Since the U.N.A deemed 2012 to be the year of “International Year of Sustainable Energy for All,” Joseph Hess, president of the Greater Lansing Chapter of the U.N.A., said the chapter teamed with the university because of its efforts in sustainable energy.

As a part of MSU’s Energy Transition Plan adopted by the Board of Trustees last April, the university hopes to someday run on 100 percent renewable energy. The plan includes endeavors to improve the campus environment and invest in renewable and sustainable energy programs, according to the plan documents.

The conference, which began last Sunday and lasted until Tuesday, hosted speakers from around the world, including Costa Rica, Sweden and Canada, that came to MSU’s campus to speak about the need for the transition to sustainable energy.

Hess said this is a way to start working toward the U.N.’s goal of sustainable energy worldwide by 2030.

“The people of the world should have access to energy sources that do not damage the environment,” Hess said. “Governments, companies, NGOs (and) universities … around the world should start working together.”

Hess stressed that to keep the planet healthy and inhabitable, individuals need to start taking care of it by using sustainable forms of electricity to power homes and generate transportation. The objective is to slow the environmental damage that already has been done and work toward stabilizing the planet, he said.

“MSU is very involved, and we (are determined) to look (fully) into energy security and water security, and it is just an important part of our life,” said Ajit Srivastava, chairperson of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering.

Srivastava and Hess agreed renewable energy has a positive impact on the world economy — something environmental economics and policy junior Molly Black is interested in when it affects her job search after college.

Black said she attended a couple days of the conference because she is concerned about the impacts of environmental sustainability, both locally and internationally.

“It’s like the Industrial Revolution all over again,” Black said. “It’s going to be really great economically, and it will (provide) a lot of opportunity for students to get involved in that kind of thing.”