Oberlin Named Finalist in Second Nature Climate Leadership Awards

Oberlin College was named a finalist in the fourth annual Second Nature 2013 Climate Leadership Awards, an annual competition among colleges and universities that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC).

The awards program is sponsored by Second Nature, a national nonprofit that seeks to create a sustainable society by transforming higher education, and PlanetForward, a media company that published news, opinion, and insight about energy, climate, and sustainability.

"Oberlin has been and continues to be a pioneer in the movement toward a sustainable future,” says Rob Lamppa, Oberlin director of sustainability and energy management. “From administrative and board leadership, curricular engagement, green buildings and energy, to outreach and community-wide involvement through alumni and the Oberlin Project, the college is working to engage all its constituencies behind this initiative. The selection of Oberlin as a Second Nature Climate Leadership Award finalist is recognition of our strong commitment to see this through, and of our intent to remain a leading example of how to get there." 

This year drew the largest and most competitive pool of nominations to date.  Second Nature will partner with PlanetForward on a public voting competition featuring the finalists’ climate leadership and campus innovations during Earth Month (April 2013).

“The caliber of this year’s nominations is unparalleled,” said ACUPCC Director Ashka Naik. “The depth and breadth of climate leadership and sustainability education programs demonstrated by these finalists is a reflection of their deep commitment to truly innovative solutions for a sustainable future.”

The awards will feature a public, online voting component. Each of the 20 finalists will produce a video that promotes its specific sustainability efforts. Voting will be open during Earth Month. Last year’s voting competition drew more than 70,000 video views and 14,000 votes.

In late spring, award winners will be chosen, independent of the video voting competition, by members of the Second Nature Board not affiliated with ACUPCC signatory schools.

More information on the awards is at the Second Nature website.