Sierra Club Names Knox College One of "America's 100 Greenest Schools"

The Sierra Club is recognizing Knox College as one of "America's 100 Greenest Schools." The "Cool Schools" list, released this month in Sierra magazine, recognizes colleges for environmental practices, energy saving initiatives, and sustainability-oriented academics.

Knox is ranked at 100 out of 162 that responded to the Sierra Club's survey, which was mailed to 900 colleges and universities. According to the Sierra Club, "there are more than 2,000 four-year colleges in the United States, meaning that the schools in the 'Coolest Schools' index are in the top 10 percent when it comes to the environment."

"The credit for this ranking goes to Knox students and faculty who took the initiative to study, discuss and recommend practices that have saved money and made Knox more sustainable," said Knox College President Roger Taylor.

Among the survey areas where Knox received top scores were for energy efficiency and administration. Both areas received a score of 9 out of a possible 10 points.

According to energy efficiency data provided for the survey, Knox has reduced its carbon emissions by 22% in the past ten years, and doubled the amount of material recycled in the past four years.

The administration category recognizes Knox's cross-campus commitment to sustainability, including the President's Task Force on Sustainability and having signed the Talloires Declaration, an institutional sustainability pledge that has been adopted by colleges and universities worldwide.

Founded in 1837, Knox is a national liberal arts college in Galesburg, Illinois, with students from 45 states and 48 countries. Knox's "Old Main" is a National Historic Landmark and the only building remaining from the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates.