We are at risk of losing more than we can ever imagine if we don’t wake up to climate change’s pernicious noise. Right now, we face a multitude of problems (varying weather patterns, loss of agricultural production, harmed human health, etc) that we as a society only have so much time to be spared from until climate change’s consequences are truly irreversible. It is our responsibility to meet the real urgency climate change presents and take action. That is why we are asking Idaho State University President, Kevin Satterlee, to commit to one of Second Nature's Climate Leadership Commitments and create a University Project Charter regarding sustainability on campus. 

Our government, local businesses, and community members have already begun to take leadership action as seen by our advancement in alternative transportation, energy-efficient buildings, and sustainable practices. Idaho Power, which is the energy provider of ISU, has committed itself to 100% clean energy by 2045. The City of Pocatello has utilized Idaho Power’s incentive program and converted the interior and exterior lighting of the Marshall Public Library, Community Recreation Center, and City Hall to LED lighting. In 2019, the Pocatello Regional Airport reduced its electricity consumption equivalent to 13 homes and saved the airport nearly $9,500 in energy costs. As one can tell, there is a growing trend to become more sustainable. Yet, there is much more that we can and must do on our campus.

Educational institutions like ISU are in a unique position. Although our large buildings and operating systems can be significant contributors to carbon emissions, through the intentional use of time and resources, colleges and universities can be catalysts for action. University-based climate action holds opportunities for growth and change. We must look toward the expansive potential that ISU college students, faculty, and administrators hold.

We must aim to create and maintain a healthy, sustainable future for the ISU and Pocatello community at large. Emma Watts and Rituraj Yadav, two ISU students, have dedicated their school year toward establishing a sustainability board, conducting data analysis, and formulating sustainability area goals and benchmarks. If enacted, their plan is expected to reduce ISU energy consumption by 15% in the first two years of execution.  

Emma and Rituraj are dedicated to establishing a Sustainability Plan at ISU and preserving our community’s most precious resources: money, energy, and time. Join Emma and Rituraj in asking for administrative support, a sustainability committee, a sustainability class, and three student-led projects. These ideas are backed by ASISU, the ISU Facilities department, and various student clubs. But, we need your support. 

The call for more environmentally-friendly practices is growing louder and louder. At the state level, our congressman Mike Simpson proposes to remove the Lower Snake dams to restore salmon to our ecosystems and replace the lost energy from those dams with new forms of green energy. At the national level, our current administration is developing plans toward an equitable clean energy future.

Within the educational sector, Idaho college administrators are listening and taking action. University of Idaho, Boise State University, Brigham Young University-Idaho, College of Southern Idaho, and other colleges and universities have already pledged sustainable practices on their campuses. It’s now our opportunity to take the lead on this issue for everyone’s benefit. We hope you will sign this petition and help us move one step closer to creating a vibrant, collaborative, and innovative ISU community. This is your opportunity to be a part of the solution. Together, let’s lead in sustainable action and find impactful climate change solutions at Idaho State University. The time is now.

With an online transition in our academic institutions and communication methods, we strongly encourage you to sign and share this petition within your professional and personal ISU networks. We would like as many Bengals to get involved as possible. 

When signing this petition, please use your ISU email.***

If you are interested in learning more about our requests, please click on this link. If you would like to take a more active role, feel free to reach out to Emma Watts at emmawatts@isu.edu or Rituraj Yadav at riturajyadav@isu.edu.