MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY JOINS CHICAGO CLIMATE EXCHANGE

As part of its steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Michigan State University (MSU) has joined the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), North America's only emission registry. Imbalances - such as too much carbon gas released into the air - result in global warming. Members of the CCX seek to reduce

direct emissions by conserving energy and to provide opportunities to offset emissions such as no-till farming, tree farming or other carbon credits. MSU will work to achieve the prescribed six percent reduction goal. "We have 10,000 graduates each year," explains Fred Poston, vice president of operations at MSU. "We want to send them off equipped to be environmentally responsible. MSU's strength is that the integration of students speeds the translation to behavioral change." Membership in CCX will also position the state's bioeconomy base, helping to move farming toward solutions in renewable fuels and environmentally sound practices (like composting). MSU will be the fifth university to join CCX - along with Tufts, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota and University of Oklahoma.