POTSDAM -- Clarkson University has joined more than 170 colleges and universities to urge President-elect Donald Trump and incoming congressional representatives to accelerate progress toward a clean energy future.

Clarkson President Tony Collins recently signed an open letter, organized by a diverse group of higher education institutions and the Boston-based nonprofit Second Nature, in which higher education leaders have called upon elected officials to support participation in the Paris Agreement, climate research and investment in the low carbon economy.

"The upcoming transition of federal leadership presents a unique opportunity to address head-on the challenges of climate change by accelerating the new energy economy and creating strong, resilient communities," the group wrote. "We are committed to developing and deploying innovative climate solutions that provide a prosperous future for all Americans."

The group of schools expressed their alignment with the business and investment communities in supporting the science-based targets outlined in the Paris Climate Agreement. Clarkson has been taking climate action for years, including voluntarily setting carbon neutrality goals and publicly reporting progress through a program called the Climate Leadership Commitments.

"Clarkson is committed to being a green campus, not only in the classroom, but in all that we do -- including our facilities, our operations, and the research performed by students, faculty and staff," said Collins.

Clarkson received a gold rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (AASHE STARS) program in 2016 for its socially responsible investment in sustainability education and research.

The University also was named a "leader" in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Campus Challenge in 2016. This honor recognizes Clarkson's dedication to advancing clean energy on campus, in the classroom and in the community.

A full list of the schools supporting the open letter can be found at secondnature.org/higher-education-climate-action-letter.