Fresno State has become one of over 350 universities in 40 countries to pledge a commitment to global sustainability.

During the grand opening ceremony of the solar parking lot, Lot V, on Nov. 9, President John D. Welty signed the Talloires Declaration — a 10-point plan calling for the incorporation of programs, research and teachings of environmental issues and practices within the higher education system.

“Fresno State is delighted to be a leader in advancing sustainability initiatives and in the conservation of scarce natural resources,â€Â Welty said during the Nov. 8 ceremony.

Twenty-two university presidents and chancellors assembled in Talloires, France in 1990 hoping to increase environmental literacy among communities. Participants felt that because universities were responsible for educating most of the people who manage society̢۪s institutions, it was important to increase the awareness and teachings among faculty and students regarding the critical issues plaguing the environment.

Robert Boyd, associate vice president of administrative services at Fresno State and administrator for the department of facilities management, said that by signing the declaration, the university is showing that it is “being more aggressiveâ€Â in implementing methods of conservation.

“It’s made a real statement to the community around that we’re serious,â€Â Boyd said.

Josh McDonald, chief of staff for Associated Students Inc., said current efforts to decrease waste and pollution and increase sustainability include the addition of recycling bins around campus, the Red Bike program that began six years ago and the Master Plan, which encourages the use of available land and energy conservation.

Such programs follow some of the actions set forth in the Talloires Declaration, such as to “increase awareness of environmentally sustainable developmentâ€Â and “practice institutional ecology.â€Â Both actions call for raising an understanding among the public and the university and establishing “policies and practices of resource conservations, recycling, waste reduction and environmentally sound operations,â€Â according to the declaration.

McDonald said a large part of these efforts involves student participation.

“I think there are a lot of things that university students can do that they aren’t doing,â€Â he said. “Too many students on campus are not thinking about their actions.â€Â

For example, McDonald said the trash cans are usually filled with recyclable products. Instead of holding on to recyclable items, students are tempted to throw them away in more readily available trash cans.

The campus has about 50 sets of recycling bins, most of which are placed next to regular trash cans, he said.

One ongoing project is the new Henry Madden Library, the “first real flagshipâ€Â of the campus’ efforts, Boyd said.

The university sought out furnishings and carpet for the library that were environmentally friendly and looked for options “even down to the using of hand dryers instead of towels,â€Â Boyd said. The choices were made with the idea in mind of sustaining both the environment and life of the building.

Also, through “commissioningâ€Â — when outside agents are brought in to inspect electrical and mechanical work to ensure it is up to code — the university was able to enhance the campus’ efforts of saving energy, Boyd said.

As discussions continue and future plans of new buildings and enhanced landscaping — a goal stated in the Master Plan — Fresno State will be moving forward.

“Those various points [in the declaration] are for us to work towards,â€Â Boyd said. “In the next coming years, we’ll be a much more sustainable campus.â€Â