Mason Climate Champions

    During Earth Week, 2008, Mason’s Sustainability Coordinator Lenna Storm launched a communication campaign with the help of the Comm 590 class that conducted a Climate Commitment Survey the previous month. Mason’s Climate Champions – several hundred members of the Mason community who, in response to the survey, volunteered to help support President Merten by informing other people at Mason how they can reduce their energy use and greenhouse gas emissions – are a key part of that communication campaign. Word-of-mouth recommendations by Mason’s Climate Champions will play an important role in activating others at Mason to reduce their – and the university’s – carbon footprint.

    Mason’s Climate Champions were invited to a training session on April 23rd, 2008 to provide them with some key materials intended to help them make effective word-of-mouth recommendations. The materials provided at training can be downloaded here (below and in the box to the right), and are available for your use.

    Key Messages
    Many members of the Mason Community are not yet aware that Mason has committed to climate neutrality. Achieving 90% awareness level within our community is the primary goal of the campaign. Start up a conversation: “Did you know that Mason has committed to climate neutrality?”

    Mason’s Actions to Reduce Emissions
    Mason has already made great strides to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions that are saving the university more than $1 million every year in energy costs, and additional actions are currently being planned.

    Key Actions People at Mason Can Take
    Reducing Mason’s greenhouse gas emissions is up to all of us. Simple steps like turning out lights when leaving a room can make a real difference.

    Environment, Sustainability, and Climate Change Related Classes
    Taking one of Mason’s many courses related to climate change and sustainability is a great way to meet others and get involved.

    Survey Results
    More than 3500 people responded to the Climate Commitment Survey. An overwhelming 90% said they would feel pleased or very pleased if Mason succeeded in greatly reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

    These materials provide everything you need to know to be an effective Climate Champion in Mason’s climate commitment communication campaign. Feel free to use them as you see fit.

    If you are not already one of Mason’s Climate Champions and wish to be, email the Sustainability Coordinator to sign up. As a Climate Champion, you will receive intermittent emails from Mason’s Sustainability Coordinator informing you about progress toward our goal and the ways in which you can help.



Link to the Sustainability Homepage