Sustainability
Clarkson University is committed to "sustainability in all we do." We are stewards of our natural environment. If you value it too -- and want to be involved in its protection -- we offer incredible opportunities to learn and develop your capacity to work toward a sustainable future for us all.
Through our Institute for a Sustainable Environment (ISE), faculty experts in relevant disciplines -- from biology to business -- help students meet the environmental and sustainability challenges of a rapidly changing world. Students are at the heart of our initiatives, learning and doing through classes, clubs and volunteer efforts.
Our Major Sustainability Initiatives
Student-Endorsed Sustainability Projects
Students make many campus sustainability projects come to life each year. Some of the projects we've completed include: increased access to and protection of campus natural resources; construction of cold-climate greenhouse for research, classes and club activities; and establishment of bike-friendly infrastructure and bike rental program.
Learn more about our Student Projects
UN Sustainable Development Goals
Take a deeper dive into the United Nations' goals here.
At Clarkson, we align courses, research and operations with their relevant global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) so we can all show how we integrate sustainability in all we do.
Clarkson's Climate Action Commitment
Our President's Climate Commitment has set us on a path to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions to net zero. We've made progress! For example:
- The Collins Hill Campus is powered by 100% hydroelectricity and the Downtown campus is covered - nearly 100% - by our 12-ac. field of solar PV panels.
- Many of the vans used by our facilities & services team are now fully electric.
- Lighting is now mostly provided by high efficient LED bulbs.
Students Engaged in Sustainability
Environmental science and policy major Angie Zeoli is working with the Bike Program through the University Libraries, offering students use of bicycles around campus and the area.
From the Adirondacks to the Netherlands
Mackenzie Peters '23, recently graduated with a bachelor's in Environmental Engineering and a minor in Environmental Science. Mackenzie grew up in the Adirondack Park and always knew she wanted to help the environment and lead a life of sustainability. That led her to Clarkson, and eventually to the Technical University of Delft in the Netherlands. Read her blog post about her time abroad, her experiences at Clarkson, and the job waiting for her after graduation!
Get Involved!
There are so many ways to get involved in sustainability efforts on campus. Here are just a few:
- Join the Garden Club to grow fresh organic vegetables for our campus community.
- Collect and feed food waste to the campus anaerobic digester.
- Walk, hike, and bike our wooded trail system or paddle the Raquette River with our Outing Club.
- Analyze data from the campus solar PV systems.
- Design and test a zero-emission snowmobile with a SPEED team.
- Join Engineers for International Sustainability to design low-cost solutions for clean water or energy.
- Explore the natural world in our backyard - check out Nature Rx.
- Sustainability Club meets runs sustainability programs on campus, including Earth Week, Sustainable Crafting Events, Movie Nights, Clean Ups, and more. Learn more here!
- ISE Interns work throughout the semester to manage our sustainability initiatives, lead educational events, and more. Interested in applying? Email Dr. Susan Powers (spowers@clarkson.edu).