CLIMATE JUSTICE
At Appalachian State University in Boone, NC
Our Demands
As a public university, App State must begin serving the public by taking immediate and bold climate action that centers the needs of community members, especially those who are and will be most impacted by the climate crisis.
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1. CREATE A CLIMATE ACTION COMMITTEE COMPOSED OF STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF, AND ADMINISTRATION BY FALL 2021
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2. CREATE A "PURCHASING PLAN", REDIRECTING ~$100 MILLION PER YEAR TO LOCAL, MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND SUSTAINABLY MADE GOODS.
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3. COMMIT TO PURCHASING 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY BY 2022 AND CREATE POLICIES FOR COMMUNITY SOLAR AND HOME WEATHERIZATION.
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4. REINVEST $50 MILLION IN SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE AT APP, COMMUNITY BANKS AND FUNDS, AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (INSTEAD OF MILITARY, FOSSIL FUELS, MINING, AND INCARCERATION).
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Why These Demands?
We've learned a lot through our past efforts to make change in Boone and at App State. Now, we hope to put our knowledge of complex institutional systems to work. We know that facing the climate crisis means that we need to make systemic change.
Our petition focuses on democracy, climate justice, creating accountability and the use of public resources for climate action that benefits the our local and global communities.
Why Should You Care?
App State is a public university - meaning our tax money should be used for the benefit of the public. App controls and influences many of our local and regional resources. Necessary local resources such as housing, electricity, water, waste management, and jobs are impacted by how the university chooses to operate. This has local, regional and global impacts on our social and environmental systems, that cannot be ignored.
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App State has a responsibility, the funding and expertise necessary to change its practices to reflect the university's goals of justice and sustainability. It's time that we come together and push App State in the right direction to create a more resilient community.