Coal provides about half of our electricity and causes more than 30% of our global warming pollution. From the mine to the plant to the ash pond, coal is our dirtiest energy source. It causes asthma and other health problems, destroys our mountains, and releases toxic mercury into our communities. Continuing our dependence on coal chains us to dirty energy and prevents us from making the changes we need to bring about a clean, secure energy future.

When the Sierra Club needed grassroots organizers to tackle this issue, they came to Green Corps.

In the fall of 2009, Green Corps organizers helped the Sierra Club launch their Campuses Beyond Coal Campaign – with the goal of moving the nation’s universities beyond coal to 100% clean energy solutions. The campaign aims to shut down or replace campus-based coal plants and end the schools’ dependence on the coal-generated electricity they purchase. Green Corps organizers worked on 18 college campuses to engage students, faculty, alumni and key allies to persuade college administrators to set timetables for phasing out coal on campuses in favor of cleaner energy alternatives.

In six months, the team of organizers recruited and trained more than 1,700 student activists. Combined, the Green Corps trainees generated more than 300 media hits, including coverage by the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Thanks to the Green Corps trainees, some target campuses are already well on their way to a clean energy future. On November 30, SUNY Binghamton pledged to completely phase out its use of coal by 2020. President DeFleur credited student rallies for raising the issue. And at UNC Chapel Hill, Green Corps organizer Laura Stevens and her volunteers convinced Chancellor Thorp to create a Clean Energy Task Force and commit to phasing out coal by 2020.

In response to student pressure, Michigan State University, home of the largest campus coal plant in the nation, has agreed to form a steering committee of faculty, administrators, and student representatives to map out MSU's energy future. Miami University President David Hodge has also made a public commitment to end campus coal dependence by 2025, making Miami University the 16th college in the nation to move beyond coal. 

Green Corps organizers have mobilized more than 10,000 students to take action on the campaign and trained 132 student leaders - who are in turn recruiting, training, and managing other volunteers.