Editor’s Note: The author is the outreach and communications coordinator for the University Sustainability Office.

After reading the editorial in Technician on Sept. 8th, I thought this was a perfect opportunity to clarify some points on N.C. State’s commitment to being a better environmental steward.

To begin, it seems there is confusion as to what a greenhouse gas inventory is, how it fits with the Climate Action Plan and where the University is in the process of reducing its climate impact.

The recently released 2008 GHG inventory is the first accounting of NCSU’s carbon emissions (campus’ carbon footprint) and acts as a benchmark of its GHG over the course of one year. A GHG inventory quantifies data but does not lie out the plans for reducing or eliminating emissions. Jeff Hightower, director of utilities infrastructure, organized the GHG inventory with the help of two student interns and input by a myriad of departments and campus experts. Now that the University knows the baseline figure, campus will begin formulating the CAP to identify and evaluate feasible and effective policies and programs to reduce GHG emissions.

I also think there is some confusion when it comes to direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions. The information within the 2008 GHG inventory is divided into three scopes; Scope 1 covers direct emissions and Scopes 2 and 3 address indirect emissions. This does not mean that only emissions attributed to Scope 1 contribute to the University’s carbon footprint. On the contrary, all three scopes must be considered when evaluating the University impact, just as development of the CAP will lie out productive strategies that reduce emissions from all three scopes.

One thing that was of great concern for me while reading last Tuesday’s editorial is the suggestion that students cannot help reduce our climate impact any further. We are at a very important moment in the history of mankind and our students can, and must, lead the change needed to move the University forward.

The University has the opportunity to lead not only the state, but the world, in developing solutions to some of our toughest climate and energy problems. Call me an optimist, or an idealist, but I think the University is uniquely positioned to be a global leader for the new economy. As recent events and plenty of data show, the status quo will not sustain the population. Where better to develop the new model but at a university positioned at the heart of one of the fastest growing cities in the country?

Yes, we have work to do. I am not trying to say we are perfect. We need to develop more multidisciplinary curriculum to better train the workforce of tomorrow and engage future students. We need to upgrade some of our infrastructure and buildings. We need to enhance our communications to better share what occurs on this vast campus. However, we are already undertaking some very impressive steps. We are conducting research that could fundamentally change the way people live and work. Take a look at the FREEDM Systems Center. How about the Center for Environmental Farming Systems? These are leading edge research and extension projects that, by their very nature, will help citizens be better stewards of the our community.

Energy and transportation account for 87 percent of the University’s greenhouse gas emissions. Everyone on campus uses both of these daily. If everyone on campus can be more efficient in both areas, campus’ carbon footprint will be reduced. The University is planning projects to deal with some of the largest emission sources, however, on their own, these projects will not be enough. Personal action and innovative ideas by students are in the best interest of everyone.

The Campus Environmental Sustainability Team (CEST) is looking for student ideas and involvement on the CAP; please contact the University Sustainability Office with your thoughts at climate_impact@ncsu.edu.