Universities Need a Trump Response Plan to Navigate Climate Policy Shifts

Strategic Insights -

Higher education institutions in the US are facing unprecedented threats to their climate action efforts due to the Trump administration's rollback of clean energy policies. Speakers at a conference hosted by Second Nature emphasized the need for universities to develop a response plan to navigate these changes, adapt to new realities, and prioritize their mission. With the federal government hostile to climate action, universities are turning to state and local governments, partnerships with diverse organizations, and alliances with institutions overseas to drive progress.

Key Takeaways:

  • Colleges and universities should form rapid response teams to confront political threats and advocate through coalitions, as suggested by Gregory Washington, president of George Mason University.
  • Universities may have to pick their battles and let some work go, particularly if it relates to "trigger words" like "climate change" that the administration objects to.
  • Debates are raging about whether to avoid using language that the administration dislikes, with some arguing that changing the language won't stop government staff from investigating the work programs actually do.
  • Universities are complicit in climate change and have done far too little for too long on this issue, with financial ties to fossil fuel companies being a major factor.
  • Students are frustrated with university inaction and are demanding more take-action commitments from their institutions.
  • Climate action has accelerated, even in red states, with some universities achieving success in reducing emissions and fighting climate change.
  • Higher ed needs new ways of measuring climate action, going beyond net neutrality and further reducing carbon emissions.
  • University officials are discussing strategies for moving beyond net neutrality and further reducing carbon emissions, including integrating climate action into all aspects of university life.

Statistics:

  • 100% job placement rate for students graduating from Central Community College's wind, solar, and battery storage program.
  • $28 to $32 per hour, the typical pay for jobs that students graduate into with the program.
  • 380,000+ tons, the annual greenhouse gas emission reduction target set by Second Nature for the higher education sector.
  • 5 years, the amount of time that many researchers predict it will take to see the benefits of climate action efforts.

Sources:

  • "Universities need a Trump response plan" by Caroline Preston, The Hechinger Report.
  • "The climate crisis and the universities" by Alexander Barron, Smith College.
  • "A Trump response plan for universities" by Gregory Washington, George Mason University.
  • "The Institute for Nonprofit News' On the Ground news wire"
  • "Second Nature"
  • "Central Community College"
  • "American University"