Recognized by Governor John Baldacci 
Unity College Awarded Citation for Achievement With Governor’s Carbon Challenge, Reduces Carbon Emissions by 20% Since 2001

Unity, Maine – December, 2007 — Maine’s leader in sustainability has been recognized by the State of Maine for its innovation and commitment to energy efficiency.

     Maine’s Governor John Baldacci has awarded a citation to Unity College for its outstanding performance in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, a voluntary
goal-setting program to assist businesses and non-profit organizations accomplish their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.

President Mitchell Thomashow

     Unity College met the Governor’s Carbon Challenge with a remarkable 20% overall reduction in carbon emissions since 2001, confirmed Mick Womersley, an Associate Professor and Director of Sustainability at the college that bills itself as America’s Environmental College.

     Unity and its 550 students and 60 faculty members, measured a per capita emissions reduction of 28% since 2001, despite adding new building space and students, according to Womersley.

     “With our long-standing commitment to environmental education and our Sustainability program, we set an aggressive Governor’s Carbon Challenge goal of 25% reduction in carbon emissions, as well as a 5% per year minimum reduction,” said Womersley.

     “Unity College is delighted to participate in this exemplary program,” said President Mitchell Thomashow.  “It is fitting for Maine’s colleges and universities to take leadership, galvanizing students and local communities, demonstrating how the college campus can be a living laboratory for sustainability initiatives.”

Mick Womersley, Director of Sustainability

and Associate Professor

     Founded in 1965 in Unity, Maine, the chronology of “Forty-four years of Sustainability at Unity College” includes other notable progress milestones such as using 100% Maine-based renewable electricity, teaching sustainability (including climate change as a good proxy measure) in the classroom and developing a more sustainable campus, conducting a major energy audit of all campus buildings, and replacing inefficient older “leaky” buildings with the construction of new green buildings while employing maximum use of local Maine materials and design/construction know-how.  Unity College determined their actual carbon emissions are the lowest of any other college they could find, according to Womersley.

     Unity College is a small private college in rural Maine that provides dedicated, engaged students with a liberal arts education which emphasizes the environment and natural resources.  Unity College graduates are prepared to be environmental stewards, effective leaders, and responsible citizens through active learning experiences within a supportive community.