Sierra magazine has named UC Davis the nation’s “Coolest School” for its sustainability and climate change efforts.
An international powerhouse in the environmental sciences, UC Davis ranked No. 1 among the 96 top colleges and universities surveyed.
In bestowing the “Coolest School” ranking, the Sierra Club’s official publication praised UC Davis for establishing rigorous green purchasing standards; diverting nearly 70 percent of campus trash from landfills; and offering an extensive transportation system that includes the student-run, natural gas-powered Unitrans bus service, 42 miles of bike paths and 21,000-plus bike parking spaces on its 5,300-acre campus.
Other ways that UC Davis has distinguished itself, according to Sierra magazine, include:
- a Climate Action Plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions below 2000 levels
- a Smart Lighting Initiative to reduce electrical use by 60 percent by 2015
- buying more local and organic food products for campus dining
