With a stroke of the pen, Dalhousie President Tom Traves signed his name to the University and College Presidents' Climate Change Statement of Action.

Signing the document commits Dalhousie to significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases. Further, the university must complete an inventory of greenhouse gas emissions with a year; set targets and develop an action plan within two years; and take a leadership role within the community to educate about global climate change. Most of the actions agreed to are already underway at Dalhousie.

“The environment is already an area of concern in our research and teaching,” said Dr. Traves. “Now it’s time for us to walk the talk and commit our institution to good environmental stewardship.”

Rochelle Owen, director of Dalhousie’s Office of Sustainability, looked over President Traves’s shoulder as he signed the statement at the newly opened Campus Bike Centre in the Studley Gymnasium. Since coming to Dalhousie two years ago, Ms. Owen has been spearheading efforts to inspire a new culture of sustainability and environmental protection at the university.