(President J. Michael Adams delivered the main address at Fairleigh Dickinson University’s annual Green Day celebration on April 14, 2008.)

Have you ever read about Buckminster Fuller? Bucky — as he liked to be called — was a 20th century Renaissance man. He was a philosopher, a poet, an inventor, an architect and a prolific author. Among his many creations were the geodesic dome, the dymaxion car and a new world map. One of his most popular books was called Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth, which was written in 1963, when Bucky was 68 years old. With a bit of humor, he suggested that our planet was actually a spaceship, but that we had lost the instruction manual. And so we were inadvertently destroying our planet and our future.

Bucky was a good friend of mine and an important role model. He spent most of his life wondering about humanity’s future. At times, he was less optimistic than others, but he always saw hope in the next generation. I remember in 1975, at a dinner in my home, he held my two-year-old son Benjamin in his lap and seemed to come alive. He said, “I very much like contact with young life. It gives me confidence in the future of the species.”

You should know that Bucky was an early environmentalist and one of the first people to advocate for the recycling of source materials. He once joked that we should rename our planet “Poluto,” because of the serious problem of pollution. But he said he wasn’t just referring to the pollution of our air and water — as serious as that was — he was also talking about the pollution of information that we receive; the polluted messages that divide us, that confuse us and that impair the proper handling and maintenance of Spaceship Earth.

We need to always remember, he said, that what unites us is much stronger than the artificial barriers we have constructed. All humans share residence on a planet traveling 60,000 miles an hour. More than the concept of individual and national identities, what distinguishes us is the fact that “we are all astronauts.”

He believed, “We are not going to be able to operate our Spaceship Earth successfully nor for much longer unless we see it as a whole spaceship and our fate as common. It has to be everybody or nobody.”

At Fairleigh Dickinson University, our mission is to prepare world citizens. Perhaps I should better say our mission is to prepare skilled astronauts? Because in a way Bucky is right. We are all astronauts and we all have the responsibility to take care of our spaceship.

Going Green at FDU

Well, after seeing some of today’s activities and the presentations, and after learning more about the many green efforts here, I can honestly say NASA has nothing on the caliber of our astronauts. You understand the importance of fighting the pollution that plagues our planet and that imperils our lives. You also understand that the antidote lies in clean ideas, green innovations and valid information. And, must importantly, you recognize the ultimate answer lies in action; action to propel our ideas forward and to enact effective measures that sustain our spaceship.

The commitment, devotion and enthusiasm of the students and our staff has been extraordinary. The range of ideas, projects and creations has been sensational. I applaud all those who have contributed to this fantastic event, and I urge you to continue to think globally and act locally.

Today’s event is an exciting illustration of our commitment to this global cause. But evidence of that commitment can be found everywhere on our campuses.

A short time ago, we were beginning to sketch plans for a brand new library. Actually, though, we knew it could be much more than a library. It would be a state-of-the-art learning center that would utilize the latest technology and provide unique study spaces and learning environments. And after consulting with members of the community, it became clear that we had a great opportunity to design something that could have not just a great impact on our students, but a minimal impact on the environment; a building that could illustrate our commitment to sustainable development. Perhaps it could also educate people about the benefits of a green building and inspire other measures to promote sustainable development.

I am very pleased to say this vision is coming to life. Plans for the new Monninger Center for Learning and Research have incorporated many environmentally friendly measures. For example, the structure will heavily utilize the benefits of natural light. In order to reduce the project’s footprint, a large portion of the existing library will be renovated. The University will retain the Orangerie, the greenhouse of the former Vanderbilt-Twombly estate. And, of course, recycled materials will be featured prominently in the new center.

While plans were being developed for the Monninger Center, other developments on campus were reinforcing this commitment to our environment. For example, the Institute for Sustainable Enterprise was created in the Silberman College of Business to bring people together to learn how to create enterprises that are at the same time green, socially responsible and economically successful.

As many of you know, the Institute conducts research, holds seminars and offers training on sustainability for business and non-profits. It already has been recognized for its innovative educational initiatives and its leadership in this field. For example, the Institute was a key contributor to a worldwide study on creating a sustainable future, sponsored by the American Management Association. The Institute has also integrated sustainability topics into FDU courses and designed an FDU certificate program on managing sustainability. In addition, it has worked closely with other campus groups to support sustainability initiatives at the University and to assist and sponsor events like today’s program.

This year, the Institute launched the first green business incubator in the state to provide support services for companies and organizations developing green technologies and sustainable business practices. Green business is not just a trend or promotional gimmick, it’s a financially efficient way to operate and, most importantly, it’s the right thing to do. The incubator’s first client is a firm exploring new technology that has the potential to turn energy from flowing water into power for businesses and homes.

At FDU, we’ve also seen the formation of a student Green Club, which has helped organize our participation in the national Recyclemania contest and our Move-Out Week program, which re-uses materials and reduces the waste generated when the residence halls are vacated. The Green Club, of course, also played a significant role in sponsoring our Green Day celebration, now in its second year.

More exciting than any single event or program, though, I would say there is an increased level of awareness and determination among our community members to be part of the solution.

The workshops today have been informative and interesting. The student projects have been clever, imaginative and very impressive. They showcase not just the talent of our students but their degree of passion and interest. We believe that commitment and interest will grow even stronger. And we pledge to support that commitment and hopefully inspire and nurture even greater actions that reflect our values.

Be the Change You Wish to See in the World

When I was younger, I used to think that it’s almost impossible to change the world. After all, I thought, how many people do we read about that really changed the world? Sure, there’s some. People like Churchill, Gandhi, Mandela, Kennedy, King. Who’s on your great people list? But I can’t be one of those people, I thought, so why bother?

But I learned that history, while influenced by strong leaders, is actually determined by the momentum of many people working together. History has shown that great changes are accomplished through small measures taken by countless passionate individuals.

The reality is that if you can touch it, you can make it better. And the purpose of a good education is to enable you to extend your reach, to broaden your impact. As educated and talented citizens, you have the opportunity and the responsibility to reach further and to make contributions that people will remember.

Maybe not all actions will save the world, but all actions matter. As Gandhi said, “You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”

It wasn’t too long ago that no one knew what the Earth looked like from outer space. Now, of course, we have spectacular photographs taken of this majestic blue and green sphere. And it seems like we’ve seen the image so many times that maybe we take it for granted. But it’s interesting sometimes to go back and see what some of those who first ventured in space thought when they saw this incredible planet spinning beneath them. Many of them said the first thing they noticed was what wasn’t there — there were no lines representing countries or borders.

Marc Garneau, the first Canadian to journey into space, once wrote, “I was almost expecting to see these boundary lines, and they are not there. They’re not there when you go through all of South America and through all of the Asian continent, and after a while you realize it’s a very artificial thing to put boundaries between us.”

Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins said the view from outer space could change our attitude and views of the world. He said, “That all-important border would be invisible … The tiny globe would continue to turn, serenely ignoring its subdivisions, presenting a united façade that would cry out for unified treatment.”

The Earth does indeed cry out for unified treatment. We all know the list of environmental problems and challenges. They don’t recognize borders. They don’t need passports to cross those artificial lines. Those problems can only be addressed if we think globally. They can only be solved if we act together as world citizens.

Bucky Fuller urged us to not just worry about earning a living but to focus on what needs to be done. That attitude has driven the wonderful program you have participated in today.

Our ultimate future, Fuller said, depends on whether humans fulfill their responsibilities to each other and to Spaceship Earth. He wrote, “Whether humanity is to continue and . . . prosper on Spaceship Earth depends entirely on the integrity of human individuals…”

My dear friends, your participation, your contributions to this celebration today, to this university, this movement and our world would make Bucky smile. And it would give him great hope for the future and confidence for multiple generations into the future. Thank you.