On Tuesday, April 3, Environment America was joined by Massachusetts State Representatives Mike Connolly and Christine Barber for a panel on renewable energy at Tufts University.

Environment America, a citizen-funded environmental advocacy organization, is organizing to win a public commitment from Tufts to 100 percent renewable energy by 2050. If adopted, that would mean that by 2050, Tufts would get all of its electricity from renewable sources, fully electrify the heating and cooling systems in its buildings, and move to an all-electric fleet of university-owned vehicles.

“By publicly committing to 100 percent renewable energy, Tufts can play a leading role in speeding up the clean energy transition that students want and need – and the cleaner, healthier future that it will bring,” said Jake Taber, a Tufts Alum and a Clean Energy Fellow with Environment America.

The 100 Percent Renewable Campuses campaign at Tufts has been building momentum over the past semester. Environment America, with the help of more than 20 volunteers, has collected more than 700 student petitions and 50 faculty endorsements for a public commitment from Tufts to go 100 percent renewable by 2050.

Calls for Tufts to commit to 100 percent renewables come as Tufts has taken a series of steps to respond to the climate crisis. In 2016, university president Anthony Monaco signed the Second Nature Presidents’ Climate Commitment, committing the university to carbon neutrality. The recently-constructed Science and Engineering Complex and Collaborative Learning & Innovation Complex are low-energy, efficient buildings. And solar installations on Tufts Grafton and Medford campuses are reducing emissions and giving clean energy a prominent presence on campus.

In the week leading up to Tuesday’s panel, 10 professors from a wide range of departments participated in a university-wide “teach-in,” dedicating 15-30 minutes of class time to talking about climate change, renewable energy or sustainability through the lens of their class.

“Don’t believe the nay-sayers who wish to lull us into inaction with the argument that the technology just isn’t there to go 100% renewable (and get there by 2050),” professor Jonathan Kenny, who participated in the teach-in and who teaches environmental chemistry, said in an email. “Renewables are ready to roll (at Tufts and in Massachusetts) right now!”

“I think discussing sustainability and climate action is crucial here at SMFA,” Patte Loper, a professor at Tufts’ School at the Museum of Fine Arts, who also participated in the teach-in, said. “Through the arts, we have the ability to envision alternatives to the dominant future on offer by our current political reality.”

More and more communities, business and institutions are making commitments to 100 percent renewable energy. In addition to Cornell and Boston University, Colorado State University, the University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point and Hampshire College have made commitments to using 100 percent renewable sources.

Along with the Student PIRGs, Environment America is working with students on more than 65 campuses nationwide, including more than 20 in Massachusetts, to show broad support for 100 percent clean, renewable energy generation.

“By joining forces with motivated and active students here at Tufts, we can emphasize the importance and urgency of using 100 percent renewable energy,” said Taber. “By getting our administration on board, we can repower our campus with 100 percent renewable energy, then with that shining example, move on to our community and state.”

— Environment America