Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition

~ Mission Statement ~

November 2006

Sustainability - the practice ofmeeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of futuregenerations to meet their own needs (United Nations, 1992).

e,the students of Michigan, will act to improve the future of our communities,our state, our nation, and our planet by campaigning for the just, balanceddistribution and use of social, political, economic, and environmentalresources.

As a coalition of individuals and organizationsfrom colleges and universities across the state, we will work together to:

• Informour peers and fellow citizens about the consequences of climate change andother environmental problems by improving and expanding environmental educationat colleges, universities, and other learning institutions.

• Implementlasting, sustainable institutional practices – including improved energyefficiency and expanded renewable energy use – by maintaining active studentinvolvement in college- and university-level sustainability efforts.

• Makethe communities we live in more sustainable by informing and empowering allcommunity members.

•Positively influence other Michiganders’ actions and opinions in environmentalmatters by establishing working examples of sustainable institutions andcommunities.

• Givesustainable practices the force of law by lobbying for and helping create soundlegislation at the local, state, and national levels.

In all of these endeavors, we will advance thegoals of ecological integrity, economic vitality, and social equity.

We encourage committed Michigan-basedindividuals and student organizations of all types, purposes, orientations, andschool affiliations to join the Michigan Student Sustainability Coalition.

~ Our state. Ourplanet. Our future. ~