Responsiblity - Reduce - Reuse -
Recycle
St. John's Sustainability Initiative (STJSI) exists
to advance the university efforts for a sustainable future by
working with administrative, staff, faculty, and students to
provide knowledge, skills and motivation that will integrate
sustainability responsibilities into construction of new
facilities, operation of existing facilities and working / learning
activities.
In 2007 President Rev. Donald J. Harrington, C.M.
signed the "Mayoral Challenge for 30 in 10". In January 2008 the
university established an office of sustainability within the
Department of Facilities Services.
St. John’s
Joins NYC Mayor For Landmark Announcement To Fight Global Climate
Change
In February 2008 St. John's became the first
university in NYC to present a plan to meet and exceed the Mayoral
Challenge to reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent for all
campuses. And, the plan shows the reduction in one half the time
allotted.
In March 2008 the Office of Facilities Services
hired its first group of student workers as Sustainability
Coordinators. At an October 2008 press
release,Mayor Bloomberg lauded St. John’s a “gold
star”.
Achievements of the STJSI will always be a work in
progress. The measurable efforts are tied to how well we can lower
the impact on the environment and most importantly educating
individuals who will take leadership in making the world more
sustainable regardless of their chosen fields.
The most common measurable target categories for
the STJSI are lowering our carbon footprint, conserving natural
resources of water, trees and energy, and reduction of the use of
paper and increased recycling.
In short, the STJSI employs the standard 3-Rs
Reduce, Reuse & Recycle and adds one more,
Responsibility.