Maryland’s public universities have become the second in the nation to combat global warming systemwide, pledging to reduce energy consumption, cut greenhouse gas emissions, research alternative energy, build sustainable buildings and push for greener public policy.

The University System of Maryland also has created a new position, the vice chancellor of environmental sustainability, who will help coordinate efforts among the 11 degree-granting campuses and two research institutions.

“Everybody’s coming to recognize that environmental sustainability is a very serious and major issue,” said William Kirwan, system chancellor.

“Just 10 or 15 years ago, there was a relatively small number of passionate advocates. Now it’s on the minds of elected officials, corporate leaders and education officials.”

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With 120,000 students, Maryland’s public universities are well-poised to teach younger generations about how to reduce energy consumption, while researchers can develop alternative energy sources and work to restore the health of the Chesapeake Bay, Kirwan said.

As one of the state’s major employers and the owner of hundreds of buildings statewide, the system also can set an example for private companies and the rest of the public sector, said Donald Boesch, president of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.

Kirwan picked Boesch to serve as vice chancellor of environmental sustainability. Boesch will work in the new capacity in addition to his presidency and will receive no additional compensation.

After holding demonstrations about global warming last semester, students from the Maryland Student Climate Coalition on Friday told the Board of Regents, which governs the system, that they would like to be a part of Kirwan’s plan to fight global warming.

At a glance

University System of Maryland pledges to:

» Reduce energy consumption by 15 percent and greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020.

» Conduct audits of greenhouse gas emissions for all USM institutions.

» Develop green building guidelines.

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com