Hey June and a Yellow Submarine
The brightest news this June in the area of climate change came to us in the form of a yellow submarine dubbed "Boaty McBoatface" which uncovered a significant climate change discovery linking Antarctic winds with rising sea temperatures. McBoatface was named by a landslide public poll, bringing people together through shared comic relief. Sometimes it’s the light-hearted messages around a more serious matter, that give us the extra boost to keep going.
With this in mind, we want to highlight climate research accomplishments or endeavors at your institution, as we’ve done in this issue. Email bpainter@secondnature.org with examples of your university or college's hopeful research and/or communications projects so we can share broadly with our Network and supporters. In the words of the Beatles, let's "come together" through optimistic narratives that take the challenge at hand as seriously as the boldness to believe in our ability to beat it.
University of Utah Takes its Research to the Streets
Talk about a cool cross-sector partnership benefiting the community! The newest UC3 member, University of Utah's Google street car project is mapping methane leaks via Google Street View cars in Salt Lake City with Google Earth Outreach and the Environmental Defense Fund. The project aims to take on air quality challenges in the Salt Lake Valley by gaining data for varying pollution levels across the city. |
UCLA & a Snowstorm of Electricity
Could Snow Be the Next Source of Clean Energy? "Two UCLA scientists have invented a device that uses silicone to capture the electrical charge from snow — and create electricity." It's still a “proof of concept” experiment for the time being, but with a lot of room for fine-tuning to increase its power output and promising potential for the future. This is the kind of innovation that causes our imaginations to believe for a hopeful future. |
UC San Diego's Insight into Coral Reef Recovery
June 8th, World Oceans Day, reminded us of the threats our oceans face due to global warming, including the devastation of our coral reefs. However, this research by UC San Diego is tracking the recovery of coral reefs for deeper insight into how corals are coping with environmental stresses of climate change: Advanced Virtual Technology Captures How Coral Reefs Recover After Bleaching. It's an encouragement to know how resilient coral reefs and nature can be and that universities can help us learn how to assist the recovery process. |
Duke & CU Denver on Extreme Weather & Climate Beliefs
Community Impacts from Extreme Weather can Shape Climate Beliefs. A joint research endeavor by Duke University & The University of Colorado Denver offers insight into the relationship between extreme weather events and societal standpoints on climate change. This kind of research is helpful when applied to crafting messages that will better inform diverse communities about the realities of climate change and what needs to happen in order to adapt. |
Stepping Up Our Cross-Sector Climate Action Game
Last week, Second Nature was grateful to announce a major donation received to bolster cross-sector work! This generosity will further equip us to support higher ed’s climate action beyond campus boundaries, bringing the sector’s complementary strengths to challenges posed by climate change. The gift comes at an opportune time after recently releasing our core strategy which highlights Second Nature’s cross-sector climate programs as a key part of the plan to exponentially accelerate climate action through higher education over the next decade. Leveraging higher education’s innovative research and partnership strengths will be key to proactively match the threat level of climate change.
Universities are an invaluable resource in the global fight against climate change. This funding will build on the momentum generated by Second Nature and UC3 members over the last year as we continue to work with government, community, and industry partners to build a sustainable future for all. -Janet Napolitano, University of California President.
Action Item: Climate Emergency Sign-on Letter
"As institutions and networks of higher and further education from across the world, we collectively declare a Climate Emergency in recognition of the need for a drastic societal shift to combat the growing threat of climate change." Here is a direct opportunity for engagement to raise awareness of the threats climate change and call it by a name that matches its urgency-- a climate emergency. Networks and institutions are invited to add their support to this Climate Emergency Letter, which will be shared with key government officials and the media in advance of the U.N. Climate Action Summit on Sept. 23 in New York.
Ideally, the president or chancellor of respective institutions will sign on to this letter on behalf of the institution. However, if an institution has already committed to the outlined actions, any faculty or staff member of the institution can sign on to reiterate its pre-existing commitment. The deadline for signing on to this letter is Aug. 1.
Policy
Ohio State on Higher Ed Kigali Support
Ohio State's Sustainability Institute shares about its support of the Kigali amendment to phase-out a GHG super pollutant alongside other universities & colleges of the Climate Leadership Network. |
Clean Energy Jobs Act Op-ed by Nate Hultman, UMD
A look at a relevant Maryland energy policy. "The Clean Energy Jobs Act will create, by some estimates, tens of thousands of jobs for Marylanders in the clean energy industry," says UMD's Center for Global Sustainability Director Nate Hultman in an op-ed for the Capital Gazette. |
Resources
Schedule One-on-One Support with Staff
Second Nature holds "Office Hours" every Thursday 3-5pm ET for one-on-one support for campus signatories of the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitments. Ask for assistance with topics ranging from carbon offsets and pricing to cross-sector work with UC3 to GHG inventories. We are here to help!
Call 617-356-1698 or choose an appointment slot for a staff member by clicking on his/her office hours.
New Large-Scale Renewable Energy Resources
Three new LSRE resources exclusively for signatories in the Climate Leadership Network are now available on the Second Nature website. We are providing a set of renewable energy resources for campuses, developed by Second Nature Clean Energy Fellow Will Elmore. It includes guidance for institutions exploring large-scale renewable energy procurement and supports aggregations to move from the interest stage to the advisor RFP signing stage.
New Addition:
-Sizing Renewable Energy Solutions: Capacity vs. Energy
-A Brief Literature Review on Internal and Aggregation Leadership
Previous Primers Include:
-Introduction to Renewable Energy Policy Research
-Understanding Your Electric Bill
-Electricity Prices and Why They Matter
New Addition:
-Renewable Energy Advisor Proposal Evaluation Rubric
Previous Excel Files Available for Download:
-Understanding Your Load Profile
-Sample Large-Scale Renewable Economics Model
To access the resources, email support@secondnature.org for password and visit our Renewable Energy Resources Page.
Webinars
Renewable Energy Procurement Webinar
Today, June 25th at 3pm ET, Environment America is hosting a webinar focused on renewable energy procurement for colleges and universities. Guest presenters will include Tim Carter, President of Second Nature and Meghan Chapple, Director of the Office of Sustainability at George Washington University.
Watch the Recording
Delivering Campus Upgrades and Carbon Reduction through Efficiency Service Agreements. The Bringing Higher Efficiency to Higher Education Webinar with Metrus Energy is available on youtube now. This webinar will explored how Wells College worked with Metrus Energy to launch a project that will deliver significant energy savings and a more comfortable living and learning environment—with no upfront cost to the college.
Upcoming Events
Inaugural UC3 Vancouver Summit in July
The University Climate Change Coalition Vancouver Summit is a 3 day event at the end of July, which will provide a space for collaboration between the leaders of top research universities, philanthropists, environment ministers, and non-governmental organizations in raising the ambition to keep global temperature rises to well under 2ºC.
The Summit will focus on two key themes: how universities are acting as change agents in their communities and how that behavior can be scaled for accelerated climate action; and leveraging the strength and influence of universities as anchor institutions to advocate on behalf of just and equitable climate policy.
The event will include an in-depth conversation between UC President and former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and UBC President Santa J. Ono focused on the role that universities should play on global issues like the climate crisis.
Signatory Offer for Horizon 19: September 18-20th
Attend Horizon19, a global event-driven platform that harnesses the international movement towards a clean economy. With 20,000 unique and growing contacts in the climate change space stemming from the inaugural event, the momentum to act on clean energy solutions is rapidly accelerating. Horizon19 is the platform to uniquely offer resolutions to act on climate commitments in concert with the Paris Agreement, 2030 Sustainability Goals, We Are Still In, and America’s Pledge.
Through Second Nature's partnership with Horizon19, University and college members of the Climate Leadership Network receive 2 complimentary tickets per institution and a 50% discount for additional attendees.
Email ehoward@secondnature.org for the discount codes to register.
On the Second Nature Blog
A Learning Program at the Siemens Ingenuity Center
One of a series of in-person peer-to-peer workshops that Second Nature is hosting at locations around the country in 2019.
"During the Spring Term, Second Nature in partnership with Siemens hosted a half-day program for finance, facilities and sustainability professionals at Chicago-area campuses. These campuses each face unique sets of challenges and opportunities as the decision makers try to realize climate commitments. As buildings and campuses grow more complex, opportunities to leverage new, and existing, technologies and approaches expand..."
Here comes the sun... Enjoy July.
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