.

“It’s both encouraging and a sign that we can do better,” said Robert M. Gogan, associate manager for recycling and waste for Facilities Maintenance Operations.

The College Sustainability Report Card assessed the 300 colleges and universities with the largest endowments in the U.S. and Canada, as well as 22 other institutions that applied for inclusion. The Report Card was designed to identify schools that are leading by example in sustainability.

More than half of the schools earned an overall grade of “B” or better, with 16 percent of schools earning an “A” or “A-.” Seven schools received a grade of “A,” including Brown and Yale.

Citing the rise in recycling rate and the installment of more efficient heating and cooling systems, Gogan said the University has increased its sustainability efforts. For example, Harvard installed more than 3,200 square feet of solar panels on top of Canaday Hall over the summer, Gogan added.

The report included nine categories, ranging from food and recycling to energy-efficient buildings to transportation. According to the report, Harvard has invested more than $15 million in energy efficiency and conservation projects, has cut greenhouse gas emissions by seven percent since 2006, and aims to achieve a 30 percent reduction by 2016.

While Gogan said he believes students are becoming more conscientious about promoting “greenness” on campus, he said there are still habits students “have got to break,” including loading up plates in the dining hall, throwing away newspapers, bottles, and cans that can be recycled, and leaving room lights on when no one’s there.

“Do your reading and studying by daylight,” Gogan said, “and party after dark.”

Student groups at Harvard, including the Undergraduate Resource Efficiency Program, have sponsored sustainability efforts targeting student life.

Isabella A. Wechsler ’13, the eco-REP for Cabot House, said that REP informs students about how much water they’re using and the amount of food they waste.

The organization also hosted an eco-friendly Brain Break at Annenberg last September, in which students received reusable mugs and learned about environmental groups on campus.

“We want to generate enthusiasm about the issue and educate people,” Wechsler said.