The Implementer - June 2020 No images? Click here There is No Climate Justice Without Racial Justice. Second Nature stands in solidarity with those on the front lines pushing for systemic change, racial equality and justice across the nation. As with climate justice, we understand that the fight for racial justice isn’t based on one incident; but rather generations of injustice and indifference. Justice of any kind - including climate justice and racial justice We all have a responsibility to do our part to affect meaningful change. At Second Nature, we know that our organization can do better, and that we need to do better. Now is the time to move our justice goals from aspiration to action. We will listen, learn, and pursue programs linking climate and racial justice in partnership with front-line organizations that have been at the vanguard of this intersectional work....(more/full statement) MONTHLY MERITAcceleration Fund Awardees AnnouncedEarlier this month, we announced the colleges and universities who received funding through the Climate Solutions Acceleration Fund for their proposed climate action projects. We received over 50 proposals from schools of every size, shape and category. One of the eligibility requirements was that a college/university had to be a Climate Leadership Network signatory and/or a University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) member. Congratulations to the Colleges and Universities Who Received First Round Funding:Agnes Scott College Institute of American Indian Arts A Tremendous Thank You to the Acceleration Fund Proposal Review Committee!RAPID RECOGNITIONSThank You for Helping Us, Help You, Accelerate Your Climate Action.The colleges and universities listed below are Climate Leadership Network signatories and/or University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) members that have reaffirmed their commitment to climate action. Second Nature is thankful for their support that allows us to offer the resources, relationships, credibility and knowledge to accelerate climate action in, and leverage the strengths of, colleges and universities. Auburn University Medical University of South Carolina Morehouse and Clark Atlanta Team Win Innovation ShowcaseIn February 2020, a Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University combined team competed and won the HBCU Making & Innovation Showcase; an annual showcase in its third year. The Showcase was hosted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, with support from the National Science Foundation. The winning Morehouse College and Clark Atlanta University team's project focused on the SDG goal of climate action. NOTABLE NEWSUC3 Leadership TransitionAnnounced on Monday, June 22, 2020, leadership of the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) will transition from University of California President Janet Napolitano, to the University of British Columbia President Santa J. Ono. The transition will be effective as of Tuesday, June 30, 2020.
BONUS BULLETINRace to Zero CampaignRace to Zero is a United Nation's campaign focused on mobilizing entities in a variety of global sectors - including higher education - who are focused on being net zero by 2050. The goal is to build momentum leading up to COP26. RELEVANT RESOURCESPresident Elsa M. Núñez Secretary John Kerry President L. Rafael Reif We Have a Major Announcement . . .We are excited to share the following virtual opportunity with you, which will take place on Thursday, July 16, 2020, at 1PM EDT. COVID-19, Climate and Higher Ed: Defining the Sector’s Responsibility in Solving Global Challenges We invite you to join us for a virtual panel discussion with:
This discussion will focus on the lessons learned from the rapid response to COVID-19, and how those lessons can be applied to combating climate change, taking into account concerns about racial justice. The conversation will highlight how universities’ research, tech transfer and education activities can help address climate change. More Information Coming Soon!June 2020 Policy UpdateIn case you missed it when it was sent out two weeks ago, the June 2020 issue of the Monthly Policy Update is now available. ONCOMING OPPORTUNITIESHAPPENING TODAY! YOU CAN STILL REGISTER!WEBINAR: Solar-Plus-Storage: A Winning Combination for Your Campus to Achieve Climate Action GoalsThursday, June 25, 2020 | 1-2:15PM EDTHear how the West Valley-Mission Community College District and SunPower worked together to install an integrated solar and storage project in the heart of California's Silicon Valley. Speakers: Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) Special Event (Virtual)Wednesday, July 8, 2020 | 8-10AM EDTHESI - a partnership between the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UNESCO, United Nations Environment, and numerous others - is organizing a special event to be held during the 2020 High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. WEBINAR: Urban Forestry Carbon Offset Protocol: Developing Projects through the Offset NetworkThursday, July 9, 2020 | 2-3PM EDTThe Offset Network, now hosted by Second Nature, presents a new pathway for colleges and universities to develop carbon offset methodologies. New methodologies can undergo a technical expert review process to obtain approval for use through the Offset Network. Learn about this new pathway, and the first protocol to complete the technical review process. WEBINAR: Engaging in Cross-Sector Climate Action With Local And State/Provincial Government OfficialsWednesday, July 15, 2020 | 2-3:15PM EDTThis webinar will involve participants in a conversation about how universities can engage local and state/provincial government officials in cross-sector climate action, drawing on the experiences of several of Second Nature’s University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) members. Speakers: WEBINAR: Universities Making a Difference by Integrating Climate Action and Sustainability Across the CurriculumMonday, July 20, 2020 | 3-4:15PM EDTThe social contract between universities and the societies they serve is changing. It used to be enough for universities to do research and educate students. Increasingly, however, we are being asked to engage tangibly and actively with the problems faced by the societies which fund us. This webinar will: explore those challenges and opportunities facing universities, outline an agenda for transforming the campus into a living laboratory/agent of change in the community, and involve participants in a conversation about how universities can integrate climate action across the college or university curriculum. Speakers: WEBINAR: The Collaborative: A One-Stop Shop for Electrifying Your FleetWednesday July 22, 2020 | 3-4PM EDTThis webinar will engage participants in a conversation about how colleges and universities can become involved in the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative – an unprecedented collaborative and partnership between Climate Mayors, the Electrification Coalition, and Sourcewell aimed at accelerating the transition to electric vehicle fleets by removing barriers to purchase. Speakers: Webinar: GRITS Goals: A Powerful New Tool for Climate Action PlanningThursday, July 30, 2020 | 1-2PM EDTJoin Second Nature in partnership with the Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) and SIMAP for a webinar to preview GRITS Goals, a new suite of features within the GRITS project-management platform. Speakers: American Climate Leadership Summit 2020 (Virtual)Thursdays, August 6-27, 2020 | 2PM EDTHosted by ecoAmerica, this Summit will offer different virtual, three-hour sessions every Thursday during the month of August, all focused on climate change. Second Nature is excited to be an endorser of this Summit! You can find more information about this Summit - including the session topics, by clicking on the button below. Greenbuild 2020 (Virtual)September 10 | October 1 | October 22 | November 10-12Are the building professionals at your college/university looking for opportunities to learn about making the buildings on your campus more green? This may be a virtual opportunity of interest. Greenbuild 2020 will be hosting three virtual summits this fall leading up to the virtual expo in November. |