The University of Iowa Student Government was excited to welcome internationally renowned climate activist Greta Thunberg to Iowa City. Greta has reminded political leaders of their moral responsibility to fight climate change. University of Iowa students acknowledge that we have the same moral responsibility and recognize that we have the chance to “do our part.”

We agree with President Harreld that, “[Climate Action] is the most important issue facing the next generation. The science is clear. Now is the time to act ... while we still can.” The University of Iowa Student Government (UISG) has affirmed our institutional responsibility to fight climate change by unanimously passing a resolution with the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) titled “Joint Resolution on the Climate Change Call to Action”. Student government will continue to push our institution to be a national leader on sustainability
and advancing climate science.

This resolution recognizes the impacts of climate change and calls on the university to reduce institutional carbon dioxide emissions 45% by 2030, achieve ‘net-zero’ emissions by 2050, create and publicize new 2030 climate goals by May 8th, 2020, and add a sustainability or ‘systems-thinking’ general education core component, alongside many other actions that uphold the University of Iowa’s institutional responsibility to combat climate change and to keep us on the cutting-edge of sustainability education.

Dexter Golinghorst, GPSG President

Noel Mills, UISG Student Body President