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The Implementer
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Higher Education Leading on Climate
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Produced by Second Nature
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Dec 2016 - Jan 2017 Holiday Double Issue!
In this issue…
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Letter: Higher Education Leaders on Climate Action
Last Day for Early Bird Registration
New Reporting Platform Update
Middlebury College Announces Carbon Neutrality
Corporate Partner Profiles: GreenerU
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Educational Events
Resources
From the Second Nature Blog
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Letter from Higher Education Leaders on Climate Action
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“A Clean Energy Future is needed for the success of our students”
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This letter was collaboratively developed by a diverse group of Higher Education Institutions and Second Nature. A decision will be made on Monday, December 12 about the public release date of this letter. The letter will be shared with the incoming Presidential Administration, elected officials, higher education-focused media, and posted on this website. Institutions may choose to share locally as they see fit. The need for a strong network of higher education institutions with bold climate goals has never been greater and this collective effort showcases our strength as a sector. Add your institution and your President or Chancellor's name.
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New Reporting Platform Almost Here
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Beta Testing in Progress
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We beta launched the Reporting Platform this week and have sent it to 25 people who are testing its functionality. Once we incorporate their feedback and work out the bugs we will go live.
When we do, we will notify all Implementation Liaisons and Implementation Contacts. We will also provide a video on how to navigate and use the new system. This new version is designed to be easy to use, provide increased utility of your data, and allow for quick comparisons and analysis with other signatories.
Reminder: the reporting period is between January 1st - May 1st.
Take a sneak peek at the new Reporting System.
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Congratulations, Middlebury College!
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Signatory Announces Carbon Neutrality
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On December 8, President Laurie Patton of Middlebury College announced that it has reached carbon neutrality—a major sustainability milestone many years in the making. Middlebury attains a net zero carbon footprint, through greatly reducing their emissions of carbon, then balancing the remainder through sequestration and offsetting. Middlebury became a Charter Signatory of the Carbon Commitment (formerly known as ACUPCC) when they signed in 2007. Middlebury joins Colby College and Green Mountain College in being Carbon Neutral. Read Middlebury's press release.
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Corporate Partner Profiles
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GreenerU
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Creative partnerships allow Second Nature to introduce and disseminate solutions to the Climate Leadership Network widely and effectively. GreenerU collaborates with colleges and universities to implement turnkey solutions to energy challenges. Their unique approach integrates building system improvements with behavioral programs in a way that is customized for each campus. Learn more about GreenerU.
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December
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Beta Launch New Reporting System
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2017
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Full Reporting System Launch
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Jan1-May1
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New Climate Leadership Network Reporting Period
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RESOURCES
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Webinar: Investing in Clean Energy for Campuses and Endowments
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December 13, 1:30-2:30pm EST
Co-hosted by the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA), this webinar will provide an overview of the Intentional Endowments Network's (IEN) new report titled “Investing in Clean Energy: Campuses and Endowments” which was designed to encourage conversation about the financial and societal benefits of clean energy investments higher education can make – both as a customer and an institutional investor through their endowments. Register.
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Boston Resilience “Blueprint”
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Urban resilience is about much more than climate preparedness, it is also about equity. Over 600 Boston residents recently attended a public discussion hosted by Mayor Marty Walsh about racism and its connection to resilience. The first of several conversations to come, the gathering was part of the city’s work as one of the Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities. Walsh also released a report outlining principles that will underpin Boston’s resilience strategy, to be released in early 2017. Learn more. Read Report.
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Better Buildings SWAP- Navy Vs. Air Force
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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recently launched season two of “Better Buildings Challenge SWAP,” featuring the U.S. Naval Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy. Both military operations swap energy teams to improve the energy efficiency of each one’s campus. The web series covers a two-day swap at each campus. The teams learn from each other that they can apply simple behavioral changes to help students and faculty be more mindful about lighting usage and plug loads in classrooms when not in use. Watch the episodes. Learn more.
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University of Connecticut: Reflections on COP22
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Only a few days after the historical elections in the United States, we set out to North Africa to attend the U.N.’s international conference on climate change. COP22 was supposed to be a relatively straightforward, low-key conference a year after the monumental Paris Agreement had emerged from COP21. The goal was to take stock of the progress each country has made so far and flesh out the remaining challenges in the implementation of the national pledges.
Instead, this goal was overshadowed by the unexpected turn of events in the U.S., with the improbable election of Donald J. Trump to the presidency... Read more.
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Climate Studies Diversity Project for MSIs
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The American Meteorological Society’s Education Program invites you to apply for the AMS Climate Studies Diversity Project and offer a dynamic course on the most current climate science and global change issues. AMS will select 25 minority-serving institution faculty members to attend the expenses-paid Course Implementation Workshop in Silver Spring, MD from May 21 - 26, 2017. The application deadline is Wednesday, March 15, 2017 and workshop selections will be made by March 31.
The workshop leverages the expertise of Washington, DC-area NSF, NASA, NOAA and university climate scientists and will help prepare you to offer the AMS Climate Studies course. Under the Diversity Project, the license fee is waived for the first two years of course offering.
Eligible minority-serving institutions include those Federally designated as well as undergraduate institutions with a 25% or greater enrollment of underrepresented minority students.
Learn more and apply.
For questions call 202-737-1043 or e-mail AMS.
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Elevator Pitches with Better Buildings Goal Achievers
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Developed by the Better Buildings Challenge, this video series highlighta Better Buildings Challenge Goal Achievers, as they share their energy efficiency elevator pitches. Watch series.
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FROM THE SECOND NATURE BLOG
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New England Colleges Demonstrate Excellence
By: Ruby Woodside, Second Nature
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This week Middlebury College in Vermont announced carbon neutrality. Congratulations! Middlebury becomes the third school in the Climate Leadership Network to achieve its goal of carbon neutrality, joining Green Mountain College and Colby College.
Middlebury was one of the first institutions to sign the Carbon Commitment in 2007. However, the school’s commitment to sustainability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions began long before, and has been driven by stakeholders across campus including students, staff, faculty, and administrators. The road to carbon neutrality has also incorporated a variety of emissions reductions strategies. One of the first steps was the construction of a biomass facility in 2008. The biomass plant reduced Middlebury’s use of fuel oil by more than half. Now Middlebury uses locally sourced, sustainably harvested wood chips. The biomass plant also saves the college between $1 and $2 million per year!
Read more about Middlebury College, Green Mountain College and Colby College.
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Cedar Valley College: Community Colleges Leading on Climate
By: Gabriela Boscio, Second Nature
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Community Colleges across the United States are fundamental to the nation’s higher education system. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, “nearly half of all undergraduates in the United States attend community colleges”. Community Colleges are affordable, and serve our most underrepresented populations, from Black, Hispanic, Native and Asian students, to first-generation students and veterans. However, they can face many challenges in serving their communities while also addressing climate change, including lack of funding and staff.
We asked Cedar Valley College, part of the Dallas County Community College District in Texas and longtime member of the Climate Leadership Network, about their experience as a Carbon and now Climate Commitment Signatory. Dr. Maria Boccalandro, Interim Dean of Instructional Support and Distance Education and Sustainability Director, shares the story of their path from struggling with reporting, to being a two-time finalist for the Climate Leadership Awards. Read more.
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Meet the Staff
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Second Nature staff have diverse strengths and backgrounds, and bring these to light in a variety of roles. Learn more about two of our dedicated interns.
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