Article:
Global warming isn’t a new menace, but 2024 was exceptionally hot. NASA’s recent report says that 2024 summer was the hottest summer Earth has ever experienced. While reversing climate change and global warming isn’t easy, it has to start somewhere.
‘Carbon-neutral universities’ can be an effective way to reverse the effects of climate change because students’ enthusiasm for bringing about a change runs really high. They are fast learners, and it’s easier to implement changes through them. Since students are brimming with ideas, they can also play important roles in leading innovations with encouragement and guidance from teachers, seniors, experts, or anyone to guide them.
Several universities have been proactively working on creating sustainable environments through carbon-neutral campuses and other environment-friendly practices.
Nalanda University, India
Once the ancient seat of knowledge, the reconstructed university maintains its foundation ethos and has created a carbon-neutral campus. The Nalanda University has been resurrected from its ruins with carefully made plans to keep its ancient architectural design intact and in complete harmony with Nature.
Flora and fauna
The campus has restored a brilliant balance of flora and fauna with more than 100 acres of water body and 300 acres of green landscape inside its campus. Being inside the university campus keeps it secure from unauthorized activities and thus unharmed.
Energy-efficient campus
Its huge energy requirements are supplied by on-campus renewable energy sources. The campus has a 6.5 MW solar farm a 15 MW biogas plant and other smaller units to meet the university’s energy requirements without generating any pollution.
Environment-friendly construction
The bricks used for reconstructing the university were compressed stabilized Earth blocks and not the usual burnt clay bricks. These bricks are more eco-friendly and also their production procedure generates much fewer emissions than traditional bricks. They are very durable and regulate temperature according to the environment. During summer it keeps the structure cool and warmer in winter.
Water management systems and others
Indigenous water management system – ‘Ahar-Pyne’ and Decentralized Waste Treatment systems ensure the campus is internally well-managed and regulated. Besides the environment-friendly bricks, the walls have thick cavities and Desiccant Evaporative technology that cools and warms up the structure according to the weather.
Smith College, United States
The Smith College, Massachusetts, US, has been proactively fighting a war against climate change with carefully designed programs and projects. Its ‘Geothermal Energy Project,’ under which the institution shifts its dependence on thermal power sources to renewable power supply sources. As a result, it brings down the emission rate; its target is to bring it down by 80%, cut down water consumption by 10%, and refine the air quality.
Strathmore University, Kenya
Strathmore University has heavily cut down its dependence on electricity and reduced emissions by shifting to solar energy. It has a solar system that supplies power to the university. Thus, it has successfully limited emissions and shifted to clean energy at the campus. Its initiatives for clean energy are extended outside the campus as well by collaborating with local governments for clean energy for cooking, e-vehicles, and geothermal energy. Besides building a carbon-neutral campus, it is encouraging the use of sustainable energy outside as well.
Western Sydney University, Australia
The island nation’s suffering through some of the most bizarre natural calamities has encouraged stronger and more resilient steps towards minimizing the effects of climate change. Creating a carbon-neutral university campus will not only create a significant patch of environment-friendly area but also build a community with environment-friendly practices and create a sustainable environment. The university follows a systematic plan to reduce emissions from its campus, trains, research, and engages different sections of the community for “climate resilience responses.” For instance, it educates the students and the university staff to make them prepared for bushfires and other response activities.
Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico
The university has shifted its dependence to solar energy for power, cutting down emissions, and further, it has a target of reducing emissions by 50% by the end of 2025. Within the same timeframe, it wants to source 80% of its required energy from renewable sources. Besides these practices, it is planning for a structured crusade against climate change through planned initiatives such as mass education and awareness, adaptation, research, and outreach, making it a mass movement.
The environmentally aware, educated, and active universities have immense potential for reversing climate change and thus are emerging as powerful units for the much-needed transformation. Going forward, we can expect this collective force to gain momentum and more universities to join, leading to more promising outcomes.