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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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February 2017
In this issue…
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New Reporting Platform!
Post-Summit Survey
2017 Summit in Photos
Recording: Communicating Science in #AltFacts Era
White Paper: Large-Scale Renewables
Supporters & Quotes: Climate Open Letter
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Educational Events
Resources
From the Second Nature Blog
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New Second Nature Reporting Platform
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Video Walkthrough
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We are excited to announce that the new Second Nature Reporting Platform is live! To help you get started we've created a short guidance video on navigating the new site which covers: how the public and signatories can engage with the data, what's included in the Annual Progress Evaluation, and how to manage your users and contacts.
Reminder: Beginning in 2017, signatories can report annual progress between the dates of January 1st - May 1st to allow more flexibility, while eliminating the need to request and approve extensions. Essentially May 1st is the deadline. For questions and support contact reporting@secondnature.org.
New Reporting Platform | Video Walkthrough
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It's Your Summit, Help us Improve it!
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Post-Summit Survey
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To those who were able to make it out to Arizona last week for the 2017 Presidential Climate Leadership Summit, we thank you. We are glad you could join us to celebrate our 10 years of joint climate leadership and commitment. If you attended, please take a few minutes to help us improve future gatherings by sharing your feedback through our anonymous survey. Share your Feedback.
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Summit Photos
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Browse our photos of the event
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The 2017 Summit saw close to 300 attendees come together to discuss climate action and innovation. Attendees included higher education Senior Leadership and Sustainability Staff, as well as representatives form nonprofits and green businesses across the country. Check out pictures from the sessions, keynotes and receptions. See Album.
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Effectively Communicating Science
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in a Policy Era of Alternative Facts
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Lawrence Krauss, renowned theoretical physicist and director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University, and James Weinstein, the Dan Cracchiolo Chair in Constitutional Law at College of Law at ASU, dialogue about ramifications and strategies to effectively communicate facts in our current political reality at the 2017 Summit. Watch video.
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Large-Scale Renewables
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The Next Chapter in Higher Education Sustainability Leadership
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Higher ed. is positioned to expand and benefit from climate leadership and many have have ambitious GHG reduction commitments. However, the ‘climate gap’ is widening, as campuses become more technology and electricity intensive. Large-scale renewable energy provides a solution to close this gap, show climate leadership, reduce long-term electricity cost, and manage risk. This white paper, in partnership with CustomerFirst Renewables, walks through the opportunities, challenges, first steps and more. Download.
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Final Supporters and Quotes
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Higher Education Climate Action Open Letter to New Administration
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This letter was collaboratively developed by a diverse group of Higher Education Institutions and Second Nature, and released on Dec. 19, 2016. The final letter was sent to the new Congressional delegation and incoming Presidential transition team on January 17, 2017. See what institutions added themselves to the open letter and read quotes from their presidents/chancellors on why strong federal and international Climate Action is important to their Higher Education Institutions. Letter. Quotes.
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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: Expanding Access to Renewable Energy – Customizing for Higher Education
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Wed, Mar 22, 2017 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM EDT
This webinar, hosted in partnership with Altenex, will focus on a power purchase agreement (PPA) that specifically addresses these barriers. Altenex, an Edison Energy Company, has developed an innovative, new PPA structure called PowerBloks™. PowerBloks allow colleges and universities to benefit from the favorable economics of large-scale projects in increments of 10 megawatts (MW) for contracts of just ten years in duration – smaller and shorter PPAs than have previously been available. Register.
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Webinar: Sharing the Load: Aggregating Renewable Energy Purchases with Others
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March 8, 2017, 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. ET
The idea of pooling resources to increase bargaining power is not new. But it is being newly applied to renewable energy purchases. Now, no matter the size or location of your institution, you can harness the benefits of a large-scale renewable energy solution. This webinar, hosted by CustomerFirst Renewables and the AASHE, will feature MIT’s recent large-scale renewable energy procurement, which is part of an aggregated purchase with two other buyers in Boston. Register.
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Resilience Matters
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Resilience Matters, from Island Press, is a compilation of short-form articles advancing a holistic, transformative approach to thinking and action on urban resilience in the era of climate change, grounded in a commitment to sustainability and equity. In 2013 Island Press launched the Urban Resilience Project (URP) with support from The Kresge Foundation and The JPB Foundation. The project is working to imagine and inspire the sustainable, equitable, resilient cities of the future. Download eBook.
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Toolbox for Renewable Energy Project Development
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The Green Power Partnership is working with the higher education sector to identify economic and administrative barriers in the deployment of on-site renewable energy projects. This website examines six topic areas – including policies and regulations, economic assessments, financing and funding opportunities – that have important implications for developing these on-site solar projects on college and university campuses. Explore page.
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REV Campus Challenge: Technical Assistance for Roadmaps
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REV Campus Challenge members can now get technical and financial support through NYSERDA's Roadmaps Technical Assistance program to kick-start their campus clean energy effort. Under the program, REV Campus Challenge members will partner with an energy consultant to gain greater understanding of campus energy usage, culminating in the development of a comprehensive plan or roadmap for managing and reducing on-campus energy. Find out 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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FROM THE SECOND NATURE BLOG
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New England Colleges Demonstrate Excellence
By: Ruby Woodside, Second Nature
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Recently, 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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Meet the Summit Sponsors
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The 2017 Presidential Climate Leadership Summit would not have been possible without the support of our Summit Sponsors. These leading-edge companies provide services and products that can help higher education institutions reach their goals. Learn more about some of our top Summit Sponsors below. See all our Summit Sponsors on our website.
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