But current policies have us on track for an increase of about 3.6°C by 2100. We can all find ways to help shrink our individual carbon footprint, and one of … BEIJING — In an address to faculty and students at Tsinghua University today, Harvard President Drew Faust argued forcefully that universities have a unique and critical role to play in combating climate change.. She opened her remarks by recalling her last visit to Tsinghua in 2008. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy The University of Cambridge’s recent headline-grabbing announcement of a new research lab to develop radical scientific solutions to climate change is a welcome development. Delicious insects. In this, universities are essential to all of our futures. Not only that, but working with local groups is a great way to get connected to larger groups. Thank you for taking your time to send in your valued opinion to Science X editors. All Rights Reserved. In 2019, it announced it would divest completely from fossil fuels in its US$126 billion investment portfolio and $70 billion pension fund. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no We want to prevent forest threats like drought and fire made worse by climate change. Urge your university to divest from fossil fuels, use renewable energy and commit to achieving net zero emissions—soon. Yes, we need our lawmakers and leaders to take action if we’re going to address the long-term effects of climate change, but there are things we can do to make a difference. We'll start with our university, the University of Tasmania—the case we know best. In the US, cars and trucks account for almost … “Thinking about ways to increase soil carbon storage is a really important weapon in the arsenal [against climate change],” said Ben Taylor, an ecosystem ecologist and Ph.D. candidate in Columbia University’s Department of Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology. Many universities have made a start, but they must be more ambitious as climate action leaders. Drive less. When we take care of our forests now, they continue to take care of us into the future. Changing how industries are run or subsidised doesn’t sound like anything I can influence... can I? University of British Columbia. January 19, 2021. For instance, Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, developed an award-winning Climate Action Plan (CAP) in 2009 to promote a commitment to … Top five universities for climate action 1. Climate change in a nutshell. Many universities are making divestment the core of their climate action. Researchers in social sciences, law, education and humanities are also influential in the study of climate change and its impacts. UC Davis is applying its collective strengths in science, engineering, art and design to the problem of climate change and a warming planet. Medical research advances and health news, The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances, The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web. Only by acting to understand and reduce their own climate impacts can universities be credible climate leaders. Since 2010, the University of British Columbia has had a plan in place called Climate Action 2020. The university already has no direct shareholdings in fossil fuel companies. You can become a member, donate to American Forests, and share our latest blog. The study, published in the Journal of They say that knowing is half the battle, which is why being educated on the effects of climate change goes a long way. If the Sahara is caused by the Hadley cell, it should ring the Earth like the Hadley cell, surely? Drive Less. Make sure the lights are off if you are the last to leave the classroom, take shorter showers, and consume less meat and dairy products are all good ways you can reduce your personal footprint. Universities … Our university punches above its weight, with many climate change research groups and more IPCC authors than any other Australian university. The university is also working to reduce its carbon footprint with the use of solar panels, motion-sensored lighting, and recycling, including the … Science & Climate highlights those efforts, and that of the research community, through storytelling, visuals and clear scientific explanations, to help better meet this global challenge. Knowing will help you be able to make more informed decisions and make sustainable changes in your behavior and lifestyle. As organizing committee members and academics working on climate change, we explore here what leadership in university-based climate action looks like. How to Study Climate Change in College STEM Jobs and Climate Change. Why is the CO2 level lower in my house than outside? A growing number of universities, schools and workplaces have closed and some workers are choosing to work from home if they can. Middle school students: Explore climate science Explore A Student's Guide to Global Climate Changeto learn more about the science and impacts of climate change. The University of Hong Kong supports the Climate Alliance as a vehicle for promoting research into climate change and its effects. Working with student or local groups to organize and institute changes in your community can really help in the long term. Climate Change 350 aims to build 100% renewables. limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C, International Universities Climate Alliance, Australasian Campuses Towards Sustainability, Global Colleges and Universities Climate Letter, influential in the study of climate change and its impacts, University of California to dump fossil fuel investments, How salmonella uses a metabolite to reprogram the Krebs cycle to promote its own survival, Using the unpredictable nature of quantum mechanics to generate truly random numbers, Observing chiral edge states in gapped nanomechanical graphene, Gigantic dinosaur unearthed in Argentina could be largest land animal ever, 3-D printing highly stretchable hydrogel with diverse UV curable polymers. As large organizations, they also have significant emissions, which contribute to our climate crisis. Throughout our history, we have tackled global challenges with small actions done again and again: like planting trees. Universities are big consumers and emitters—some sectors more than others. or, by Gabi Mocatta, Rob White, The Conversation. Climate change seems like a daunting challenge, but there are real life solutions … You can make a difference, so go out there and do it. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. Climate change can be the result of natural events, such as volcanic eruptions. Columbia University offers this year-long master’s degree for individuals who want to understand how they can be a change agent against the impacts of climate change. UNSW plans to expand its onsite solar generation and buy 100% renewable power for the remainder, reducing its emissions in line with keeping global warming under 1.5°C. Already partly solar-powered, the university has committed to carbon-neutral infrastructure and operations by 2030. The content is provided for information purposes only. Your vote is your voice on the national stage. In just a few short months, millions of people have been put into quarantine and regions locked down to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. That makes... Liberal Arts and Climate Change. In Paris in 2015, the international community agreed to pursue all possible measures to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Students can take action by educating their non-environmentally informed friends about the perils of climate change, and the basic habits they can change in their daily lives (such as eating less meat) to help make an impact. Around the world events are being cancelled and travel plans dropped. Use this tool to contact your local Congressman. part may be reproduced without the written permission. Your opinions are important to us. googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1449240174198-2'); }); It's Global Climate Change Week. Of universities, schools and workplaces have closed and some workers are choosing work! 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