(Wolfville, NS) - Acadia University today announced it
has signed the Talloires Declaration, a ten-point action
plan for incorporating sustainability and environmental
literacy in teaching, research, operations and outreach
at colleges and universities. The Talloires Declaration
has been signed by over 320 university presidents and
chancellors in over 40 countries.
The Talloires Declaration was originally signed in 1990
by 20 university presidents at the Tufts University
campus in Talloires, France, who publicized their
concerns about the unprecedented scale and speed of
environmental pollution and degradation, and the
depletion of natural resources. The Talloires
Declaration has formed the basis for many subsequent
agreements and a secretariat—University
Leaders for a Sustainable Future—
pursues its mission through research, resource
development, assessment, membership support, and forming
international partnerships to advance education for
sustainability. Further information on the Association
of University Leaders for a Sustainable Future can be
viewed at
http://www.ulsf.org/.
Acadia and the Arthur Irving Academy for the Environment
have instituted a number of initiatives relevant to the
Talloires Declaration, including: an extensive waste
reduction awareness program (AWARE); audits of energy
and other resource use on campus; and the Campus
Sustainability Assessment Framework, which uses
educational mechanisms to assess and promote the
sustainability of all university operations. In
addition, the University’s new Biology building which is
scheduled to open in January 2008 is Atlantic Canada’s
first academic science building to be LEED Gold
certified.
Acadia University, in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, has long
been recognized as one of Canada’s premier undergraduate
institutions. With its nationally and internationally
recognized research initiatives, small classes and
technology-rich teaching and learning environment,
Acadia offers students an experience that includes
academic achievement combined with personal growth and
development. For more information about Acadia, visit
our website at
www.acadiau.ca.
