With the earth facing serious predicaments like global warming, land degradation, e-wastes, ozone depletion, overpopulation, etc., the well-being of our future generations is in grave danger. To ensure that this doesn’t happen, it is the duty of this generation to take appropriate measures and one of the best ways to do this is by practicing ‘Sustainability’.According to United Nations,the definition of sustainability is “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

There are many Universities who practice sustainability. Here are the top 5 Sustainable Universities –

University of New Hampshire – Promoting the oldest sustainability program in the American higher education, the University of New Hampshire has been practicing environment friendly activities since 1997. The university has its own agronomy research facility named as Kingman Farm. Around 4 tons of food waste is saved from being dumped in landfills and instead used in the research at Kingman Farm. The UNH is also active in other projects like power management, organic farming, etc. making it a commendable green school.

Harvard University – Along with providing one the finest education in the world, Harvard University, also, sets an example by being one of the most environment friendly universities. Harvard has vowed to decrease its greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 30% by the year 2016. The school also purchases a portion of its energy from eco-friendly fuel sources like solar and hydro power sources.

Arizona State University – The first School of Sustainability in USA was created by the Arizona State University, where students can major and practice sustainability and other eco-friendly projects. There are 9 buildings in the school that are certified by LEED, which means that these buildings have complied with stringent waste reduction and energy efficient measures. The food served in the university is produced in the campus itself. Also, free bus passes are given to students to encourage public transportation, making Arizona State University one of the greenest schools in the country.

Tufts University – Tufts University is known for blending eco-friendly practices with the daily lives of students without making them do any extra work. Every building of the school is powered by solar panels or by energy bought from biodiesel, hydro-electric, and thermal or natural gas plants. Also many rooms of the school have light sensors which are automatically switched off when there’s no one in the room, thus saving loads of energy. Tufts, also, features green roof on its new buildings which allows better use of rain water and lesser loss of heat. All these ventures make the Tufts University a truly sustainable school.

Middlebury College – The Franklin Environmental Center of Middlebury College is one of the most environment friendly structures in the US. The building has earned a LEED Platinum certification because of its extraordinary features like energy efficient lighting, use of recycled materials in the construction, use of groundwater in the air conditioning, etc. The food waste of the school is used for crop fertilization. The school also runs a compost program which ensures that all waste is properly handled and not dumped in landfills. Middlebury is truly a deserving top sustainable university because of its passionate efforts in energy efficient, composting and recycling programs.