The Green House Project

The Green House Project was developed cooperatively by Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development and Ohio University’s Office of Sustainability. The goal of the Green House Project is to work with all members of the community to make student rental units more efficient, and to make the housing stock in Athens more appealing to all.  This project will also help Ohio University reach its goals of the Presidents Climate Commitment and the Cool Cities Initiative. The students, the landlords, Athens residents, Ohio University associates, and ultimately every human being will reap the benefits of the Green House Project.

Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
                         

 Ohio University Office of Sustainability                    

American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

 Cool Cities Initiative

Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development
The Corporation for Ohio Appalachian Development (COAD) is a private, non-profit community-based organization serving rural, mostly Appalachian, counties in eastern and southern Ohio. The Energy Services Section offers energy efficiency and weatherization services that help customers lower their energy use and fuel bills. These services provide for the direct installation of energy conservation measures into homes. COAD will be working with the Office of Sustainability and landlords to provide these services to student rental units.

Ohio University Office of Sustainability
The Department of Facilities Management at Ohio University is committed to improving the efficiency of our facilities, greening our practices and processes, and strengthening our campus-wide culture of environmental mindfulness. The Office of Sustainability places great importance on involving students, staff, faculty, and the local community in our efforts to reduce our consumption of resources and minimize our ecological footprint.

The Presidents Climate Commitment
Global warming has climbed to the top of the public agenda, thanks in part to recent reports emphasizing the scientific consensus that climate change is happening and is a product of human environmental interference.The American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment (PCC) is an effort by higher education institutions across the country to neutralize green house gas emissions. To neutralize green house gas emissions the university needs to not only lower the greenhouse gasses we produce, but also lower gas emissions elsewhere to compensate for what we continue to produce. The Green House Project is an initiative that helps offset greenhouse gas emissions. Ohio University President Roderick McDavis was the first four-year university president in Ohio to sign the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment in March of 2007.

Cool Cities Initiative
Cool Cities are cities that have made a commitment to stopping global warming by signing the U.S. Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement. Started in 2005, the Cool Cities campaign empowers city residents and local leaders to join and encourage their cities to implement smart energy solutions to save money and build a cleaner, safer future. The Green House Project is also in the spirit of the Cool Cities Initiative, a plan to reduce Athens's Green House Gas emissions 7% by 2012, and 80% by 2050.