Student Assembly - Resolution 20 (2024-2025)

Climate Renewal Vows

• Term:
  2024-2025
• Assembly:
  Student Assembly
• Status: Adopted by the Assembly
• Abstract: Recognizing Cornell University's duty to address the global climate crisis, not only as a moral imperative but also due to the tangible and negative impacts of neglecting climate related issues on its operations, community, and reputation.
  
  Sponsored by: Marissa Brucker ‘26, Jenna Saevitzon ‘25, Sierra Burror ‘25, Adam Vinson ‘25, Lydia Blum ‘27, Eeshaan Chaudhuri ‘27, Christian Tarala ‘27, Eric Yao ‘27
  Type of Action: Recommendation
  Originally Presented: 12/05/2024
  Current Status: Adopted by the Assembly, 12/05/2024
  
  Whereas, recent IPCC reports indicate that human activities have caused approximately 1.1°C of warming since 2011-2020, temporarily exceeding 1.5°C since the pre-industrial period (1850-1900). The past few years have been the hottest on record, and intensifying climate-related catastrophes and increasing pressure on communities, economies, and ecosystems show signs of getting perilously close to the long-term warming limit of 1.5°C outlined in the Paris Agreement;
  
  Whereas, these effects are evident in New York State, with rising temperatures driving changes in weather patterns that threaten agriculture, food security, and local economies reliant on stable climatic conditions;
  
  Whereas, as a self-proclaimed leading institution in climate science and sustainability, Cornell University has a unique responsibility to act in alignment with the urgency of the climate crisis, safeguard the rights of students to a habitable future, and equip students with the tools and knowledge to navigate the challenges of the crisis ahead;
  
  Whereas, Cornell’s current Climate Action Plan fails to adequately address the urgency of the crisis, as it lacks the bold, comprehensive measures needed to mitigate the immediate and long-term impacts of climate change on the university and broader community;
  
  Whereas, prioritizing decarbonization in all future construction projects, reducing the demand for energy and resources, actively revising campus policies to avoid high-carbon activities, and ensuring all new construction undergoes rigorous oversight and certification under Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards are critical measures Cornell must undertake;
  
  Whereas, ensuring low-carbon, plant-based dining options, food waste donations, and composting program expansion should be prioritized in dining halls to combat the annual 800 tons of food scraps and organic kitchen waste generated by Cornell dining halls and cafés, promote environmentally friendly consumption habits, and align operations with climate goals;
  
  Whereas, establishing additional composting drop-off sites in high-density student areas, such as Collegetown, Hasbrouck Apartments, and Pleasant Grove Apartments, in partnership with the Tompkins County Solid Waste Department, could further increase student participation in composting, reduce organic waste sent to landfills, and support broader waste diversion efforts;
  
  Whereas, students call for leadership that prioritizes climate initiatives at the forefront, as was the case with past university presidents highlighting the need to appoint a full-time president who prioritizes environmental issues on campus and in the greater Ithaca community, and to enact broader institutional changes at the highest levels of university governance, including
  expanding the Office of Sustainability, assigning a high-level administrator to promote climate actions on campus, and establishing regular meetings between senior administrators and a student climate advisory committee to ensure sustained and focused leadership on climate action;
  
  Be it therefore resolved, Cornell University should adopt the following actions to enhance its Climate Action Plan and fulfill its obligation to its students, community, and global leadership role:
  1. Leadership Commitment: Seek a full-time university president committed to addressing campus and community
  environmental issues, ensuring that sustainability remains a core institutional priority.
  2. Accelerate Decarbonization: Commit to halving carbon emissions (rather than net zero) by 2030, and rapid decreases
  towards zero after that, integrating robust decarbonization and resource consumption reduction strategies across all
  new campus construction and existing infrastructure, without relying on offsetting.
  3. Restructure for Low-Carbon Living: Actively shift campus policies and infrastructure away from high-carbon activities
  while encouraging low-carbon alternatives, particularly in dining, transportation, and housing.
  4. Expand Dining Sustainability: Expand low-carbon footprint meal options in dining halls, strengthen food waste donation
  programs, and expand composting initiatives for Cornell eateries and dense student living areas to minimize environ.
  mental impact.
  5. Accurate Emissions Reporting: A comprehensive emissions baseline inventory should include all significant emission
  sources, such as methane, to guide equitable and science-based climate goals.
  6. Advocate for Climate Equity: Mobilize academic and community resources to drive climate resilience, prioritizing the
  voices of frontline and Indigenous communities in adaptation efforts.
  
  Be it further resolved, Cornell University and the Office of Student Government Relations should commit to advocating for systemic legislative action and inspiring other institutions to address the climate crisis with urgency (e.g. enhancing energy efficiency in various campus operations or funding and supporting research specifically searching for climate solutions).
  
  Be it finally resolved, Cornell University should affirm its responsibility to lead transformative shifts toward climate justice, ensuring students’ rights to a habitable future while protecting the community from the far-reaching impacts of inaction.
  
  Respectfully Submitted,
  
  Marissa Brucker ’26
  Member, Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
  
  Jenna Saevitzon ‘25
  Member, Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
  
  Sierra Burror ‘25
  Member, Environmental Committee, Student Assembly
  
  Adam Vinson ‘25
  Executive Vice President of the Student Assembly
  
  Lydia Blum ‘27
  College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Representative, Student Assembly
  
  Eeshaan Chaudhuri ‘27
  Brooks School of Public Policy Representative, Student Assembly
  
  Christian Tarala ‘27
  Nolan School of Hotel Administration Representative, Student Assembly
  
  Eric Yao ‘27
  Undesignated Representative At-Large, Student Assembly
• Resolution File:
  Resolution 20 (1).pdf (240.32 KB)
• Supporting Documents:
• Sponsors:
• Reviewing Committee: