This is Planet Ed creates plan for ‘higher education sector to advance climate solutions’
Universities should develop “climate education” plans in order to save the planet, a think tank argues.
This is Planet Ed, an initiative of the Aspen Institute focused on addressing climate change in education, published its new “Higher Ed Climate Action Plan” this month.
“The effects of climate change are harming people and communities across our country and the globe. These effects will only worsen in the decades to come,” the “Higher Ed Climate Action Plan“states.
“In this action plan, we identify the opportunity for the higher education sector to advance climate solutions, adapt to our changing climate, and prepare students for success in a sustainable, resilient, and just society,” the plan reads.
This is Planet Ed states it hopes for “America’s 4,000 institutions of higher education” to “engage, prepare, and support the 19 million students enrolled in colleges and universities for success in a changing climate and economy.”
It goes on to recommend that universities implement “a plan for equitable climate action,” “support all students to ensure success in a changing climate,” “engage and support communities…in advancing meaningful solutions,” “develop solutions to reduce carbon pollution,” and “model solutions to spur broad, equitable climate action.”
Some universities have already begun implementing “climate education” into their curricula. Starting this academic year schools such as Arizona State University and the University of California San Diego will mandate climate change courses for students. Meanwhile, Columbia, Harvard, and Stanford have new schools focused exclusively on educating about climate change, according to Climate Telegram.
Other schools have created specific roles to promote “climate education.” The University of Pennsylvania created a climate change vice provost role who will “support Penn’s leadership in addressing the climate crisis,” as previously reported by The College Fix.
Similarly, the State University of New York system has sustainability officers tasked with “the development of a systemwide climate action and sustainability plan that integrates workforce development, research and academic programming,” according to Inside Higher Ed.
Western Michigan University took a different approach by launching a semester-long “emergency” climate change campaign aimed at motivating students to take action on the “crisis.” The school hosted workshops and seminars such as “Using Mindfulness to Ease Climate Anxiety” and “Indigenous Approaches to Climate Action in Relationship to Mother Earth,” as previously reported by The College Fix.
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