More than 3,000 people have joined a campaign on Change.org calling on the University of Michigan to commit to using solar energy in its football stadium.

The campaign, created by the Ann Arbor-based Ecology Center, follows a growing NFL trend of renewable energy-powered national sports stadiums, including the homes of the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Washington Redskins.

Activists hope the petition on Change.org will lead the University of Michigan, home to the Big 10 Wolverines and the largest-capacity stadium in North America, to become the first big-name college football school to join in.

"The UM stadium has the potential to be the largest athletic venue in North America with solar panels, which is fitting with the University's claim to be 'the leaders and the best'," said Monica Patel, policy specialist at the Ecology Center.

"Even though the electricity generated won't solve the climate crisis, it will go a long way in terms of solar energy education - just think of the awareness raised among the 100,000+ fans there on Game Day, and millions of others who tune in. The move would also give real support to Michigan's growing solar energy industry."

The petition, addressed to University President Mary Sue Coleman, Athletic Director David Brandon, and Director of Campus Sustainability Initiatives Terry Alexander, is being circulated online. Supporters also plan to seek signatures at Michigan football games this fall.

"What these activists have accomplished is really impressive," said Jess Leber, a senior organizer for Change.org, the world's fastest-growing platform for social change.

"In just a few weeks, the Ecology Center has inspired thousands of University of Michigan community members to make their voices heard on solar energy. Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action on the issues that matter to them, and it has been incredible to watch the Ecology Center's campaign take off."

In 2009, University of Michigan students completed a feasibility assessment of a stadium solar project, estimating that an installation could divert 776 tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The Ecology Center's campaign is asking University officials to take move beyond feasibility assessments by engaging with Michigan's solar manufacturers and developing a project to offset some of the stadium's electricity use and feed it back into the grid during times when the stadium isn't used.

Related Links
Ecology Center
All About Solar Energy at SolarDaily.com

Tweet