After George W. Bush refused to ratify this treaty on March 28, the Kyoto Now campaign gained steam on campus, with supporters arguing that without federal adoption of the Kyoto standards, communities would have to take it upon themselves to set environmentally responsible goals. The Cornell Greens, a non-partisan activist group that has spearheaded the Kyoto Now movement on campus, hopes that Cornell University will become an example for other colleges and universities across the nation. With its recent decision, Cornell joined a short but growing list of institutions that have accepted their responsibility despite the Bush administration’s abandonment of the Kyoto Protocol. Bush claimed that in determining the United States’ environmental policies, we should give priority to our economic demands, in what he calls the "America First" policy. An apt name, given that America is the number one polluter in the world, emitting 25% of the world’s carbon dioxide despite only having 4% of the world’s population.

The sit-in and protests started Wednesday, April 11, after Harold Craft, Vice President of Administration and Chief Financial Officer, released a statement saying that while he personally supported the goals of the Kyoto Now movement, there was no way that Cornell could commit to them at this time. Craft pointed out that Cornell has already taken several important steps towards reducing its energy expenditures, such as the implementation of Lake Source Cooling, the use of natural gas vehicles, and the switch to more efficient light bulbs. He said that for Cornell to commit to the Kyoto standards, a better understanding of the details was needed so that administrators would know where changes would have to be made, and exactly what it would cost. He also said that such a commitment would require the support of a coalition of faculty, deans, students, and other sectors of the Cornell community. After this statement was read by Frankie Lind of the Greens, dozens of supporters followed Lind to Day Hall, where six students and an alumnus began their sit-in. These seven activists pledged to remain in Day Hall until the commitment was made.

The kickoff rally was the first of several held in front of Day Hall in the ensuing week. Finally, on Monday, April 16, administrators met with six members of the Cornell Greens to work on an agreement. Some progress was made in the negotiations, but the day ended without a deal—the two sides still differed on important details. Meanwhile, over 100 supporters of the Kyoto Now movement gathered outside the building for the "Kyotopalooza" rally. Demonstrators chanted their support and listened to poetry readings as well as performances by the Key Elements and other local musicians. Petitions continued to circulate, generating well over three thousand signatures in support of the Kyoto Now movement, which qualifies it as one of the most successful petition drives on campus in recent memory. Negotiations resumed the following day, culminating in the historic agreement.

According to Hank Dullea, Vice President of University Relations, the two sides never differed on the objective, but only on the specifics of what a commitment would entail. In addition to establishing the goal of a 7% reduction below 1990 levels by 2008, the settlement called for the creation of a committee to oversee progress, comprising faculty, staff, and students, including members of campus governance committees and student groups. The Greens declared this decision a great victory for the environment, but added that the next step is to make sure that these goals are indeed met, something that the University has admitted will be very difficult. Activist David Unger summed up the decision on these words, quoted in the Daily Sun: "This is a great victory, but it is only the first. Now it’s up to the University, the Greens, and the community to ensure that this commitment results in a real change."
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