We Are In This Together

With 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.    

We know that your focus is on caring for your families, students, colleagues, and communities during this challenging situation.  Please know that we are thinking about all of you. 

What Second Nature Is Doing During This Global Crisis

Second 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 Support 

While 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

• Office Hours: The weekly (3-5pm ET every Thursday) Office Hours that we offer for our signatories will continue throughout this challenging time.  If the Thursday Office Hours do not work for you, you can also schedule a day/time with any staff member directly. 
   
• Climate Solutions Acceleration Fund: We are continuing to accept applications for the Climate Solutions Acceleration Fund.  The Acceleration Fund is a small innovative fund that is dedicated to supporting the scaling of the climate action activities that the colleges and universities who are a part of the Climate Leadership Network and/or the University Climate Change Coalition (UC3) are doing.  For more information, please visit the Acceleration Fund page.  
   
• Monthly Policy Updates: This month, we started a monthly policy update pilot effort.  We started this in response to many of you who requested more regular updates on policy efforts and opportunities to participate (sign-on letters, etc) in, to ensure that the higher education voice is heard.  For more information, please see the "Notable News" section below. 
   
• The Implementer: The Implementer - the e-newsletter you are currently reading - will continue being put out by us every fourth Thursday of every month. 
   
• Other Tools and Resources: We are constantly updating our website with the latest climate tools and resources that we provide to you.  This will continue, and we will continue expanding on them as well.  Are there certain virtual tools and resources you would be interested in us expanding on during this time?  Please let us know here.  

We Want To Hear From You

With 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 NEWS

BONUS BULLETIN

RELEVANT RESOURCES (all virtual)

RAPID RECOGNITIONS

ONCOMING OPPORTUNITIES

Webinar: Renewable Energy Buying

Join 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.

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020
Time: 2-3 PM EDT
Registration: Click on the Button Below

2020 Green Power Leadership Awards

The 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 Justice

The 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 MERIT

This One Goes to All of You 

Usually 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.