Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection’s Post

📢 Concordia University undergraduate students, grad students and faculty, are you passionate about the environment and climate issues? 🔥🌎 The Climate Emergency Committee is hosting a recruitment event on September 27th at 3:30pm - 5:30pm, H-1271 (12th floor of the Hall building, SGW campus). 🚨**EDIT** IMPORTANT UPDATE - NEW EVENT DATE: The event will now take place on September 27th, same time, same place and same important cause! While balancing the urgency of climate change with the potential for positive change, we want to facilitate students to have constructive conversations about the environmental, biological, and social impacts of climate change and about potential activities to reduce GHG emissions. The overarching objective of the Climate Emergency Committee is to increase understanding of the natural processes behind our climate systems, to raise awareness of human induced processes that are leading to the climate changing, and to work as a group to come up with individual and systemic solutions. Our committee not only provides Concordia students with knowledge on climate change issues, but it also acts as a community for students to do something about climate change. We encourage those who join us to bring their ideas for new projects, or to join our ongoing projects.   We would like to extend to you an invitation to join our committee! The last few years have been strange, but it is helpful to keep and further develop a sense of community and to continue discussions about issues we are passionate about. At this event, we will introduce ourselves, explain what we can do, plan our meeting times for this semester, and we will talk about the current and past projects that our committee has accomplished. As the health of our planet is very important to many of us, please take the time to share this post and to stop by to learn more about what you can do to help! See you there! 😄 #ConcordiaUniversity #ClimateChange #Environment #StudentGroup

Glad for the opportunity to table last week at at the Wentworth University "Sustainability Street" along with Michael McCord, co-founder at Boston Green Action. As part of a larger Wentworth event, we were able to discuss climate initiatives across various industries and how students can get engaged, right now, right here in the City of Boston. More than ever, it's important to have these conversations to the current and future drivers of change - us, the youth, the students. The biggest takeaway from the event was that climate outreach must be tailored to the audience to maximise effectiveness. While it's as crucial as ever to talk of ambitious global climate goals and lofty projects, I found that the "hook" for many students is something tangible, something that they can have a meaningful part in. Outreach must show a way forward to students in which they feel fulfilled and active rather than being cogs in a machine-like process - however benevolent that process may be. As such, conversations that I had with students often drifted towards infrastructure electrification, architecture, green spaces and grassroots advocacy- often accompanied with an empowering acknowledgement on the part of the students, as they realised just how much they can do at the local level, as individuals. Another key takeaway is including tangible incentives for students when making an "ask" for climate advocacy and participation. While activists themselves recognise the urgency of climate action from both a logical and emotional lens, many youth may not be as "tuned in" or as motivated (at least initially) to play a part. Regardless of what field a student wishes to make a career in, highlighting experience, skills and connections to be made in the rapidly expanding climate space is a pragmatic way to get more students involved. Looking forward to continuing my engagement in the climate space and meeting interesting folks in Boston and beyond!

Follow our U.S. Climate Corps Fellows! 🎥 This summer, we’re taking you behind the scenes on what our transformative fellowship program experience is like, and to celebrate how our Fellows are advancing climate strategies at a time the world needs it most.    💵 A (work)force for good: Many of our Fellows are catalyzing investors and financial institutions to accelerate climate action.    ✏️ Our Fellows are busy researching viable financial mechanisms to influence climate action, developing new green financing platforms and leveraging portfolio companies to reduce impact at companies like Chubb, JLL and Rewiring America.    🤩 “For me, working in the sustainability field is driven by the desire to make a positive impact on the planet. The motivation stems from the belief that every effort, no matter how small, can contribute to a sustainable future, and this field offers the opportunity to innovate, create solutions and influence policies that can shape the health of our planet and its inhabitants for generations to come.” — Chinedu Candidus Nsude a current University of Oklahoma student and Sustainable Finance-focused Climate Corps Fellow at Voya Financial.    Money is flowing into green innovation, and we need our future workforce to steer these investments into real climate solutions. Our Climate Corps Fellows are innovating finance to be good for businesses and the planet. You can too:  https://lnkd.in/eT3NqArr  

🌍 "Climate change is the largest challenge of our lifetimes, and academic institutions can no longer ignore their unfulfilled potential for climate action." Higher education institutions must step up for climate justice! 📚 Dive into PhD Candidate Alaina Kinol's groundbreaking article, "Academic Institutions Owe Us Climate Justice," to explore proactive solutions for a more sustainable future. Discover how academic institutions can redistribute power and deploy resources to counter climate denial. 🌱📢 #ClimateJustice #HigherEducation Let's make a difference together.

It was an honor and a privilege to present at last year’s Summer Institute presented by Climate Generation. Who is Climate Generation? Climate Generation ignites and sustains the ability of educators, youth, and communities to act on systems perpetuating the climate crisis. It also builds climate literacy, amplifying personal connections to climate change, and developing powerful advocates amongst educators, youth, and communities through a model of collaboration and partnership. What is the Summer institute? The three-day climate change education conference is built by educators and climate change professionals from across the US, Canada, and the Pacific Islands. Institute Themes 1. Understanding & Observing Climate Change Dive into how people study, understand, and portray climate change. 2. Building Connection - Learn to engage the heart and the mind to build relationships for climate action. 3. Education for Justice - A look into the intersections between social justice, climate change, and education. 4. Educators as Change Makers & Champions - Celebrate good teaching strategies that steward climate literacy and social change. 5. Levers for Change - Explore and evaluate climate change solutions that catalyze systemic change to support communities. My Presentation Title and Description : “ENROADS as a tool to evaluate and prioritize climate action policies while addressing equity concern” The En-ROADS climate simulator is designed to allow attendees to determine climate action which can limit global warning to 1.5 degrees Celsius by 2100. Essential to building support for climate action is an examination of the many other issues that climate change touches. In this presentation we explore the co-benefits and equity considerations that you can highlight with En-ROADS and how framing things as efforts toward multisolving can advance multiple priorities at once. Multi-solving focuses on the development of real-world climate solutions that are rooted in environmental justice, while also offering co-benefits in health, well-being, climate resilience, and beyond. The main takeaways - 1. Any action used to mitigate climate change will need to be equitable and just. There are some actions which have unequal impact which should  be considered when the step is implemented. 2. Difference Between Equality and Equity - Equality means each individual or group of people is given the same resources or opportunities. While Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and allocates the exact resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Update: I have been invited to present at this year’s Summer Institute. #ClimateGeneration #SummerInstitute #EquityversusEquality #EnRoads #ClimateInteractive #Multisolving #EquitableClimateSolutions #ClimateAction #ClimateLiteracy

It is a privilege to teach students in Global Climate Policy & Sustainability, offered by the Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP); the course examines national and global climate politics. Using case studies from various regions, students assess the impact of sociopolitical, economic, and environmental values on the development of climate strategies. The class helps students better understand how policymaking works in different parts of the world and makes recommendations for more effective and sustainable climate action. Thanks for the feature, MIT Spectrum! https://lnkd.in/eqNbKds5

Closure of Application Window for Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice Cohort IV   NSSCJ News Updates-25th March 2024: As the deadline for applications to the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice Cohort IV draws to a close, aspiring participants eagerly await the next phase of this transformative journey.   Launched a month ago, the call for applications garnered attention from individuals committed to advancing climate justice and sustainability in their communities and beyond. Scheduled to commence on June 23rd, 2024, at Chuka University, this year's summer school promises to be a pivotal moment for emerging leaders in the field.   The initiative, renowned for its comprehensive curriculum and immersive learning experiences, serves as a catalyst for fostering a global network of change-makers dedicated to tackling climate change. Cohort IV represents another cohort of passionate individuals poised to confront the pressing challenges of our time.   With the application window now closed, the focus shifts to the meticulous selection process designed to identify candidates who demonstrate not only academic excellence but also a profound commitment to environmental stewardship and social justice. A panel of experts will review each application diligently, considering factors such as prior experience, innovative ideas, and potential for impact.   Following the selection process, eligible candidates can anticipate receiving notifications within three weeks. This critical phase serves as a moment of anticipation and excitement as participants await confirmation of their acceptance into the program. For many, it marks the beginning of a transformative journey that will equip them with the knowledge, skills, and networks necessary to effect positive change in their communities.   Once notified of their acceptance, participants can expect to receive detailed information regarding the next steps and preparations for the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice. From logistical arrangements to pre-course readings and assignments, these guidelines aim to ensure that participants are adequately equipped and prepared for the intensive learning experience that lies ahead.     The closure of the application window marks just the beginning of an enriching and transformative journey for participants of the Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice Cohort IV. As they prepare to embark on this adventure, they carry with them a shared commitment to driving positive change and building a more sustainable and equitable future for all. 

Youth are the future and San Francisco Environment Department could not agree more! San Francisco Environment Department’s (SFE) Environmental Education team, in collaboration with San Francisco Unified School District, has launched a pilot Climate Action Fellowship (CAF) to empower youth to take climate action and build hope around climate change. CAF members are supported by an SFE mentor to learn different environmental policies and are encouraged to spread environmental literacy in their communities. From these experiences, students gain leadership experience, learn about the department, work closely with government agencies, and attend workshops and retreats. The SFE Climate Action Fellowship program empowers the next generation of environmental leaders, strengthening trust and knowledge sharing between both parties. “I joined Climate Action Fellowship because I want to make an impact in my community. As the next generation, I want to make sure I'm involved in policies that will affect my community. Many people my age care about the environment and here, we can come together and create change. This shows that the education system is also changing because we’re learning so many topics we didn’t before, and I think that’s great!” - Kenia, Climate Action Fellow (17 years old) To get involved with the Climate Action Fellowship or our School Education team, please email ENV-education@sfgov.org Read the full blog post here: https://lnkd.in/gSiSRFdr

The National Science Foundation announced the University of Utah along with six core academic partners will be part of a multi-institutional enterprise to confront the climate challenges facing the desert Southwest and spur economic development in the region. The effects of climate change are acutely evident in the American Southwest, from the desertification of Utah’s Great Salt Lake to the record-breaking extreme heat in Arizona and the dwindling supply of the Colorado River reaching Nevada. Driven by the U’s mission to find solutions for society’s critical challenges, SWSIE is an opportunity to tackle one of the biggest threats to our state and region through innovation and collaboration—all while driving economic prosperity. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gR8Gyhme

Big news - Biden/Harris Administration establish via Executive Order the American Climate Corps Few things that standout: 1. Focus on skills-based training for good-paying jobs 2. Targeted impact on 20,000 job seekers 3. Centered on equity by prioritizing those communities that have previously been left behind 4. Acknowledgement that 5 states have already successfully launched these programs (California, Colorado, Maine, Michigan and Washington) & will be joined by 5 new states (Arizona, Utah, Minnesota, North Carolina and Maryland) 5. Allocating investments in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeships to successfully achieve these goals While there is a lot to parse through in this announcement, the reality is that we are in the early days of how we prepare our emerging workforce to tackle a host of challenges from environmental to artificial intelligence. The coordination between talent, employers and training providers will be essential for success. By working closely with employers to understand the skills needed for success, creating new pathways to achieve these goals and then unleashing the talent into an organization while supporting their success is going to be amazing. https://lnkd.in/guirDfWV