GREENVILLE, S.C., Oct. 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- OnlineCollegePlan.com's latest ranking recognizes the Top 20 Greenest Colleges of 2016 (http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/greenest-colleges/).

Methane and carbon dioxide are not optional; they need to be present so that human life can persist on Earth. However, thanks to an over-emittance of these gases, they are in excess in our atmosphere, which gradually increases the average surface temperature of the planet. We call this global warming, and industrialization, agriculture, even automobile travel contributes to it every year. There are several organizations, and innovations, that are working toward the goals of slowing this process, and ensuring that we stop contributing to it as fast as we are. Things like solar energy, and sustainable farming practices all play a role. Some businesses even offer green parking, for those who drive electric or hybrid vehicles.

With the state of our planet and our habit of turning a blind eye to that, sustainability and being environmentally friendly are more important than they have ever been. From monumental efforts like solar sourcing their energy, to smaller things like encouraging ridesharing, these 20 schools go above and beyond in their care for their students and faculty, and the planet we live on.

Tonie Miyamoto, Co-Chair of the President's Sustainability Committee at Colorado State University (Fort Collins, CO) had this to say about their number one spot on this list, "It is an honor to be included in the Top 20 Greenest Colleges of 2016. Recognitions like this represent Colorado State's ongoing commitment to sustainability in the classroom, in the field, and around the globe." As explained in the ranking, CSU is the first and only school to have ever received a Platinum rating from the STARS program, which is dedicated to honoring institutions for their efforts and contributions to sustainability as a long term goal.

The rest of the list in ascending order is as follows:

2. University of California - Irvine (Irvine, CA)

3. University of Georgia (Athens, GA)

4. Arizona State University (Phoenix, AZ)

5. American University (Washington, D. C.)

6. Stanford University (Stanford, CA)

7. Colby College (Waterville, ME)

8. University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)

9. University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh (Oshkosh, WI)

10. University of Connecticut (Storrs, CT)

11. University of Colorado - Boulder (Boulder, CO)

12. Emory University (Atlanta, GA)

13. University of Massachusetts - Amherst (Amherst, MA)

14. University of California - Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, CA)

15. Portland State University (Portland, OR)

16. Oregon State University (Corvallis, OR)

17. Furman University (Greenville, SC)

18. University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC)

19. Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA)

20. Green Mountain College (Poultney, VT)

Brandon Carter
Research Editor
Email 
864 508 6913
http://www.onlinecollegeplan.com/

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SOURCE OnlineCollegePlan.com