Today Ambassador Kirk celebrated Earth Week with a visit to American University (AU) to tour the university’s solar panel installations and host a discussion with students. AU is a leading university in sustainability initiatives. It is currently undergoing an ambitious project to install 2,300 solar photovoltaic and thermal energy panels across six buildings on campus. Students, faculty, staff, and representatives from local businesses joined Ambassador Kirk on the roof of AU’s School of International Service to tour the innovative solar technologies.
Ambassador Kirk Tours AU's Rooftop Solar Technology Project
AU Director of Sustainability Chris O’Brien shared how sustainability is an important part of the campus community’s values. The community is instilled with the responsibility to protect the Earth and welcomes innovative solutions that often serve multiple functions to create both environmental and economic benefits. For example, students, faculty, and staff are currently working together on a project to build a green roof with plants that collect rainwater to prevent structural damage to the building and reduce wastewater runoff.
Ambassador Kirk Tours AU's Rooftop Solar Technology Project
After the tour, Ambassador Kirk hosted a discussion with students about how education and innovation are critical to the development of clean energy technology and the growth of the American economy. He encouraged the students to become the future entrepreneurs and leaders of the 21st century clean energy economy.
Ambassador Kirk Hosts Roundtable with AU Students
