GROWING GREEN JOBS: CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR - Community Colleges Shaping State and Local Energy Policies
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR GROWING GREEN JOBS: Community Colleges Shaping State and Local Energy Policies
Policy changes at the state and local levels likely will be the strongest determinants of where green jobs
will flourish. Right now, across the country, hundreds of cities and states are considering new renewable
standards, building code changes, incentive packages for energy-related firms, and other measures that will
drive demand for green industry workers with relevant and up-to-date skills. Community colleges can be
a critical voice in advancing policies that create specific opportunities for students to access and complete
programs in an evolving and promising green world.
About AACC’s Green Action Plan Series
This action plan series includes practical and actionable steps that colleges can take to not only prepare a
skilled workforce, but also to become change agents in regional efforts to develop a green economy.
About SEED
The American Association of Community Colleges’ Sustainability Education and Economic Development
(SEED) initiative aims to advance sustainability and green workforce development practices at community
colleges. With more than 425 college members, SEED identifies and shares promising models and resources
and builds the capacity of college leaders, faculty, and staff. This program is consistent with AACC’s
commitment to access and completion as part of the national goal to increase the number of students who
complete degrees, certificates, and other credentials with value in the work place. More information can be
found at www.theseedcenter.org or by contacting sustainability@aacc.nche.edu.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
1
Acknowledgements
The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is the primary advocacy
organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents nearly
1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions, and more than 12 million
students. AACC promotes community colleges through five strategic action areas:
recognition and advocacy for community colleges; student access, learning and
success; community college leadership development; economic and workforce
development; and global and intercultural education. More information can be
found at www.aacc.nche.edu.
Special Thanks
Primary authors: Todd Cohen, Debra Rowe, and Leith Sharp, in conjunction
with the AACC Center for Workforce and Economic Development.
start with people
AACC would like to thank our partner, ecoAmerica, and collaborators, AASHE,
Second Nature, and the Greenforce Initiative for their support of this document.
In addition, AACC would like to thank the following individuals in particular for
their critical contributions: Mary Spilde, President, Lane Community College, Rose
Johnson, President, Haywood Community College, Remmele Young, Houston
Community College, and Holger Ekanger, Macomb Community College. AACC
would also like to thank Jerry Weber, President of the College of Lake County for his
leadership of the SEED Initiative.
This work and publication were made possible through the
generous support of The Kresge Foundation.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
2
Message from the American Association
of Community Colleges (AACC) about the
SEED Green Action Plan Series
AACC is pleased to offer the SEED Green Action Plan Series, a set of practical guides
and actionable steps that colleges can take to not only prepare a skilled workforce, but
also to become change agents in regional efforts to develop a green and sustainable
economy. For an emerging industry like this—where job growth potential is significant
but great uncertainty surrounds market conditions—colleges can be doing a lot now
to prepare for promising future opportunities. These action plans, aimed at senior
administrators, faculty, and staff, are important resources to ultimately speed the
implementation of these efforts.
AACC looks forward to working with you in this endeavor.
Walter G. Bumphus
President and CEO, American Association of Community Colleges
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
3
Message from College Leadership
Colleges and Green Public Policy: A Perfect Match
As many regions have learned over the past several years, industries such as wind and “[T]he greening of America
energy efficiency and green building do not simply emerge in random locations. It
is not a fleeting fad. It will
continue to influence and
takes a comprehensive, region-wide effort to create the right conditions that make the
impact our lives, requiring
area attractive to new energy employers, clean technology innovators, and, ultimately,
the development of eco-
new job opportunities.
conscious, highly skilled
One of these conditions—stable public policies that incentivize sustainable energy
workers, citizens, and
communities. Community
industry growth—may be the most critical determinant of where green jobs will flourish.
colleges are not only in a
As community colleges, we have a real opportunity, perhaps even a responsibility to perfect position to do this;
be aware of and active in local and state policy development efforts. This includes they also may be the only
being more engaged in regional economic development planning activities aimed at
public institution whose
mission and connection to
creating sustainable and green communities. We cannot sit and wait for green jobs
community make
(and subsequent training opportunities) to simply appear. In today’s challenging
it possible.”
economy, we must aggressively advocate for strategies to spur job growth and training
in promising green technology fields. Mary Spilde, President, Lane
Community College and
To help us fulfill our critical role, I am pleased to introduce this SEED green policies former AACC
action plan. It is designed to help colleges and others who want to create green jobs Board Chair
to better understand and leverage the impact of public policy on regional economic
development. I am confident that it will empower colleges to become change agents,
work more closely with those outside their institution, and help drive the development
of a sustainable economy.
Rose Johnson, Ph.D.
President, Haywood Community College (NC)
Executive Member, AACC Sustainability Task Force
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
4
INTRODUCTION:
THE GREEN ECONOMY EQUATION
While the weak economy has stunted the Local and state utility regulations,
Conditions for Building growth and promise of green industries, energy portfolio standards, financial
Robust Regional
it is not entirely to blame. Many regions incentives, and other policies can be
Green Economies
simply lack the right synergistic, the most important determinants of
• Appropriate national, state, comprehensive conditions for these where green companies and jobs will
and local policies that industries to take hold. emerge. Colleges can have an immediate
incentivize market growth impact on local, state, and even federal
In some regions, there is a disconnect development and adoption of such
• Knowledgeable consumers
between training capacity and job
and business owners who policies through the work of their
growth. A community may have
understand, embrace, and government and community affairs
providers who train solar technicians,
demand new green products departments, by engaging students and
and services but inadequate regulatory incentives and the public in local projects and civic
consumer demand to support a solar
• Seed and growth capital engagement, and by convening and
products sector. Or, green regulations collaborating with businesses, workforce
• A collaborative group of may encourage industry growth in
leaders to envision, plan, boards, and others to champion policy
an area with no training programs to
and implement actions that initiatives. This engagement becomes
produce qualified workers. It is crucial
will create more sustainable a critical part of enabling colleges to
to cultivate the right conditions for
communities and economies anticipate new green workforce needs.
simultaneously training green workers
• An educated and trained
and growing green businesses. Colleges across the country have set
workforce with a range
precedents for participating in regional
of skills Community colleges have the stature, green policy and strategy development.
reach, and mission to assume a These regions show the greatest promise
prominent role in tying these conditions for providing opportunities for green
together and creating the synergy for jobs and training.
green job growth.1 Smart public policy is
the starting point.
1
Institutional cost savings achieved through improvements to campus facilities and operations are also
a major impetus for community colleges to engage in sustainability issues. However, this document
focuses primarily on colleges’ roles in helping to spur green job creation through economic development.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
5
PART I: THE POLICY LANDSCAPE
AND COLLEGES’ ROLE
Public Policies, Regulations, At a local level, cities across the country
are implementing ordinances such as In 2011, the Dubuque,
and Incentives
IA, City Council passed
Perhaps the most critical factors green building codes and energy audit
an ordinance requiring
driving job growth in green industries requirements that are stimulating
all area solar thermal
are energy policy and regulatory demand for weatherization services and
installation projects be
changes that remove barriers and more efficient building products. In fact,
performed by licensed and
incentivize energy conservation and the according to the U.S. Green Building trained individuals. An
use of renewable energies. Although Council, more than 450 localities across active participant in this
significant federal action on this front the United States have now adopted policy process, Northeast
seems unlikely in the short term, many some form of LEED requirement for Iowa Community College
states are developing and implementing construction or renovation projects. (NICC) formed the region’s
action plans that outline how they first solar thermal course
Similarly, states and communities that satisfies the licensing
will adapt to environmental issues and
increasingly use financial incentives as requirements and that leads
transition to a sustainable and
a tool to attract clean energy industry to a NABCEP certification.
fast-growing economy. These efforts
manufacturers and suppliers. Production The new standards ensure
have resulted in policy initiatives—such
tax credits, sales and property tax workers receive a new set
as energy efficient resource standards,
exemptions, low-interest and of marketable skills and
renewable portfolio standards,
long-term loans, revolving loan funds, support the emergence of a
feed-in tariffs, net-metering, and new new sub market.
and rebates for industry (and colleges)
state procurement codes—that increase
aimed at increasing energy efficiency and
the need for more green industry
renewable energy building installations
workers and training opportunities.
not only help increase local demand
For example, renewable portfolio
for new clean energy products, but also
standards, which require a certain
make regions more attractive to global
percentage of electricity power to come
energy firms looking to establish a
from renewable energy sources, are
presence in visionary, progressive states.
expanding investments in wind and
geothermal technologies. Feed-in Even states and regions that appear to be
tariff policies, more specifically, doing little to stimulate a green economy
are leading to the expansion of have small and large-scale policy
solar installations by making solar initiatives at work. A sample of these
photovoltaics cost competitive. green policies appears below with the
number of states that have adopted them.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
6U.S. State Energy and Climate Policies (number of states with policy in place)
Climate Action Transportation Sector
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Targets (23) • Vehicle GHG Emissions Standards (15)
• Emissions Caps for Electricity (16) • Mandates and Incentives Promoting Biofuels (43)
• Climate Action Plans (38) • VMT-Related Policies and Incentives (19)
• Active Climate Legislative Commissions and Executive • Low Carbon Fuel Standard (24)
Branch Advisory Groups (24) • Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicle Policies (39)
• Regional Initiatives (32) • Plug-in Electric Vehicles (35)
• GHG Reporting and Registries (42)
Energy Sector Building Sector
• Public Benefit Funds (20) • Residential Building Energy Codes (38)
• Renewable & Alternative Energy Portfolio • Commercial Building Energy Codes (41)
Standards (38) • Green Building Standards for State Buildings (43)
• Net Metering Programs (45) • Appliance Efficiency Standards (15)
• Green Pricing Programs (12) • Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) Programs (24)
• Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (28)
• Financial Incentives for Carbon Capture and Storage (16)
Adapted from: http://www.pewclimate.org/what_s_being_done/in_the_states/state_action_maps.cfm
All of these policy changes will other skilled workers who know Importantly, the college role in public
continue to drive the demand for how to install and repair them. For a policy is not limited to advocacy
training for jobs up and down the community college, this can represent or even policy initiation. Faced
supply chain. 2 As states adopt energy a critical mass of demand for with depleting resources, college
efficiency resource standards that education and training opportunities. administrators, trustees, faculty, staff,
require utilities to save a certain and students have opportunities to
amount of energy, new building Community College Role in partner more closely with regional
codes are being shaped to meet them. Public Policy Green Advocacy and state stakeholder groups whose
This spurs increased demand for Community colleges have been very mission is to lead these policy efforts.
certified energy managers who can powerful and influential advocates for Through these partnerships, and a host
inspect these buildings; component local, state, and federal policy on issues of existing resources, colleges can better
manufacturing firms that can affecting workforce development and understand what policy and funding
design and construct new heating education and training, and including streams drive consumer demand
and cooling systems and lighting financial aid. Although many colleges and industry growth—and be better
structures; salespeople who can may be new to sustainable energy prepared for meeting the specific needs
sell the systems and structures; and legislation and policies, this sector’s of businesses.
HVAC technicians, electricians, and potential to spur job growth makes it
well worth pursuing.
2
One recent study highlighted that “[A]ggressive [energy efficiency] measures combined with a 30 percent [Renewable Portfolio Standard] target in 2030
can generate more than 4 million full-time equivalent jobs” From “Putting Renewables and Energy Efficiency To Work: How Many Jobs Can The Clean
Energy Industry Generate in the U.S.?” Energy Policy, Volume 38, Issue 2, February 2010, Pages 919-931
Wei, M.; Patadia, S.; Kammen, D.M.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
7PART II: TAKING ACTION
We suggest 11 specific policy action sustainability officer, or other,
steps that community college leadership, should incorporate these discussions
faculty, and staff can take to help build as part of the regular agenda of
their regional green economies. Some campus sustainability committees.
speak to short-term legislative advocacy The individual should have the
activities, some require forming closer capacity to connect the dots between
relationships with state agencies, and certain policy directives and their
others include longer-term efforts to impact on the institution—and then
build a stronger community culture of communicate that effectively up to
civic engagement. college senior administrators and with
key external stakeholder groups.
Many colleges across the country are
Bergen Community College (NJ),
already engaged in these efforts, proving
Finger Lakes Community College
that they can be accomplished. Use the
(NY), Howard Community College
SEED Center to learn more about these
(MD), Mesa Community College (AZ),
stories and the local leadership.
and Rockingham Community College
(NC) are just a few colleges that have a
Get Informed
designated climate commitment policy
Colleges must understand the local
liaison3 dedicated to this function.
industries and their region’s specific
Chandler-Gilbert Community College
connection between public policies/
(AZ) has a standing civic engagement
incentives that will encourage green
committee that monitors these
market growth and specific job creation.
issues and hosts an annual Energy
They must also begin to envision how
Policy Forum. Speakers include state
the college administration, faculty,
politicians, agency heads, and utility
and students can best get involved in
representatives and other private
advocacy efforts.
sector leaders. The event typically
1. Identify a campus lead and include draws 250 administrators, faculty,
policy on the college’s sustainability staff, students, and the public.
agenda. Make it someone’s job There are also an increasing number
to track green economy-related of state community college system
regional, state and federal policy, organizations that are supporting
regulatory and program initiatives; smaller colleges (with no standing
and identify gaps and opportunities. government affairs or sustainability
The individual, whether a government committees) in conducting this kind
affairs representative, a faculty of energy policy tracking.
member, a facilities planner, a
3
Identified as such as a signatory institution of the American College and University Presidents’
Climate Commitment.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
82. Be aware of the local and state policy • Solar Energy Industries Association
landscape affecting the industry. www.seia.org
Colleges should tap the most Includes examples of state policies
up-to-date green job trends, clean and incentive tools as well as
energy industry developments, and legislative action alerts.
related legislative/policy issues. These
• American Council On
should become part of existing college
Renewable Energy
research and communication strate-
www.acore.org
gies. At a basic level, colleges should
Includes snapshots of every state
be able to determine which directives
highlighting renewable energy
are in place and how they are impact-
capacity, job growth, industry
ing certain subsectors of the industry
investment, and active policies.
within their region.
• Database for State Incentives for
Fortunately, a wealth of current Renewables and Efficiency
information exists: www.dsireusa.org
Includes a database of existing state
• Building Codes Assistance Project
policies and financial incentives.
http://bcap-ocean.org/code-status
Includes a series of U.S. maps
Some of these organizations will
depicting building energy code
also support colleges in taking state
adoption and implementation status.
action. For example, at no expense,
• Efficiency First the American Wind Energy
www.efficiencyfirst.org/policy/ Association (www.awea.org)
Includes information on a number will supply issue briefs, legislative
of federal, state, and local policy talking points, and help colleges
programs from HOME STAR set up meetings at congressional
legislation to energy efficiency representatives’ offices.
tax credits. (For more information, email
grassroots@awea.org.)
• American Council for an Energy
Efficient Economy
www.aceee.org/sector/state-policy
Includes detailed information on
existing utility policies, building
codes, financial incentives, and
a summary of related policy
priorities for each state.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
9Santa Fe Community College’s Policy Development Efforts to
Build the Clean Energy Industry
At Santa Fe Community College access to the process, are able to
(SFCC), engaging in clean energy- rapidly refine curriculum and training
related public policy development programs to reflect expected market
is core to its mission and critical to changes. In this case, SFCC’s Building
ensuring students get and succeed in jobs. Construction and Environmental
Technology programs have undergone
At a local level, adjunct faculty recent upgrades to meet these new
continue to work closely with city renewable energy, energy efficiency,
officials and the Home Builders and green building directives.
Association in an effort to make
the local building codes green. At a When asked why the college has
regional level, the college serves on a devoted so much time to the public
city/county task force that developed policy process, Randy Grissom, the
the state’s first Renewable Energy Director of SFCC’s Sustainability
Financing District, a policy that Technology Center, exclaims, “We
allows commercial property owners don’t have a lot of industry here [in
to secure a long-term loan to purchase Santa Fe]. So, as a community, we
and install a solar photovoltaic, solar need to take a risk and try to grow
thermal, wind, or other renewable one. And as our state economic
energy system, and pay the loan back development officials seek to provide
through their property taxes. incentives to draw these green
technology companies to the state,
At a state level, SFCC faculty and we always remind them that we
students participated on a task force better have a skilled workforce.
that provided recommendations to the Or the jobs will ultimately go
New Mexico Energy, Minerals, and somewhere else.”
Natural Resources Department on
solar industry incentive package
design options.
In each case, college representatives
are not only shaping the state’s
overall approach to sustainability,
but, given their involvement and
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
103. Determine your region’s unique In addition, at a local level, colleges
mix of opportunities for green job should work with their workforce As college personnel become
growth by connecting with your investment boards, specifically, knowledgeable on these
issues, they are increasingly
state energy office, your economic to ensure they include standing
getting recognized as
development entity, and your utilities. representatives from each of these
policy experts. Faculty and
Understanding, for example, how specific organizations. Their presence
administrators from colleges
utility companies are planning their will help create a direct line of
such as Lane Community
workforce to meet new portfolio communication to local green-collar College (OR) and Johnson
standards or how local incentives businesses and contractors. County Community College
for commercial lighting retrofits (TN) have provided public
4. Join forces with local advocacy
will impact new supplier skill needs testimony during hearings
organizations. Many regions
is critical for colleges designing have local affiliates and nonprofit for issues such as energy
responsive programs. tax credits and local utility
organizations already dedicated
rate cases (to fund expanded
to tracking and advocating for
Working closely with state energy energy efficiency activities).
certain energy and environmental
offices, regional utilities, and policies. Organizations such as the
economic development agencies American Solar Energy Society,
will provide a clear picture of the the Environmental Defense Fund,
loan funds, tax credits, and other the Sierra Club, and the U.S. Green
programs that states offer to spur Building Council have local chapters
renewable energy generation, across the country that are explicity
encourage energy conservation, and aiming for increased community
catalyze new energy companies. college support. In addition,
In a growing number of states and organizational collaborations that
regions, these organizations are now develop and promote new energy
collaborating with the workforce policies are increasing their presence
system as “State Energy Sector at both a regional level (e.g. Energy
Partnerships” or similar sector Efficiency Alliances) and state level
employer panels to discuss how these (various energy research consortia
policy drivers translate into industry and industry associations). Where
skill needs. Colleges should be appropriate, community colleges
represented in these efforts. should be incorporated as board or
advisory members or volunteers in
these efforts.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
11Mobilize and Partner
Northern Maine Community College Colleges can be more active in
as a Policy Convener supporting policies, from lending their
Northern Maine Community NMCC hosts many of the names to legislative efforts to serving
College (NMCC) is a collaborative meetings and as a regional convener of energy and
key convener in a multi- brokered important alliances environmental planning initiatives. In
stakeholder county within the partnership on addition, colleges can encourage civic
collaborative aimed at the way toward getting full engagement on issues such as resource
creating a sustainable region plan cooperation. conservation, fuel sources, and energy
and an alternative energy rate structures by using the campus to
“We are committed to
industry sector. Launched in educate students and the general public.
supporting and leading
2010, the Mobilize Northern
economic development efforts
Maine comprehensive
in northern Maine,” explains
planning process includes 5. Hone messaging around the economy.
NMCC President Timothy
representatives from the As with any advocacy effort,
Crowley. “That leadership
regional development organizational messaging is crucial.
manifests itself in the building
commission, the business While incorporating sustainability
of networks and relationships
community, nonprofits,
that help address expansion into a college’s overall policy
government, and higher
of our economy in very message is important, many colleges
education. The partnership
challenging times.” report success, recently, in focusing
is now moving aggressively
on several fronts including in particular on the job creation
See a full description soon
expanding biomass potential of sustainable industries.
of NMCC’s new Renewable
conversion and designing Energy Center of Excellence As Jerry Weber, President of College
financing structures to and training plans at of Lake County (IL) states: “In
support regional energy www.theseedcenter.org this economic climate, discussions
efficient modifications. about jobs and cost savings are
what resonate with our state
representatives. They also understand
that green skills can make the
workforce ready for industries, and
energy efficiency can mean savings
that can be reallocated
for instruction.”
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
126. Act as the regional energy strategy curriculum efforts and works
convener. Community colleges with Illinois’ energy bureau under
can serve as a critical convening the Department of Commerce &
organization as more regions Economic Opportunity on various
across the country assemble to policy initiatives that impact
discuss renewable energy choices, campus energy use and workforce
conservation techniques, and ways development. This agency now
to attract green jobs. As credible provides funding to support the
and recognizable organizations, IGEN’s efforts to significantly
community colleges are naturally reduce energy demand across the
suited to host clean energy policy Illinois community college system. In
and planning meetings and to broker addition, IGEN is working with state
stakeholder relationships between legislators and has begun to create
economic developers, industry and legislation to allow for continual
utility leaders, government officials, funding of IGEN initiatives. Similar
unions, students, the public, and state wide college collaborations
others. The result of which can be are emerging in California, North
a regional coalition of support for Carolina, Texas, and elsewhere.
smart energy policies that grow local Work through the AACC SEED
businesses, provide more green jobs, Center to learn about and access
and yield financial savings leaders of these statewide college
for residents. initiatives to determine how their
model may be applied.
7. Connect with other colleges
regionally or statewide. A joint
effort will not only make it easier
for colleges to stay abreast of policy
possibilities, but also showcase a more
powerful singular voice on legislative
changes to local, state, and federal
officials. In Illinois, all 48 community
colleges have partnered to create the
Illinois Green Economy Network
(IGEN at www.igencc.org). This
group coordinates green-collar
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
13San Diego Miramar College’s Workforce Development
Response to New Climate Regulations
The integration of energy and air quality their own programs. The emphasis is on
regulations is critical in California to limit enhancing colleges’ existing programs
greenhouse gas emissions. However, despite the (e.g. in heavy duty or diesel technology)
agreed upon need to foster cleaner air quality, to include natural gas as part of
the South Coast Air Quality Management their curriculum.
District and various regional transit,
In just a short time, 150 workers have already
wastehauler, and trucking companies faced a
been trained with many more planned as both
key challenge in keeping new advanced fuel and
programs continue to grow. The success has led
technology vehicles on the road. The problem:
to an important new partnership between the
because technicians at these companies did
air regulatory agency, the network of ATTE
not have the full skill set to maintain or repair
community colleges, and now the Southern
its vehicles, vehicle down time was significant
California Gas Company, which may open the
resulting in less-than-desired
door for additional SDMC-led
emission improvements.
training opportunities.
San Diego Miramar College (SDMC), as part
“Just having a relationship with the air
of California Community College’s Advanced
regulatory agency and the state Energy
Transportation Technology and Energy
Commission gave me greater insight into the
Initiative (ATTE), responded. The ATTE Center
challenges they were having with industry
at SDMC worked with both governmental
regulatory compliance,” explains Greg
agencies and industry members to spearhead a
Newhouse, SDMC Associate Dean. “When
comprehensive approach:
I realized the policy problem was tied to
• In the immediate term, the ATTE Center workforce development we were able to use
in partnership with other five other our industry and agency contacts and learn
community colleges implemented a from employers regarding their specific training
four-day incumbent worker training requirements. Now, workers across the region
program that introduces existing are getting updated skills, new students will get
technicians to natural gas technologies and jobs, and the intention of the policy will be met:
diagnosing and inspecting hybrid vehicles. California will have more alternative vehicles
on the road and ultimately cleaner air.”
• To address the longer-term talent pipeline
issues, SDMC is managing a program to
train faculty at colleges across southern
California to develop curriculum for
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
148. Commit to civic engagement skill Project is highlighted as a national
Bard College has established building for students. As Dr. Mary higher education model. AASHE
a program that allows Spilde, President of Lane Community is currently building a curricular
students around the Colleges explains, “[Today’s students] component to their Web site
country to engage in live have the expectation that colleges not including more examples of colleges
video discussions between
only understand the [sustainability] incorporating energy-related civic
community members and
issues but are proactive in responding engagement within
their elected representatives
to the . . . This provides avenues for academic assignments.
on issues of clean energy
student engagement and real-world
and climate change. (Email
climate@bard.edu.) problem solving that make education 9. Engage the public. Through
more relevant and enhance student continuing education and other
learning outcomes.” forums, colleges have a role to
play in delivering or reinforcing
As a start, colleges should connect key sustainability messages to a
student life staff, student groups, and community that may not always
faculty to integrate civic engagement understand the potential incentives
into curricular and co-curricular and specific advantages of taking
activities. Programs like www.350.org action. Such actions include
(developed by Middlebury College) weatherizing their homes, installing
and the Energy Action Coalition solar panels, and reducing waste.
(http://energyactioncoalition.org/) Many colleges now host sustainability
are aimed at mobilizing students on conferences, green speaker series,
campuses around the country around sustainable products fairs, specialized
climate change and access to good workshops, and other events that
green jobs. For example, the Energy help the public, business owners, and
Action Coalition hosts Powershift, a employees become more knowledgeable
national gathering where participants and effectively engaged in advocating
meet directly with elected officials. for smarter energy policies and job
creation in this industry. See www.
Additionally, the Association for theseedcenter.org/Colleges-in-Action
the Advancement of Sustainability for a growing compendium of examples
in Higher Education (www.aashe. of colleges engaged in community
org.) provides a number of college engagement efforts.
examples of students connecting
directly with local businesses for
internships, service learning projects,
and course-based civic engagement
to promote sustainable practices.
Butte College’s American Democracy
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
15Commit Internally In the fall of 2011, AACC’s SEED
A great deal of internal campus Initiative will release a leadership One of the differentiating
education must occur to persuade action plan to provide college features of the Green
presidents specific steps, messaging Education Institute Advisory
presidents, trustees, and other leaders
Board at Atlantic Cape
that sustainability and green job growth techniques, and other best
Community College (ACCC)
not only are important, but also merit practices to effectively lead campus
is its emphasis on the
active policy engagement. sustainability initiatives, engage
importance of the college’s
trustees, and advocate externally.
role in consumer education,
10. Build the institutional leadership.
11. Incentivize green policy along with career education,
Elevating the role of college senior
understanding and action through as drivers of green economic
administrators to guide and advocate
faculty and student development. To development. As the
on behalf of community sustainability
build students’ skills, colleges must associate dean of continuing
initiatives is critical. Fortunately, there education operations
make sure faculty and staff also have
are a growing number of resources explains, “Our role is
the knowledge and skills for civic
targeting this specific audience. to educate the consumer
engagement. Colleges should include
AACC’s Sustainability Task Force on energy efficiency and
information on policy engagement in
(http://www.theseedcenter.org/About- renewable energy ideas,
the professional development activities
SEED/SEED-Leaders/Sustainability- as well as to educate a
for faculty and staff and encourage workforce to support the
Task-Force) is an open group of 35
integration of these opportunities economic development of
plus college presidents that guide
into the academic and co-curricular new green jobs and the
AACC’s SEED initiative and meet to
parts of campus life by including retraining of our workforce
share specific campus sustainability
them in annual staff reviews. In for existing jobs that require
challenges and public policies. The
addition, colleges should integrate updated skills.”
American College and University
civic engagement into the agendas for
Presidents’ Climate Commitment From the upcoming
partnership building in as many areas
(ACUPCC) is a powerful Greenforce Initiative Report
of the college as possible, and into the
demonstration of both individual
expectations for the governmental
and collective leadership, providing
relations office.
credibility and organizational support
for advocacy efforts. Second Nature Other opportunities that colleges are
(www.secondnature.org) has pursuing include:
established a Presidential Fellowship • Creating incentives for student
program engaging recently retired projects, faculty courses, campus
college presidents to work with their operations, and general college
colleagues in support of the ACUPCC outreach work to be directed
and other sustainability initiatives. towards fostering greater support
for green economy related policies,
regulations, and programs.
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
16• Providing a stipend to faculty to advantage of them. The colleges’
“Through our visits to
integrate green economy collective commitment is to seek
Washington, we offer
policy-related work into their opportunities for students and workers
policy-makers a real-
course design. to access and complete programs
world perspective on how
their decisions affect local and attain the credentials needed to
• Raising the profile and related
communities, and in turn compete in an ever-changing and
activities through coverage in the
we stay informed of key expanding economy. Engaging in
media and press and in the college
issues affecting our strategic effective government advocacy and
website or newspaper.
planning. Green jobs are at supporting employment sectors is not
the forefront of our visits; • Providing opportunities for student new to our colleges, but doing this
these hold the key to our service learning and internship work for the green economy is. The
nation’s energy and security activities promoting effective time has come for colleges to embrace
future, while bringing government advocacy and a more proactive role in the emerging
family-wage jobs to green programs. green economy by driving policy,
rural America.”
• Collaborating with local industry regulation, and programs within
Frank Toda, President, to create faculty externships in government and key employment
Columbia Gorge Community government advocacy, community sectors alike.
College, via the National policy, and local and/or state
Wildlife Federation’s Fly-in advocacy organizations. For additional resources and
program. examples of colleges that have
Conclusion effectively engaged in building
Great community colleges help to build the green economy, see AACC’s
great communities, opening pathways SEED Center at
to prosperity to all who wish to take www.theseedcenter.org
AACC Green Action Plan Series – www.theseedcenteer.org
17You can also read
