In addition to hosting a Climate Leadership Network session, Second Nature will be delivering an educational session on the role of communication in advancing climate action. These organizations understand that the task at hand is complex, but they want to highlight the process of climate action and leverage that work. This session will explore best practices and lessons learned from the Climate Leadership Network. Here are some highlights of this session:
second nature climate commitment
The second nature Climate Leadership Network is a unique, nonprofit organization that brings together leading institutions and local communities to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. Its signature program encourages climate action by universities, businesses, and other institutions. Members of the Climate Leadership Network are committed to advancing the goal of carbon neutrality, while remaining responsive to institutions’ requests and concerns. Here are some ways in which Second Nature can help your institution:
In order to make climate action a reality on a large scale, colleges and universities need to step up their efforts. The organization works to make this possible by leveraging its network, communicating its progress, and convening in-person meetings. It has already hosted the Climate Leadership Summit, a two-day event for college and university presidents, as well as cross-sector forums. Its network has grown to include more than 600 universities and colleges across the country.
The climate action plan can be a stand-alone document, an add-on to an existing sustainability plan, or an entirely new one. The online guide to Second Nature’s Climate Action Plan includes examples of how institutions have successfully implemented climate action plans, helpful templates for a climate action plan, guidance on reporting and interim milestones, and examples of tangible actions. To help your institution take the next step toward creating a sustainable future, Second Nature is proud to partner with universities to advance education-based climate action plans.
American college & university presidents' climate
In 2007, the University of Rhode Island joined the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, now known as the Climate Leadership Network. This network brings together colleges and universities committed to reaching climate neutrality, incorporating sustainability into campus culture, and pursuing research and education that is relevant to a global, sustainable future. The University of Rhode Island has made a commitment to monitor GHG emissions, conduct yearly inventories, and publish periodic progress reports.
The second Nature Climate Leadership Network is a membership program that connects and supports universities and colleges throughout the United States and District of Columbia, which have signed formal climate leadership commitments. The commitments can focus on carbon emissions, climate adaptation, building community resilience, or a combination of these three priorities. As a member of the network, a college or university can earn points towards the prestigious Presidents’ Climate Leadership Honor Roll and become a Second Nature signature campus.
As part of the organization’s mission, university presidents must develop a Climate Action Plan detailing their efforts to become climate neutral by 2050. President Hogan, a member of the group, appointed an eight-member task force that studied climate change, emission sources, and strategies. The task force identified a list of actions the university could take to meet this goal. The Presidents’ Climate Action Commitment has since become the highest-profile effort to fight global climate disruption and create solutions.
University climate change coalition
The University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) was launched by thirteen research universities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico to leverage their research and expertise to accelerate climate action. The coalition will work in partnership with organizations like We Are Still In and America’s Pledge to create climate solutions and support local, regional, and national policy engagement. These organizations work to build a more sustainable future for all people. However, there is much work left to do.
The UC3 coalition seeks to leverage the leadership of university presidents to build institutional consensus and accelerate climate action in their communities. Members of the coalition are responsible for building a network of partners and integrating research, operations, and community engagement. The UC3 strategic plan builds on lessons learned from previous work and reflects the needs of member universities. It also includes an overview of UC3’s organizational structure, governance, and membership.
Climate action plans
The Climate Leadership Network is a group of high-level decision-makers, think-leaders, and advocates committed to driving greater climate change ambition and enabling climate action on the ground. It is composed of ministers, CEOs, mayors, and other civil society leaders. Climate Leadership Network members will share information and strategies for tackling climate change. The Climate Leadership Network’s climate action plans can serve as a starting point for local climate initiatives.
In order to develop a climate action plan, communities usually create a multifaceted strategy to address climate change. Each action plan focuses on specific areas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the main contributor to climate change. In addition, climate plans typically include a declining carbon emission target. Listed below are examples of cities that have developed climate action plans. Let’s take a closer look. We’ll start with North Carolina, which has a particularly vulnerable location to the effects of climate change.
Second Nature, a nonprofit organization, is working to accelerate climate action in higher education. As part of this effort, it has developed a Climate Leadership Network consisting of more than 600 colleges and universities from across the country. Members of the Climate Leadership Network commit to taking climate action and are part of progressive climate action and related education and research. The group meets annually. The Climate Leadership Network is an excellent way to connect climate-minded universities with national leaders.
Higher education climate leadership summit
The Higher education climate leadership summit took place in San Diego on September 11-12, 2019. More than 400 leaders from academia, government, and the private sector attended the event. Participants were passionate about the need for a higher education system that is more resilient to climate change and environmental disasters. The summit was the first of its kind, and attendees are encouraged to attend. This is a unique opportunity for campus recreation directors to come together and engage in solution-based conversations about the challenges they face.
During the summit, speakers addressed the intersections of climate justice, social equity, and racial equity. Guests heard from Drs. Santa Ono, Terri Taylor, and Fatemeh Shafiei, who discussed how these issues intersect in higher education. While many of the speakers were concerned about climate change and the need for more action, they were also optimistic about the conference’s potential to connect diverse voices and strengthen relationships across traditional silos.
Climate action pursuit
The 2022 Climate Action Summit builds on the success of the first summit, and will feature intersectional tracks on racial justice, decarbonization, policy, student leadership, and new knowledge. A highlight of the summit is a panel discussion led by University of Maryland, Baltimore County College President Ryan Kmetz. He’ll discuss UMBC’s Climate Action Plan. You can read more about the summit in the conference program, available at scup.org.
In the spirit of the Commitments structure, Second Nature has convened working groups on relevant topics and products. These groups, comprised of volunteer representatives from signatory institutions, study specific questions and consider the best product outcomes. Their conclusions are then shared with the Climate Leadership Network as a whole. This process has a number of advantages. First, it allows signatory institutions to leverage their resources and expertise through collaboration and exchange. Second Nature also has a global network of climate leaders who are willing to share their expertise.
Second Nature, the organization that manages the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Commitments, works with over 4,000 college and university administrators across the United States. Under the Climate Leadership Network, Second Nature encourages colleges to sign agreements that commit them to reducing their net greenhouse gas emissions in specified campus operations. This network’s focus is on higher education and research, and is designed to empower the sector. There are many benefits to working together on climate change.
Climate action examples
There are several different kinds of climate leadership networks. Some are regional or thematic, while others are international. A regional or thematic network is similar to an international network, except that it has geographic sub-networks that serve as thematic regions within the continent. Members of these networks can share knowledge and resources and showcase their leadership in a specific domain. The sponsor often creates such networks in order to expand its geographic reach and support climate action. In these cases, the sponsor will have to bear a significant financial cost, so it’s important to design rewards for membership that benefit all members. For example, a network in a developing country should share knowledge and best practices with cities that are not as large.
The Climate Leadership Network is designed for institutions of higher education and offers introductory handouts on climate resilience. The Climate Leadership Network also lists the list of 100 Resilient Cities and the U.S. Resilience Map. Climate leadership networks can also be found in collegiate institutions. Several resources are available to help organizations and individuals decide what commitments will be most beneficial to them. This list of climate leadership networks may be particularly useful for those who are interested in establishing a campus-wide climate leadership network.
Second nature reporting
The signature climate leadership program of Second Nature is a two-day event aimed at raising awareness about the role of science in the fight against climate change. The summit will include keynote speeches from Second Nature founder Tim Carter, and the conference will also offer information on climate leadership, sustainability, and advocacy. During the session, Second Nature will provide its audience with a customized presentation on how science can help us achieve our climate goals. The Climate Leadership Network is a coalition of nonprofits committed to advancing environmental, social, and economic justice.
The mission of Second Nature is to strengthen higher education’s capacity to tackle global climate change and other sustainability challenges. It works to make the world’s higher education institutions more sustainable and resilient by training the next generation of climate leaders. The Climate Leadership Commitment, developed by Second Nature, is the world’s longest-standing voluntary carbon reduction program, and Second Nature partners with over 600 universities and 4,000 faculty and staff to implement its strategies and programs.
University of Pittsburgh and St Mary's College of California Join Climate Leadership Network
Two of the universities with the strongest commitments to climate action have just joined the Climate Leadership Network. University of Pittsburgh and St. Mary’s College of California both joined before the recent pandemic hit. In this article, we’ll examine the opportunities and challenges of joining this group of universities. Read on to discover why these institutions are making a difference. This article is also available in Spanish. Earlier versions of this article were published on ClimatePlace.com.
University of Pittsburgh
As part of its sustainability course, Pitt students will take a tour of the Penn State Center Pittsburgh to learn about LEED development and green design. This tour is one of many opportunities for students to learn about sustainability and campus sustainability. The Green Building Certificate program is also offered to students on campus. Students will be able to earn their certification and get paid for their efforts. During their stay at Pitt, students can join a Climate Leadership Network.
The climate action plans of the University of Pittsburgh are part of a university-wide commitment to become carbon neutral by 2037. The university hopes to reach this goal by 2037 – its 250th anniversary. Pitt’s Board of Trustees has approved the signing of the Second Nature Climate Leadership Statement, which includes a carbon commitment. Second Nature is an organization dedicated to promoting climate action in higher education. Pittsburgh has already signed the Carbon Commitment.
The climate action plan outlines the University’s progress in implementing its goals. The plan was developed by the Civil and Environmental Engineering Fall 2020 Professional Development class and the Baumgartner Urban Systems Strategy. Efforts to address climate change will continue at Pitt and will be expanded in the coming years. Further, Pitt is committed to purchasing 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2023. This includes purchasing electricity from a low-impact hydroelectric power plant on the Allegheny River.
Students can get involved in various projects. For example, the Climatographers are looking for interns to support the Climate Web expansion. As part of this program, interns will be required to work five to 20 hours a week for a period of three to six months. Interns will help support the Climate Web’s #PutAPriceOnIt campaign by educating community members about carbon pricing. In addition, interns will help organize peers for climate solutions in Congress. Apply by May 15 for the summer internship program, which will begin in June and run through Fall.
The Climate Leadership Network also offers strategic advisory services to campus partners. With this funding, UC3 can assist six campuses with projects that help reduce CO2 emissions and costs. The University of Pittsburgh Climate Leadership Network is a part of a larger project to accelerate higher education’s climate leadership. There are many benefits of collaboration and partnership. This is the foundation for sustainable development. This initiative has many positive effects on the Pittsburgh community, so it is worth getting involved.
While many universities have a climate plan in place, many others have not. As a result, they are taking action and preparing their students for a world where the environment is safe and livable. They have committed to developing a Climate Action Plan by 2023, and they have already begun their journey. With the support of the Climate Leadership Network, Pittsburgh is paving the way for a better future. Its climate action program is one example of how to accelerate climate action in higher education.
While global warming is arguably the greatest threat to mankind today, many people are working to reverse it. While it may seem impossible to reverse global warming, these progressive and innovative colleges are putting their energy and resources into finding solutions. If you want to be a part of this effort, join the University of Pittsburgh climate leadership network today! It will inspire many students to act for a more sustainable planet. This is the foundation of a vibrant campus climate.
In addition to launching a new program, the Pittsburgh Climate Leadership Network has announced the speakers. The group will feature 15 professional speakers and 15 climate change trainers at its annual conference, taking place April 18-22. A roundtable discussion will be led by former CNN executive producer and director of its Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism. At the launch event, the network will unveil its first-ever Climate Leadership Awards. They will announce the winner of the award during the May 15 ceremony.
The University of Pittsburgh has joined the Presidents’ Climate Commitment. The American College & University has committed to taking action on climate change, including launching the MS in Environmental Studies program. The university’s Climate Action Plan outlines its five-decade legacy of environmental leadership and aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2030. These awards highlight students who are tackling climate change beyond the academic realm. Whether they are involved in national climate initiatives or collaborating with local organizations, they are taking action to address the problem of climate change.
St. Mary's College of California
The University of Pittsburgh and St. Mary’s College of California are just two of the colleges that have joined the Climate Leadership Network. The four schools, which have partnered with the global community to fight climate change, discuss the benefits of their participation in the network, as well as the challenges they face. While reversing global warming may seem like an impossible task, these colleges are making strides towards solutions that can be implemented today.
The college is dedicated to personal growth and discovery and provides the tools to take control of your life. The women-only college offers study abroad, internships at Fortune 500 companies, and graduate-quality research opportunities. The college also celebrates diversity in the classroom with programs that empower women and encourage gender equality. Students are also given the opportunity to work in the world of science and technology. While studying at Saint Mary’s, students will be able to participate in a climate leadership network as part of their degree program.
The Climate Leadership Network is an initiative of Second Nature. Signatory campuses commit to advancing climate action on their campus and are accountable for their progress through their reporting platform. Signatory institutions are publicly reporting their greenhouse gas inventories and climate action plans. The Climate Leadership Network also provides resources to support climate action, such as carbon neutrality certification. The Climate Leadership Network website lists signatory institutions and their carbon neutrality plans.
Among the other members of the Climate Leadership Network is Dr. Jason Clyburne. The Canadian Research Chair in Environmental Science and Materials and a professor of sustainable construction, he aims to promote climate action and find solutions for the climate crisis. His current project involves developing ionic liquids – designer chemicals used to remove harmful chemicals from industrial processes. His work on this project is a prime example of how St. Mary’s students can play an integral role in the future of environmental sustainability.
This project will build climate resilience in communities and support policies and programs that address health equity. This is essential because our climate is changing faster than we had imagined. California is already in the early stages of a multi-decade drought, which will only be worsened by climate change. California will pass the dangerous 1.5 degree Celsius threshold by 2027 if we do nothing. That’s why bold policy changes are needed to achieve a more equitable climate solution.
CBE is a nonprofit institution founded in 1978. It educates public decision makers about the environment and creates effective solutions. The CBE brings together senior executives from major corporations, statewide labor leaders, and leading environmental and consumer organizations. Together, the CBE’s Climate Leadership Network fosters common interests and workable policies to reduce pollution and improve public health. It’s a wonderful organization to join.
Dr. Ervine co-produced a documentary film titled Carbon Addicts, which will be published by Scientific American. She’s also working on a book project with Polity Press. She also maintains an active research project focused on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which governs global carbon trading and offsetting. She also studies the politics of using market mechanisms to raise climate finance in the Global South.
