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The Just Climate Action Plan
for Appalachian State University
making the "impossible" possible
making the possible desirable
making the desirable natural
contents
art by MJ Sanqui
I. foreword
II. introduction
context: a climate emergency
III. overview of appalachian state greenhouse
gas emissions
our emissions trajectory: neutrality by 2115
it's actually worse: our hidden emissions
and worse still: accounting for historical emissions
IV. organizing for a Just Transition at app state:
systemic problems require systemic change
a Just Transition to combat an extractive economy
biodiversity must not be ignored
app state as an anchor institution
V. simple "neutrality" by 2022
going one step beyond simple "neutrality"
VI. appalachian's Just Transition:
offsetting carbon through justice
ethical purchasing
agroforestry carbon farming
energy justice
solutions requiring further research
​
what is the Just
climate action
plan (CAP)?
The Appalachian Climate Action Collaborative (ClimAct) has been fighting for climate action in the High Country since 2018. ClimAct began working with Appalachian State University (ASU) to draft a climate action plan for the institution, but the organization was disappointed by the process and expected results of the ASU CAP. The Just CAP is an alternative climate action plan that prioritizes the framework of a Just Transition to climate neutrality, working toward a Regenerative Economy.
why did ClimAct create the Just CAP?
The Just CAP was created to provide critiques and suggestions for the ASU CAP, outlining swift, decisive, and feasible actions to achieve a Just Transition and build a Regenerative Economy in our community. Read our letter to members of App State's administration, detailing the reasons for the creation of the Just CAP.
ClimAct is still working on the Just CAP planning process. We welcome critiques and suggestions for the Just CAP, and anyone is welcome to get involved in the planning process. Look out for an announcement for our PUBLIC FORUM, a future event that ClimAct is planning, to build involvement in the Just CAP planning process.
If you would like to be a part of the Just CAP planning process, contract Michael Weiss at weissm2@appstate.edu
updates on the
Just CAP
planning process
highlights from the Just CAP
Neutrality is cheap. Amazingly, this simple path to “neutrality” would cost only $7.4 million dollars per year. By contrast, we currently spend $6.3 million on dirty electricity, natural gas for the steam plant, and a very limited number of carbon offsets. In other words, the university could become carbon neutral in 2022 for only $1.1 million more than we currently spend. For perspective, this extra $1.1 million represents 0.26% (one-quarter of one percent) of total university expenses in 2019.
ASU owns an electric utility! It could purchase 100% renewable energy cost-effectively, encourage solar energy development in Boone with a simple change in policy, and help our community save money and energy by weatherizing low-income homes in Boone.
ASU spent $116 million just on services, supplies, materials, and utilities. Yet, we have virtually no standards or guidelines for what we purchase or who we purchase from. By purchasing locally and ethically, this funding could transform Watauga county's economy, support low-income and marginalized businesses.
Neutrality without justice fails to address the underlying issues and feedback loops that allow and cause climate destruction and social inequity.
Agroforestry “carbon farming” [aka planting trees for timber and food production] could sequester all of ASU’s non-electric carbon. The cost of this ($13.7 million) would be just a small fraction larger than the student-fees that go towards athletics ($11.2 million). All this while producing food systems and ecosystems that would be more resilient to climate change
With a conservative estimate, accounting for the carbon footprint of food purchases would increase our emissions by 28%. Acknowledging this and purchasing local, sustainable, and ethically produced food could greatly decrease our carbon footprint, preserve cultures and landscapes, protect biodiversity, and boost our economy. Changing our food purchases to be more sustainable would also reduce costs by 2%.
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