U California Awards $80M Toward Climate Priorities
As part of a historic partnership between the University of California (UC) and the state of California, the university in August announced it is awarding over $80 million in climate action grants to spur implementation of solutions that directly address state climate priorities. The selected projects aim to improve the health of farmworkers; increase resilience of state water and power systems; and identify innovative nature-based solutions toward biodiversity degradation, sea level rise, and wildfire risk.
Investment Coalition Seeks to Stop New Fossil Fuel Projects
(U.K.) Representatives from the Universities of Newcastle, Sussex, Bristol, and from Trinity College Cambridge and Jesus College at the University of Cambridge recently published an open letter asking asset managers to vote against directors of companies pursuing or backing new fossil fuel projects. It also asks investors to support all climate-linked shareholder resolutions, particularly those that call for an end to new fossil fuel projects.
U Southern California to Obtain Solar Electricity for 25% of Consumption
The new 20-year agreement will provide a quarter of the university's electricity with power from a solar farm in Mojave. In addition to lowering its carbon footprint, the university will contribute approximately $180,000 per year to the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Clean Energy Adder program that supports disadvantaged communities in and around USC’s campuses.
Dartmouth College B-School Receives $52M for Endowed Sustainability Summit
The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth recently received a $52.1 million anonymous pledge to endow a recurring summit that convenes global leaders from the private and public sectors, academic researchers and students with the goal of inspiring action to improve the health, wealth and sustainability of people and the planet in the 21st century. Summit topics will explore the intersecting roles of public policy, health care, climate change, politics and finance in addressing global challenges.
WHO Working Group Calls for Climate Change Education for Health Professionals
The World Health Organization's Civil Society Working Group recently released a letter calling on universities and other education stakeholders to advance action on health and climate change. The letter underscores the importance of graduating health professionals being prepared to identify, prevent and respond to the health impacts of climate change and environmental degradation. It offers calls to action, example courses and additional resources.
Concordia U invests $2M in Local Circular Economy Fund
The university's foundation recently announced a $2 million contribution to a Québec-based, circular economy initiative, launched in March 2021 by Fondaction, in partnership with the City of Montreal and Recyc-Québec. The fund aims to accelerate ecological transition through the circular economy, notably by reducing the production of residual materials and supporting their recovery, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
U Virginia Launches $60M Climate Change Solutions Program
The university's newly announced Grand Challenge Research Initiatives will invest $60 million into collaborative climate change research. UVA researchers will work to develop clean energy solutions and help local communities develop best practices for responding to climate-driven challenges.
Stanford U Receives $1B for School of Sustainability
Stanford’s first new school in 70 years will launch this fall as the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability, recognizing a $1.1 billion gift from John and Ann Doerr. The school will have academic departments that advance subject understanding, interdisciplinary institutes that innovate across fields, and an accelerator focused on developing near-term policy and technology solutions. (Image credit: Edward Caldwell)
U Pittsburgh Introduces Social Justice Faculty Fellowship
The Office of Health Sciences, Diversity and Inclusion recently established a social justice faculty fellowship program that aims to raise awareness among faculty about health inequities in the local community. The program, funded by campus-community partnerships, was developed to address Pitt students’ calls to action on social justice and systemic racism.
