Sierra magazine, the national publication of the Sierra Club, released its 14th annual “Cool Schools” competitive ranking of North America’s greenest colleges and universities on Sept. 28, ranking Arizona State University fourth out of more than 300 institutions.
This is the fourth year ASU has scored in the top 20; last year it was No. 10.
Each of the schools ranked in the top 20 by Sierra magazine have displayed a deep and thorough commitment to protecting the environment, addressing climate issues, and encouraging environmental responsibility. Using a customized scoring system, Sierra’s researchers ranked the universities based on their commitment to upholding high environmental standards.
“Over the last two decades, ASU has been a leader and innovator in sustainability education, research, and practice,” said Christopher Boone, dean of the new College of Global Futures. “It created the nation’s first School of Sustainability and reached its carbon neutrality goals six years ahead of schedule. I’m proud that ASU is being recognized for its achievements in sustainability and demonstrating that it can be done at scale, with a student enrollment of 130,000 students.”
For students who want to improve the world, there is no better place to study and become engaged, said Andrew Maynard, associate dean of curricula and student success in the College of Global Futures.
“(In the new College of Global Futures) we’re in the business of empowering our students to be agents of change,” Maynard said. “And our ranking in this year's Sierra Club’s Coolest Schools ratings just confirms that, if you’re passionate about changing the future for the better, there’s no better place to be.”