Located in Meadville, Pennsylvania, Allegheny College had the goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2020, and they have accomplished that goal. To learn more about how they maintained climate leadership during presidential transitions, view their Summit presentation and learn more below. Congratulations Allegheny College!
Big News:
Two Colleges in Pennsylvania Achieve Carbon Neutrality
Photo Credit: Second Nature
We Want to Hear From You:
Commuting Impacts in Higher Ed
Over the past ten months Second Nature and the University of New Hampshire Sustainability Institute (UNSHI) have co-facilitated a working group of sustainability professionals representing ten different higher education institutions. The purpose of the group is to improve data collection and reporting related to commuting impacts in higher education, identify opportunities for standardization across inventory tools (SIMAP®) and reporting platforms (e.g. Second Nature,
AASHE STARS), and to ultimately improve the comparability and accuracy of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories. The Working Group has produced recommendations and tools and is seeking feedback.
Now Available:
2020-2025 UC3 Strategic Plan
Moving into its third year, the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) has refined its role as an accelerant of place-based climate solutions and leading voice on the urgency of climate action. The 2020-2025 strategic plan represents an updated vision and plan forward, building upon UC3 successes and lessons learned over the past two years.
Information:
Carbon Neutral Institutions
Wondering who all of the Climate Leadership Network signatories are who have achieved carbon neutrality? You can now find that information on the *new* Carbon Neutral Colleges and Universities page on our website.
Webinar Recording:
Measuring Higher Ed’s Progress Towards Carbon Neutrality
New Resource:
Monthly Policy Updates in One Place
In March, we launched a Monthly Policy Update. On the second Thursday of every month, we email this newsletter that includes information on policy initiatives at the state (for 15 states) and federal (when relevant) levels, as well as opportunities (when they exist) for your institutions to participate in (i.e. sign-on letters, etc).
We now have a page on our website where you can find out more information about this effort, subscribe to the email list, and view the current and previous Updates.
New Resource:
Virtual Tools & Resources
We are continuing to build-out our virtual support by compiling some of our existing online tools and resources in one, easily accessible place. They are broken out by topic areas and we are continually adding more tools and resources to this list. If you are looking for something that is not on this list, please let us know.
New Resource:
Offset Network Quarterly Update
We are excited to announce that this month, we launched an Offset Network Quarterly Update e-newsletter. In these quarterly e-newsletters, you can find information on the Offset Network, opportunities to get involved, and updates on active carbon offset projects. You can subscribe to the email list to receive the Quarterly Update directly in your inbox.
Virtual Resource:
Campus Energy & Sustainability Podcast
Photo Credit: Second Nature
Photo Credit: Second Nature
Credit: Brailsford & Dunlavey Campus Energy & Sustainability Podcast
News:
A Partnership to Develop a Resilience Hub
Earth Day 2020:
Thank You to All of You
None of us would have predicted that due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), many aspects of everyday life would become virtual, as we all are doing our part to help curb the spread of COVID-19 through physical distancing. In some cases, it's not just everyday life that became virtual; but also events and activities that are not normally 100% virtual; like Earth Day. The higher education sector - knowing the importance of Earth Day in helping to further promote climate action and climate solutions - swiftly made all related Earth Day activities, events, and projects virtual. Thank you for continuing to show true leadership when it comes to ensuring
that climate action endures, no matter what.
Now Available:
U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools
Organizing a Renewable Energy Buying Consortium to Cut Energy Costs and Curb Carbon Emissions: How We Did It & How You Can Too
Thursday, May 7, 2020
2-3PM EDT
Speakers:
Delicia Nahman, Director of Sustainability, Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania
Kalyna Procyk, Sustainability Coordinator and Adjunct Professor of Political Science and Sustainability Studies, Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Chris O’Brien, Director of Business Development, CustomerFirst Renewables
About:
Learn how Lehigh University, Lafayette College, Muhlenberg College, and Dickinson College banded together to achieve the scale needed to build a solar project big enough to supply 100% of their renewable energy needs.
Solutions Center: Helping You Understand Your Carbon Reduction Options
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
1-2PM EDT
Speakers:
Steve Muzzy, Senior Manager, Climate Programs, Second Nature
Dave Karlsgodt, Director, Management Advisory Services Brailsford & Dunlavey, Inc
Chris O’Brien, Director, Business Development CustomerFirst Renewables
About:
Second Nature has partnered with CustomerFirst Renewables and Brailsford & Dunlavey to launch the Solutions Center - a platform that helps campuses quickly review the solutions available and to help build a presentation for decision makers to more easily assess and prioritize decisions faster in order to accelerate climate action.
Here Comes the Sun: Shining a Light on How Solar Projects Can Inform Sustainability and Curriculum Goals
Thursday, May 14, 2020
2-3PM EDT
Speakers:
– John Geissler, Director, Saint John’s Outdoor University and Land Manager, Saint John’s Abbey Arboretum, MN
– Kyle Rauch, Asst. Director/Education Coordinator, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University & Community Education, MN
– Doug Wester, Manager, Renewable Energy Solutions, Geronimo Energy, MN About:
Join Saint John’s University and Abbey and renewable energy developer Geronimo Energy as they discuss how the campus has used solar energy projects to help achieve sustainability goals and to educate their study body and the community-at-large.
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