Higher Education Sustainability Actions 2006
On March 30, 2006, during consideration of H. R. 609, the College Access and Opportunity Act, the House of Representatives adopted an amendment that directs the Secretary of Education to convene a national summit of higher education sustainability experts within a year. Sponsored by Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Rep. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI) and Rep. David Wu (D-OR) the amendment passed on a voice vote demonstrating a high level of bi-partisan support for environmental and sustainability education programs in the Congress. We hope our work with Congress will translate into even broader support for the Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2005.
Higher Education Sustainability Act of 2005
Sponsored by Representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), David Wu (D-OR), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), the Higher Education Sustainability Act (HESA) would provide up to $50 million in grants to colleges and universities as well as "non-profit consortia, association, alliance, or collaboration operating as a partnership of higher education institutions" for the purposes of establishing new programs or strengthening existing programs that "develop and implement integrated environmental, economic, and social sustainability initiatives through administrative and operational practices as well as multidisciplinary research, education, and outreach at institutions of higher education."
This Act was introduced into the House in 2005 and narrowly failed by three votes. We plan to work with Congress to reintroduce the bill in 2006. Please let us know if you are willing to join the growing list of organizations and institutions which endorse and support this Act by contacting Jim Elder at elder@FundEE.org or by calling 978-526-7768.
For more information on The Higher Education and Sustainability Act of 2005 please click the following links:
Read the Higher Education and Sustainability Act of 2005
Background on HESA
The Sustainability Challenge for Business and Society
The Critical Role of Higher Education
Encouraging Rapid Adoption of Education for Sustainability
How Might $50 Million Be Distributed?
What Might This Funding Accomplish?
