March 2020 Implementer No images? Click here We Are In This TogetherWith this new reality that we are all currently dealing with, it's hard to believe that just one month ago, many of you were with all of us in-person at the 2020 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit. One of the Summit themes, was that we are all working together, as one community. That's not just a theme, but a reality; and that reality rings truer than ever before with the current global crisis that we are in - we are all in this together. What Second Nature Is Doing During This Global CrisisSecond Nature is continuing our efforts to accelerate higher education’s climate action. We want to do our part to help flatten the curve, so every staff member is currently working remotely. We also remain committed to assisting our campus leaders, staff, students, and other partners. Second Nature's Continued SupportWhile our in-person interactions are currently halted with all of you, we are extending our virtual and online support. TOOLS AND RESOURCES: PROVIDING NORMALCY WHERE WE CAN
We Want To Hear From YouWith this new reality that we are currently in together, we would like to hear directly from you about what additional virtual and online support we can be providing during this time. For example, do you think now would be a good time for Second Nature to host webinars that take deeper dives into climate issues? If you would like to provide us with your thoughts and feedback, please complete this very brief survey. NOTABLE NEWSMonthly Policy UpdatesNow more so than ever, we are working to ensure that the higher education sector voice is not forgotten about, and still has a seat at the table when it comes to climate policy. One way that we will be doing this, is to continue providing you with the Monthly Policy Updates - which also provide you with opportunities to participate - which we started this month. Above Image Credit: Licensed from AdobeStock Photos Here Is the Need to Know Information About the Policy Updates:
To Sign-Up to Receive the Monthly Policy Update, email: abelles@secondnature. org BONUS BULLETINAs noted previously above, the Climate Solutions Acceleration Fund, is a small innovation fund that is dedicated to supporting the scaling of the climate action acceleration activities of colleges and universities who are Climate Leadership Network signatories and/or University Climate Change Coalition members. Proposal applications for the funding are openly sourced during the application period. For this round of funding, 5-10 proposals will be funded. For information on how to apply, and more, please visit the Acceleration Fund page. Summit Photos and MoreThank you again to the 2020 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit attendees and sponsors. The 2020 Summit was what it was because of all of you being so actively engaged and focused on creating climate solutions. If you are interested in reliving the 2020 Summit and/or you simply need a break from everything currently going on, you can view the Summit photos, and more here. Second Nature FeaturedSecond Nature was recently featured in The University Network (TUN). We were honored by the opportunity. You can access the article here. Dates to Know: April 3, 2020: End of May 2020: Photos Credit: Second Nature Photo Credit: Licensed from AdobeStock Photos RELEVANT RESOURCES (all virtual)Photo Credit: Second Nature Photo Credit: Licensed From AdobeStock Photos Photo Credit: Licensed From AdobeStock Photos Photo Credit: Licensed From AdobeStock Photos Photo Credit: Licensed From AdobeStock Photos We are pleased to introduce the Solutions Center. The Solutions Center identifies carbon and energy reducing activities to support campus climate action goals. For more information, please visit the Solutions Center page here. Reporting Period UpdateThe 2020 reporting period for signatories of the Climate Leadership Network began on January 1st and is supposed to run until May 1st, 2020. However, we are sensitive to this new reality, and the unknowns ahead of us. As always, if you need more time, please let us know by emailing reporting@secondnature.org. We will also be following up with more information related to reporting shortly, please stay tuned for more information. Resilience Matters E-Book AvailableIsland Press recently released a downloadable e-book called Resilience Matters, which is a collection of climate-related stories, articles, short stories, and so on from 2019. Student Sustainability SurveyStudents Organizing for Sustainability International (SOS), will be conducting a student survey on sustainability, between April 1-30, 2020, and they are asking for as many students as possible to respond to the survey. To learn more, including how the survey will be conducted and what the goals of the survey are, visit here. Diversity and the Environment Webinar SeriesThe Association for Environmental Studies and Sciences and Antioch University, are hosting a webinar series over the coming months that is focused on diversity and the environment. For more information on the series, please visit here. RAPID RECOGNITIONSRutgers Joins UC3Earlier this month, Rutgers University joined the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3)! SIU Joins NetworkOn February 20, 2020, Southern Illinois University Carbondale joined the Climate Leadership Network by signing the Climate Commitment! Pitt Joins NetworkIn late February, the University of Pittsburgh joined the Climate Leadership Network by signing the Carbon Commitment! Welcome to the Network! ONCOMING OPPORTUNITIESWebinar: Renewable Energy BuyingJoin Second Nature, CustomerFirst Renewables, Lafayette College, and Muhlenberg College for a webinar focused on harnessing large-scale renewable energy to control long-term energy costs and to help achieve dramatic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. 2020 Green Power Leadership AwardsThe United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) are accepting applications until March 30, 2020 for the 2020 Green Power Leadership Awards. For more information on what the awards are, eligibility, how to apply, and more, click on the button below. "Virtual Teach-In" on Climate Solutions and JusticeThe Center for Environmental Policy at Bard College is assembling state dialogue webinars focused on climate solutions and Justice. This "virtual teach-in" will take place on April 7th. For more information, click on the button below. MONTHLY MERITThis One Goes to All of YouUsually we use the Monthly Merit section of the Implementer to feature a college or university who has taken a major climate action in some way. However, for this month's Monthly Merit, we want to recognize every single one of you. Let's be honest. This new reality that we're currently facing hits each and every one of us. We really are all in this together. However, while many of us were slowly trying to absorb what exactly was beginning to happen with COVID-19 once it came to the states, colleges and universities - all of you - didn't hesitate a moment to focus on the health and safety of your staff, faculty, students, and surrounding communities. You illustrated leadership and jumped into action. The climate action partnership work that we do with all of you has given us an opportunity to watch as you continue to accelerate your leadership to create real climate solutions. You continue to do the hard work it takes to reach your climate goals. You continue to take on the important role of ensuring that the next generation of leaders understand climate change and are ready to take climate action. Thank you for the leadership you continue to show, no matter what the issue or situation is. We are all in this together, and we will all get through this together. |