Oswego State President Deborah Stanley recently signed an open letter to President Donald Trump urging him and the members of the United States Congress to have a future of clean energy.
Stanley was among presidents and chancellors from more than 170 other colleges and universities to sign the letter. The group of higher education institutions asked President Trump and the U.S. Congress to support participation in the Paris Agreement, research in academic institutions and federal agencies, and investments in the low carbon economy as part of a resilient infrastructure.
Second Nature, a Boston-based nonprofit organization, that aims to productively build a sustainable and positive global future organized the letter.
“Your support for these three areas is a critical investment in the future of the millions of students we serve,” the letter reads. “We will continue to prepare graduates for the workforce as well as lead in world-class research and innovation in order to secure a healthier and more prosperous future for all.”
Stanley said the action letter has not received a response from Trump. It was sent to the new Congressional delegation and incoming presidential transition team on Jan. 17. She is hopeful that Trump and members of Congress will respond to the letter and their collective call for action toward a clean energy future.
“We remain committed to developing and deploying innovative climate solutions that provide a prosperous future for all Americans,” Stanley said. “[We] view the transition of federal leadership as a unique opportunity to address the challenges of climate change by accelerating the new energy economy and creating strong, resilient communities.”
Stanley said it was an easy decision to sign the letter.
“Whenever an issue aligns with the very goals we establish for ourselves in the college’s Strategic Plan, it is an easy decision,” Stanley said. “We are committed to conducting practices that enable natural resources and the environment to be responsibly and proactively stewarded and protected. Our work to finding solutions for the grand challenges of our time includes delving into multidisciplinary investigation of problematic social and global issues such as climate change.”
Stanley said regardless of if Trump supports the policies, Oswego State will not waiver in its commitment to being a leader in sustainability.
“We are proud of our rankings amongst the most environmentally responsible colleges by the Princeton review; the recognition we’ve received for constructing or renovating campus buildings to LEED Gold standards; and our long history of striving to protect and preserve the environment,” Stanley said.
Stanley said Oswego State will continue to prepare graduates for the workforce as well as lead in the world-class research and innovation in order to secure a healthier and more prosperous future for all.
“Most importantly, SUNY Oswego will continue to develop our students with the intellectual capability, skills and technology to become environmental stewards of the future,” Stanley said.
Sophomore biology major Ryan Cobane is proud of Stanley for signing the letter to Trump.
“I applaud [Stanley] for standing up for something that I feel is important and I am sure other students feel the same way,” Cobane said. “I think this is an important issue because Trump has often said that he doesn’t support climate change. I am glad to hear that Oswego will not be changing in a way that would negatively impact my education.”
