Oberlin’s environmental accomplishments “are music to a tree hugger’s ears,” writes Sierra magazine, which just named Oberlin number one among America's Top 10 “Coolest” Schools.

Oberlin is followed by Harvard University, Warren Wilson College, the University of California system, Duke University, and Middlebury College.

Sierra gives 6 reasons for Oberlin receiving the top ranking: among them, a third of the food served in the dining halls is produced locally, the College hosts the first car-sharing program in Ohio, student activity fees subsidize public transportation, and a considerable portion of its electricity comes from green sources.

Writing about Oberlin, the editors also point out that “a real-time monitoring system tracks 17 dorms and displays how much juice all those laptops, blenders, and iPod chargers are burning at any moment. Last spring Oberlin held its first eco-friendly commencement, with biodegradable utensils and programs printed on 100 percent recycled paper.”

The November/December 2007 cover story, 10 Coolest Schools, also recognizes David Orr in “Top of the Profs: an environmentalist’s dream class schedule.”

“Oberlin is thrilled to be recognized by Sierra as America's Coolest School,” says Nathan Engstrom, coordinator of the Office of Sustainability. “Reducing our carbon footprint of 50,000 tons-per-year down to zero won't be easy, but if anyone can become carbon neutral, Oberlin can.”

The top 10 list is the centerpiece of a five-page spread titled “Go Big Green,” which chronicles students’ bright ideas and innovative approaches throughout the country.

“Many young people see environmental problems—especially global warming—as the challenge of their generation,” write the editors, adding that 400 college and university presidents have signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment to make their institutions carbon neutral; Oberlin was the first of its peer institutions to sign the pledge.

The publication says this is the first time it has done a survey of America’s greenest campuses: “If students start their adult lives in a culture of sustainability, they just might take that ethos with them wherever they go.”

Sierra, with a circulation of 1.2 million readers, is the national magazine of the Sierra Club, the nation's oldest and largest grassroots environmental group.

Related Links:
Answering the Call for Climate Leadership (December 2006)