Higher Education Has a New Calling
In the years after Sputnik and Kennedy’s “man on the moon” challenge, there was a noticeable spike in science and math funding throughout the nation.  Elementary, secondary, college, and graduate students across the country took a keener interest in space exploration.  This push helped the United States solidify its lead in technology and innovation.  Missions to Mars have continued to fuel some of the interest, but in the face of climate change and deteriorating ecosystems, perhaps our new focus should be on green technologies.

Green Education and Al Gore’s Challenge to Repower America
Al Gore recently threw down the gauntlet, challenging Americans to derive all of their energy from zero-emission sources by 2018.  A bold 10-year plan in the same vein as Kennedy’s space race challenge, Al Gore’s idea hasn’t generated as much attention as he might like.  And sadly, neither Obama nor McCain has picked up the standard and made 100% green energy a central focus of his campaign.  But perhaps time and necessity will change all of that.  Kennedy issued his challenge in an effort to check Russia’s growing dominion over space.  Perhaps worsening climate conditions will prompt our nation to pay more attention to Al Gore’s cause.  But why wait?

Green Energy and Higher Education
Already, some colleges are taking the lead.  Yale recently announced that it had reduced its carbon footprint by 17% over the last 3 years.  And online education’s growing popularity shows tremendous promise as more and more students replace carbon-producing commutes with greener distance learning.  Online programs consume 90% less energy than their campus-based counterparts.  But even these initiatives aren’t enough.  What we need is greater focus on green degrees, careers, and funding.

There exists a growing list of green disciplines that show tremendous promise.  From environmental engineering to bio-fuel technology, you have countless options from which to choose, especially in science-related disciplines.  But you don’t even have to be a science fanatic to jump on board.  Once the technology is there, we’ll need business people to market it, educators to teach it, journalists to document it, politicians to legislate it, and lawyers to defend it.  With the right planning and approach, you might be able to retrofit your college degree for any number of green jobs. As you take courses throughout your college or graduate career, try keeping Al Gore’s challenge in mind.  As an early adapter after graduation, you stand a much better chance of becoming a leader in your field.