NOTABLE NEWS
Climate Week 2019
During the week of September 23rd-27th, 2019, the entire world was focused on the UN Secretary General's Climate Summit (Climate Week) held in New York City.
Second Nature’s President, Tim Carter, and the Director of Strategic Partnerships, Eric Howard, participated in a variety of panels and activities in New York during the Summit.
Climate Week provided an opportunity for Second Nature to not only learn about the work that other organizations, various governments, businesses, and other such entities are doing when it comes to the climate crisis, but to also network and share progress about the importance of the higher education sector in accelerating climate action.
One aspect that was very apparent during the Summit, was the urgency for climate action from all attending and participating in Climate Week. From Greta Thunberg to the UN Secretary General, and everyone else, there was palpable enthusiasm and determination to act.
Some may say it was an inspiring week, but others - like us at Second Nature - would say that the urgency for climate action is a must. Second Nature was honored to be able to attend and participate in Climate Week. While our sector and institutions in the Presidents’ Climate Leadership Network have been at the forefront for more than a decade, we appreciate that this moment is a tipping point, and we look forward to continuing our acceleration with other sectors.
BONUS BULLETIN
Second Nature and the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) have EXTENDED the deadline for submitting a proposal for the 2020 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit to October 11th, 2019. For more information on submitting a proposal (Higher Education - we’re looking at you!), click here. For information on the Summit in general, including how to register, click here.
Second Nature will now be hosting and managing the Second Nature will now be hosting and managing the Offset Network. The Offset Network provides pathways for higher education institutions to develop unique offset projects that create research and educational opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. This includes the innovative Peer Verification process. We are excited to continue helping schools develop meaningful offset projects. If you are interested in learning more or getting involved, please email rwoodside@secondnature.org.
Second Nature was excited to be able to participate in Horizon19, a climate solutions conference in Boston, that took place September 19th-20th, 2019. We moderated a panel and supported the conference through Public Relations.
Second Nature’s new Impact Report, which is our Annual Report, will be coming out soon! In the meantime, you can take a look at last year’s Impact Report.
RELEVANT RESOURCES
New Resilience Guidance Materials Available Soon!
Second Nature is currently updating our resilience guidance materials to improve accessibility and to reflect the progress made by campuses. Look for these new materials that will outline the key steps in implementing the climate and resilience commitments, including examples from completed Resilience Assessment reports available soon.
Zero Energy Buildings & District Energy Systems: A Case Study from Spokane, Washington Webinar
If you were not able to join us for this September 26th webinar, you can now access the recording of the webinar online.
RAPID RECOGNITIONS
University of Tennessee at Martin joined The Climate Leadership Network
TODAY! Queen’s University is hosting a UC3 Forum
Caltech (The California Institute of Technology), a University of Climate Change Coalition (UC3) member, received a $750 million pledge for their research in environmental sustainability
MONTHLY MERIT
University of Michigan (U-M) Joins the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3)
Second Nature was excited to have the University of Michigan join the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) this month! The U-M and their President, Dr. Mark Schlissel, are doing some incredible work on their campus towards combating climate change. For more information about the work they’re doing, and U-M joining UC3, click here.
ONCOMING OPPORTUNITIES
October 5th, 2019 - 9pm-5pm EDT: BE.Hive on Campus: Climate Change Needs Behavior Change Summit, Carlisle, PA
Join Rare and Dickinson College for this event. This interactive summit will convene environmental advocates, youth climate activists, sustainability pros, behavioral scientists and some well-known visionary leaders to explore how campus communities can be at the forefront of promoting sustainable behaviors and curbing the climate crisis.
October 17th, 2019 - 2pm EDT: VPPAs, PPAs, and RECs Webinar
The University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and Geronimo Energy will discuss multi-faceted approaches to renewable energy and how UMN obtained internal buy-in and support to propel renewal energy procurement forward.
October 27th-30th, 2019: 2019 AASHE Conference & Expo:
Co-Creating a Sustainable Economy, Spokane, WA
Second Nature and many other entities will attend this conference focused on "co-creating a sustainable economy".
December 9th-12th, 2019: Global Congress for Climate Change & Sustainability Professionals, Chicago, IL
Join hundreds of professionals and organizations - including Second Nature! - in the sustainability and climate action industry at this summit. The focus of this summit will be on uniting forces to take action and increase the influence and urgency for climate action.
February 23rd-25th, 2020: Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, Atlanta, GA
The Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, presented by Second Nature and the Intentional Endowments Network, is the premier gathering of a select group of higher education leaders committed to driving our nation’s climate action. As the world looks to 2020 to update emissions reductions targets under the Paris Climate Agreement, the Summit will be an opportunity for the higher education sector to take stock of its own progress and explore ways to scale local climate leadership to meet the global goals by working across institutions and across sectors.
