On December 16, 2019, the College of Engineering Faculty passed a climate and sustainability resolution. The resolution follows similar votes by the University of Iowa Faculty Council, the Alliance of Big 10 Alliance of Student Governments, and other shared governance organizations on campus.  The full resolution can be found below:

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF RENEWING CLIMATE, ENERGY AND SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIP AT THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA

WHEREAS, numerous recent reports, including peer-reviewed scholarship, government reports, and intergovernmental reports, have (1) synthesized recent research on existing and impending climate change impacts, including but not limited to major impacts on hydrological systems, extreme weather events, sea level rise, agricultural and fisheries, ecosystem disruption, economic well-being and quality of life, refugee migration, and mass extinction of animals and plants; (2) highlighted the increasing risks from multiple climate impacts occurring simultaneously; (3) explained the growing understanding of possible nonlinear “tipping points” of sudden irreversible climate system change; (4) stressed the need for rapid mitigation and adaptation; and (5) revised downward the target for avoidance of dangerous interference with the climate system from 2°C to 1.5°C;[i]^{,[ii],[iii],[iv],[v],[vi],[vii],[viii],[ix],[x],[xi],[xii],[xiii]}

WHEREAS, numerous representative bodies relevant to the University of Iowa, and to the College of Engineering, have passed resolutions in 2019 calling for aggressive campus action and leadership by the University of Iowa:

• The Alliance of Big Ten Student Governments unanimously declared a Climate Emergency, based on a resolution initiated by the University of Iowa Student Government (July 2019);^[xiv]
• The City of Iowa City passed a Resolution declaring a climate crisis and requesting immediate and accelerated action to address the climate crisis (August 2019);[xv]
• The University of Iowa Student Government and the Graduate and Professional Student Government passed a joint resolution “In Support of Implementing a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Effort” (November 2019);[xvi]
• The University of Iowa Faculty Council passed a resolution “Expressing the Faculty Senate and Staff Council’s Commitment to Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship at the University of Iowa” (November 2019);[xvii]

WHEREAS, on April 22, 2016, world leaders from 175 countries recognized the threat of climate change and the urgent need to combat it by signing the Paris Agreement, agreeing to keep warming “well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels” and to “pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C;” [xviii]

WHEREAS, higher education and the disciplines of engineering have a duty and an opportunity to confront these through education, evidence-based research, technological advancement, and innovation; 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the faculty of the University of Iowa College of Engineering affirm the urgent need to take meaningful and responsible action to address the issue of our changing climate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the faculty of the University of Iowa College support the students of the University of Iowa in their efforts to maintain and reinvigorate the University’s position as a leader in operational, educational, and research aspects of energy and climate change.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the faculty of the University of Iowa College of Engineering commit to partnering with the Engineering Dean’s office, central administrative officials, shared governance leaders, and campus-based sustainability experts on an immediate and ongoing basis to develop and implement viable methods to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the causes and effects of changes to the climate system.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Engineering Faculty Council shall send a copy of this resolution to relevant stakeholders at the University of Iowa including the Office of the Provost, the Office of the President, the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, and the other Colleges and Academic Units of the University of Iowa.