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28 SUMMER 2012 | ST. LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
LAURENTIAN PORTRAIT
MERGING
CAPITALISM AND
ENVIRONMENTALISM
As a financial trader, Ryan Ballantyne ’93
never imagined combining the words
“capitalism” and “environmentalism” in
the same breath. However, he did just
that recently when he brokered a transac-
tion on behalf of St. Lawrence to help
the University reach its goal of zero net
greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
“Capitalism and environmentalism can
exist symbiotically,” the California native
says. “In fact, I would argue that today’s
business leaders and corporations are in
the best position to foster environmental
awareness and responsibility because they
have the resources and capital to lead.”
Big business does not need to be the
enemy in every situation, he adds.
Ballantyne studied economics at
St. Lawrence and then worked on Wall
Street, frequently dealing with capital
and environmental markets in tandem.
Now in the cash and derivatives sales
area at Miller Tabak & Co. in San Diego,
he deals mainly with environmental
markets.
“One of my responsibilities is to
help clients manage their energy and
environmental exposure,” he says. “We
find offset opportunities, such as forest
management organizations, and projects,
such as methane capture and sea grass
restoration, that universities such as SLU
can support and help sustain by provid-
ing capital through their purchase
of an REC,” or Renewable Energy
Certificate, as a step toward offset-
ting their carbon footprint.
Ballantyne worked with Louise
Gava ’07, St. Lawrence’s coordi-
nator of sustainability projects,
to help the University purchase
15 percent of the current fiscal
year’s electricity in the form of
RECs. “ is purchase ensures that
St. Lawrence continues to work
toward our climate commitment
and sustainability goals,” Gava
says, adding that “ e University’s
purchase of RECs offers a chance
for students to ask questions and
discuss what clean energy looks
like.”
Since St. Lawrence became a
member of the American Col-
lege & University Presidents Climate
Commitment in 2007, the University
has been making great efforts to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions. Ballantyne
cites this as evidence that St. Lawrence
is a good model of “corporate social
responsibility” as “an early adopter of
environmental awareness.”
However, even with the best practices
available, there are many hurdles to cross
to achieve and maintain a completely
neutral carbon footprint. “Driving the
hockey team to Princeton, N.J., and
students flying overseas for study abroad
contribute to greenhouse gas emissions,”
Ballantyne points out.
“When I was a student, recycling was
the only sustainable practice on campus
that I can remember,” Ballantyne says.
“Today, students not only focus on
recycling, but also on sustainable living
and minimizing our impact on the world
we will leave to our grandchildren. I was
delighted to read about the sustainability
efforts going on at SLU, and am proud
to be working with my alma mater on
zero-net greenhouse gas emissions.”
RYAN BALLANTYNE ’93
photo provided
by Lettie Stratton ’12
Lettie Stratton, an English major,
musician and Living Inspirationally
Growing Healthy Together (“LIGHT”)
House theme cottage resident, was a
writing intern in University
communications in spring 2012.
“I am proud to be working with my alma mater on zero-net
greenhouse gas emissions,” says Ballantyne.