It hasn’t been easy for historically Black colleges and universities to be green considering that many don’t have the resources to invest in an environmentally conscious strategy. But that’s changed thanks to partnerships with organizations that are encouraging sustainability efforts on HBCU campuses.
Now, more institutions are becoming eco-friendly by establishing conservation programs and updating their campus infrastructures. HBCUs are also raising awareness among students and training them to become good stewards of the environment.
In July, Clark Atlanta University signed an agreement with the Environmental Defense Fund to administer a grant to promote conservation, environmental protection and restoration. Originally held by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) Special Programs Corporation, transfer of the Building Green Initiative grant to CAU will expand eco-friendly opportunities for more HBCUs.
The Atlanta research institution plans to establish a $4 million, state-of-the-art living, learning energy lab on campus to house the Clark Atlanta Center for Alternative, Renewable Energy, Technology and Training (CARET2). The center will provide a hub for engineers and scientists to conduct cutting-edge research and foster collaboration between the Atlanta University Center and national laboratories.
“It is exciting to have the wealth of support that comes from being on a college campus,” says Felicia Davis, director the Building Green Initiative under UNCF and now CAU.
Established in 2010, the Building Green Initiative aims to advance sustainability efforts at minority-serving institutions (MSIs). Under the UNCF, the grant made 23 planning grants and increased the number of campuses committed to reducing carbon emissions.
