Did you know Muhlenberg has solar panels in Texas? To find this out, some serious digging has to be done on the College’s website. So, why Texas? Muhlenberg is in Pennsylvania after all. The model followed for this sustainability initiative is called carbon offsetting and is often how net zero-emission goals are reached. The issue with offsets is that the original emissions still take place and contribute to the climate crisis at large. Now, I don’t want to completely tear apart Muhlenberg’s sustainability initiatives because they are quite substantial in comparison to other schools. However, there is more to be desired from a school with proclaimed sustainability goals and a large endowment.
Carbon offsets are not a sufficient solution to combating climate change. The concept creates an inadequate mindset for creating meaningful and effective change. Carbon offsetting places nearly all the control, impetus for action and responsibility on consumers, even though large corporations are mostly at fault for global emissions. This concept makes it hard for people to recognize and fight against the huge amounts of emissions created by large corporations.
The status of Muhlenberg’s divestment from fossil fuel corporations and other corrupting organizations is unclear. Since Muhlenberg does have a substantial endowment, it would be great to be able to easily learn more about what the school is invested in and if those companies are in line with the shiny sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion goals of the school. It can be hard to know which of the school’s words are performative and which are supported with broad action.
I do want to say that what Muhlenberg is doing related to sustainability does have commendable aspects, especially when thinking about what other colleges and institutions are—or are not—doing. A big part of why I decided to attend Muhlenberg in the first place is because of these sustainability initiatives and my ability to have a sustainability studies major. However, I’d be remiss to view everything the school is doing without any critique and curiosity. The goals of carbon neutrality are not enough when the world is witnessing the devastating and worsening impacts of climate change.
Net zero-emission or carbon-neutral targets create a false sense of hope and give a perception that companies/businesses/etc are sufficiently dealing with their greenhouse gas emissions. When it is a carbon-neutral target being worked towards (which is what Muhlenberg proudly has), significant greenhouse gases are still being emitted into the air.
Muhlenberg’s solar energy purchase is to “mitigate 100 percent of… emissions associated with energy usage” which is substantial and I don’t want to downplay this. At the same time, emissions caused by energy use do not cover all emissions caused by Muhlenberg operating and the students living here. Think about all the energy consumed by the lights, some of which are kept on 24/7, in the academic buildings, Seegers Union, residence halls, etc. The fuels that power Muhlenberg’s maintenance carts, buses, and assorted other machinery. The emission of carbon and other pollutants into the atmosphere created by Muhlenberg’s operation and the lifestyles of the students, professors and staff continues to contribute to the harm of the environment.
The solar panels are in Texas, which as explained in Muhlenberg’s announcement article, was a decision that allows the project to avoid the need to clear trees, displace farms, and in the end, this decision reduces more emissions. I appreciate this logic as it would be very ironic to cut trees down in the name of sustainability. Still, Texas is very far away and my understanding is that not very many people know about the offsets purchased (partially because of the distance).
So what else is being done on the actual Muhlenberg campus to further reduce environmental impacts? Muhlenberg has won multiple campus sustainability awards and the new Parkway Boulevard Building is “one of the first 20 projects in the world to pursue CORE green certification.” On the one hand, these are impressive feats but on the other hand, student/faculty/staff awareness of what sustainability can look like and how to influence meaningful change is lacking. EnACT, which was once an environmental action group on campus, died off (but look out for it to make a comeback in the spring semester!) and the campus Sunrise Movement hub also fizzled out. The continuation of sustainability initiatives and education is a struggle as students rotate out, the pandemic-influenced involvement, and the position of Campus Sustainability Officer is currently unfilled. To be fair, sustainability is not the only issue facing the College and there needs to be enough money and attention on a variety of issues. But, sustainability must be put at the forefront as it is made to be a crosscutting method of acting that should connect economics, the environment and social justice.
Sustainability means a lot more than installing LED light bulbs or using in-trend ‘sustainable’ products. Depending on students’ field of study, the interconnected nature of the world economy, injustices, climate change, politics, etc. may or may not be conceptualized. Especially at a liberal arts college, but arguably for any institution striving to educate students and prepare them for the future, global interconnection and sustainability ought to be taught to every single student. Perhaps this looks like a required learning experience so everyone has the same base level understanding.
So what else could we, as a school, do? Compost could be a path to look down as it would hugely reduce the food waste going to landfills and make nutrient-rich soil instead. Bringing reusable cups to Java Joe’s stopped being allowed with the onset of the pandemic, which is understandable. Perhaps this is something to return to as the pandemic has become less of a threat. Reusable cups and bags cannot be the end all be all of the sustainability efforts because we are far past that being a viable solution. Individual action, while important, will not solve the climate crisis.
There are many ideas surrounding what in turn will solve the crisis. What needs to happen is action. Transition to renewable resources, elect representatives that will subsidize the cost. Build infrastructure that supports efficient and affordable public transportation. Work to dismantle the oppressive powers of capitalism so justice can be restored to communities historically and currently marginalized. These are just some of the many avenues sustainability can go. The solution to climate change needs to be widespread and present in how every company, manufacturer, and person functions and carbon-neutral goals make it seem like the solution to climate change can be bought away in some far-off field. Muhlenberg has many more opportunities to reduce its carbon footprint on the campus itself. The sustainability studies major is growing in popularity and there are many students passionate or interested in climate justice. The conversation around sustainability must continue around campus and in the school’s administration.
