TEDxUNEP: Racing to Zero with Higher Education: Acting and Enabling Global Decarbonization
 

This program was part of the work that Second Nature, the UNEP, and The Alliance for Sustainability Leadership in Education (EAUC), and others are doing to support campuses in reaching their carbon reduction goals.  It was also a part of the TEDx Countdown.      

Panelists included University of California System President Michael Drake; representatives from the EAUC, COP26, UNEP; the Minister for Higher Education and Research for the Government of Sweden; and Chatham University President David Finegold.    

Second Nature Partners with the EV Purchasing Collaborative

At the end of September, Second Nature became an official partner with the Electric Vehicle Purchasing Collaborative in support of the Collaborative's expansion of their cohort of colleges and universities making the transition to Electric Vehicle (EV) fleets.

Whether you are looking to purchase your first EV or making the switch across your entire fleet, this unprecedented collaborative can help you accelerate the transition to electric vehicle fleets by helping to remove common barriers to purchase.

For more information on the Collaborative and how to join, please see our recent webinar with representatives from UCLA Fleet Procurement, Climate Mayors, and the Electrification Coalition and/or contact Sarah Reed (sreed@electrificationcoalition.org).

Image Credit: EV Purchasing Collaborative

Second Nature & TNC: Community Resilience Building Workshop

In partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Second Nature staff recently helped facilitate a virtual Community Resilience Building Workshop with the Pawtucket and Central Falls, Rhode Island communities on October 8th.
 
Over the course of the half-day Zoom workshop, a diverse group of stakeholders from a broad range of sectors came together to identify important vulnerabilities and strengths in the community. The group then proposed a series of near-term actions they could implement to strengthen the resilience of their community and address key climate-related hazards.
 
Many thanks to TNC for involving us in this workshop! And if your campus is looking for ways to strengthen the resilience of your campus and surrounding community, be sure to check out Second Nature’s Climate Resilience resources page and/or contact us to learn how you can partner with TNC to bring a workshop to your community.

Announcing the Inaugural Edition of the UC3 Dispatch
 

October Edition of Second Nature's Monthly Policy Update Available
 

Opportunity: Midwest Climate Summit
Friday, November 6th & Friday, November 20th
 

The Midwest Climate Summit - founded by Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Ohio State University, and Washington University in St. Louis - kicked off on Friday, October 2nd.  The mission of the Summit is to "expand climate knowledge, accelerate climate action, and catalyze new partnerships that deepen expertise and develop a Midwestern response to the climate crisis."  Second Nature is proud to be a summit partner.  

Webinar: 
 

Webinar: Climate Change Research at COP26 and Beyond
Monday, November 16th | 1-2:30PM EDT
 

In November 2021, heads of state, climate experts, and campaigners will convene in Glasgow, Scotland at COP26 to reflect on their countries’ progress towards their Paris Agreement goals, and work towards a better future for our planet.  International collaboration on climate issues is more important than ever.  The UK government, co-hosting COP26 with Italy, is committed to joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire action ahead of COP26.  This webinar will help researchers understand where their research can be most impactful throughout the COP process, as well as understand how the US and UK academic communities can work together on these important issues.

Webinar: Leading the Way: Global Universities as Living Labs and Agents of Change for Climate Action & Sustainability
Thursday, November 19th | 1-2:30PM EDT
 

Climate action and sustainability are growing priorities for universities around the world. Many are responding by developing strong operational sustainability goals and targets, and placing an increased emphasis on teaching and research related to climate change and sustainability.  This webinar will explore the approaches that several global universities are taking to transform their campuses and position themselves as change agents in society with respect to climate action and sustainability. 

Call For Papers Opportunity: JSPG & UK Science and Innovation Network
Submission Deadline: Sunday, January 10, 2021
 

The Journal of Science Policy & Governance (JSPG) and the United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Science and Innovation Network (UK SIN) launched a Call For Papers international competition at the end of September, which the focus being on climate change solutions.  The timing is in conjunction with COP26 which will be hosted in the United Kingdom and Italy in November 2021.  For more information, please click on the button below.     

Thank You for Helping Us, Help You, Accelerate Your Climate Action. 

The colleges and universities listed below are Climate Leadership Network signatories and/or University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) members that financially reaffirmed their commitment to climate action this month.  Second Nature is thankful for their financial support that allows us to offer the resources, relationships, credibility and knowledge to accelerate climate action in, and leverage the strengths of, colleges and universities.  

Join the Race to Zero Today; Tomorrow is Too Late

Higher education has always taken a lead in science, research, and public health.  And now higher education is taking a lead in responding to climate change.  Now is the time to accelerate that even more; join the global Race to Zero.

What Is Race to Zero?
Race to Zero is a global campaign to mobilize leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions, higher education, and investors for a Healthy, Resilient and Fair, Zero Carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs, and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. Those who have already signed onto the campaign include businesses, cities, regions, higher education institutions, investors and 120 countries. The objective of the campaign is to accelerate momentum leading up to COP26.  All members have committed to the same overarching goal to be carbon neutral by 2050.     

What Are the Criteria to Join? 
There are four criteria to be a part of this campaign: 
1.  As a leader at your institution, pledge that your campus will achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 at the latest. 
2.  Prior to COP26, have a detailed plan in place explaining how your school will accomplish your carbon neutrality goal.  
3.  Proceed with your climate action plan (i.e. put your plan into action!).
4.  Submit and publish your progress annually.  Higher education institutions that are part of Race to Zero are tracked in the Second Nature Reporting Platform.
 

Where Do We Sign-Up?
Once you meet the above criteria, you have three ways to sign-up for Race to Zero:
1. You can sign the Global Universities and Colleges Climate Letter. 
2. You can join the Climate Leadership Network by signing the Carbon or Climate Commitment.
3. You can contact Second Nature directly at racetozero@secondnature.org.
 

Make Your Voice Heard. 
Make Sure to Vote November 3rd. 

Whether by mail, in-person (masked up and socially distant), or by whatever ways are available to you for voting within your state, make a plan to vote so that your voice is heard.