Institute for a Sustainable Environment Newsletter: July 2024
Message From the Director
Welcome to the July edition of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment Newsletter. Clarkson University is committed to sustainability in all it does and in this issue we're pleased to announce that Clarkson has received its third STARS Gold rating in the past eight years!
This recognition reflects both the progress we have made in our campus operations – for example, 100% renewable electricity for the Potsdam campus – and the thorough integration of sustainability throughout the research, education and scholarly work of our students and faculty.
We DO sustainability with work that has local, national and global impact. A few of our great people on campus who are committed to this work are highlighted below. Dr. Erik Backus has long served the green building and sustainable communities industry; the biology/math team of Drs. Kring, White and Green brings interdisciplinary research to life for our undergraduate students and addresses the challenges of local invasive species; and Celia Darling (BS‘24 Political Science, MS‘24 Environmental Policy) received one of Clarkson’s top awards for her contributions to numerous campus sustainability projects and leadership positions during her time on campus.
Please enjoy reading about our accomplishments!
— Susan Powers (BS‘83 Chemical Engineering, MS‘85 Civil & Environmental Engineering), Director of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment / Associate Director of Sustainability / Jean ’79 and Robert ’79 Spence Professorship in Sustainable Environmental Systems
STARS Gold Rating for Sustainability
Clarkson has earned a STARS Gold rating in recognition of its sustainability achievements from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System measures and encourages sustainability in all aspects of higher education. Clarkson includes sustainability in almost all of our degree programs.
Read More About Our STARS Gold Rating
Aquatic Invasive Species Research
New York's Department of Environmental Conservation has awarded Clarkson researchers a grant to monitor two invasive aquatic watermilfoil species in Upstate New York. The research team – all affiliates of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment – will study Eurasian watermilfoil in Goose Bay and broadleaf watermilfoil in Norwood Lake.
Read More About This Research
Frederica Clarkson Award
Graduating senior Celia Darling received the Frederica Clarkson Award during spring commencement. Darling, who earned a bachelor of science in political science with minors in anthropology, environmental science, and environmental policy, piloted a 3+1 master’s program and also finished her master’s in environmental policy.
Read More About Celia
International Sustainable Communities Committee
Professor Erik Backus, a faculty affiliate of the Institute for a Sustainable Environment, has been appointed to the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Cities and Communities Consensus Committee. USGBC is a leading authority on green building and the global developer of the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED), the world’s most preeminent green building system.
Read More About This Appointment