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The Implementer
August 2023
Accelerate Your Climate Awareness. Knowledge. Action. | Second Nature's Monthly E-Newsletter.
NOTABLE NEWS
Deadline Extended through September 8!
$10K Catalyst Grants Available to Jumpstart Climate Action, Resilience, and Justice Projects
Jumpstart a new campus initiative or build capacity for a project already underway with an unrestricted Catalyst Grant of up to $10,000. Use funding for materials, staffing, and other needs to support your climate action work. Find details, past projects, and our streamlined application on our website.
OTHER NEWS
Summit 2024 Partnership Opportunities
The Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit is the premier gathering of higher education leaders working to address inequity and the climate crisis. It is also a great venue for companies and solutions providers looking to connect with campuses to drive climate action strategies and show their support for critical movement-building work.
Businesses and organizations interested in connecting with our Summit attendees are invited to explore our partnership opportunities. If you have a contact who would be an excellent fit for a Summit partnership, please get in touch with Bridget Flynn.
Don't Miss Out on Registration and Hotel Deals: Early Bird registration deals are still available for the Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit. Register soon and book your room in our hotel block to secure a low rate!
Contribute Your Ideas: Second Nature welcomes your submissions for our 2024 Summit Call for Content. Whether you have a topic you'd like to present or have a recommendation for content or speakers, please submit your ideas!
New Initiative from the Offset Network Focuses on Improved Forest Management Carbon Offsets
The Offset Network announces a special focus on Improved Forest Management (IFM) carbon offsets, beginning with the 2023-2024 academic year. The goals of this focused initiative are to address problems with over-crediting associated with IFM offsets through improvement of an IFM protocol, and to assist campuses in developing improved forest management carbon offset projects.
Join us for an informational meeting for campuses or individual academics interested in forest carbon offset projects on September 25 over Zoom. If you have questions, please contact Meredith Leigh.
Date: September 25, 2023
Time: 2 pm ET / 11 am PT
A first-of-its-kind Second Nature project aims to understand and overcome federal funding barriers faced by researchers at higher education institutions not commonly involved in energy systems research, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), and community colleges.
Researchers from these institutions are encouraged to take part in the first phase of this project by attending one of our remaining listening sessions:
- Register for Wednesday, September 6, 11 am - 12 pm EST
- Register for Thursday, September 14, 11 am - 12 pm EST
NOTE: Faculty intending to apply for the Second Nature funding must attend at least one listening session.
A cohort of 12 researchers will be selected to participate in a pilot program with Second Nature, through which they will receive up to $10,000 in addition to capacity building experiences and assistance from our team in identifying and applying for federal funding.
SIMAP Subscription Rates Increasing September 11
As a last minute reminder, SIMAP prices will be increasing. Effective September 11, 2023, Tier 1 subscriptions will be $500/year and Tier 2 subscriptions will be $750/year. Active Second Nature Climate Leadership Commitment signatories will continue to receive a 40% discount. Renew prior to September 11 to get the current pricing of $400 for Tier 1 and $600 for Tier 2.
MONTHLY MERIT
The University of California system announced bold new measures for directly reducing emissions, building on their successful work to cut greenhouse gas emissions and transition to carbon-free electricity. UC's carbon emissions are 30% lower than they were in 2009, and their energy efficiency programs have saved the university system more than $400 million. Their updated guidelines align the university's climate goals with those of the state of California.
RAPID RECOGNITIONS
California State University - San Marcos President Ellen Neufeldt signed the Climate Commitment on August 17th. In the coming years, CSUSM will develop, implement, and evaluate its Climate Action Plan to bring the university closer to its commitment to decarbonization and climate resilience.
Loyola University Chicago was named a Laudato Si' Champion by the Catholic Climate Covenant in recognition of significant contributions to promoting sustainability on its campus and among fellow higher education institutions. Saint Peter's University received an honorable mention for their on-campus sustainability initiatives and student-driven environmental efforts. Both universities are Carbon Commitment signatories.
A new 20-megawatt solar farm will soon provide power to the University of Pittsburgh's campus, with 55,000 solar panels producing up to 18% of the campus' electricity. The solar project, built through a partnership with Vesper Energy, will help Pitt reach its goal of campus carbon neutrality by 2037.
Congratulations to Miami University, a Climate Commitment signatory, for completing their Resilience Assessment! These assessments are designed to help campuses identify strengths and vulnerabilities in their resilience to different dimensions of climate change and surface opportunities for partnerships within and outside of the institution.
University of Minnesota - Twin Cities recently released their updated Climate Action Plan (CAP). The plan details successes to date on their road to decarbonization, including a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, and identifies opportunities for accelerating their climate action work.
RELEVANT RESOURCES
Sustainable Endowment Institute's (SEI) newly released report explores the positive impacts of Green Revolving Funds (GRF), a financing tool that invests in sustainable projects, using the resulting utility costs savings to fund future projects. The report shows cumulative investment in sustainable projects by GRFs totals over $1.3 billion and have financed close to 2,200 projects that reduce resource consumption!
OPPORTUNITIES
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) represents a historic opportunity for higher education institutions to advance climate action. Join Second Nature’s Tim Carter and Boston Green Ribbon Commission to learn how you can leverage the IRA.
Date: September 13, 2023
Time: 12:30 pm ET
Campus Climate Action Corps (CCAC), a Campus Compact initiative, is seeking colleges and universities in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southeast to serve as Host Sites for AmeriCorps Members. Participating institutions can leverage a team of AmeriCorps Members working on projects that contribute to sustainability on campus and in the community, from conducting home energy assessments to enhancing ecosystem health in underserved neighborhoods.
Last chance to register! Join us for a Midwest gathering that centers the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color as we connect and build solidarity to move climate action forward. This event is supported by the College of Menominee Nation. Find an agenda, information on lodging, and other details on our website.
Date: September 11-12, 2023
Location: Menominee Casino and Resort, Wisconsin
Accelerate Your Climate Awareness.
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