Auburn University leads in global climate education initiative

Auburn University is joining more than 100 universities around the world in a global climate education initiative that aims to solve climate change while also supporting struggling communities that have faced joblessness, sickness and loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of that effort, Auburn will host a public webinar on “Green Recovery, Climate Solutions and a Just Transition” on Wednesday, April 7, from 6-7:30 p.m.

The webinar is one of 125 similar events being held across the planet in early April as part of a global project called Solve Climate By 2030, sponsored by Bard College in New York.

Worldwide, from Australia to Alabama, Kyrgyzstan to Kentucky, Colombia to Colorado and Malaysia to Minnesota, students and community members will hear from local climate experts about concrete steps focused on moving the needle on climate change, while creating much-needed jobs and income for all.

“This webinar will present realistic and optimistic possibilities in Alabama for a climate-friendly economic recovery, a transition to renewable energy that has tremendous social and economic potential and for a just transition to a society that includes and meets the needs and rights of the most vulnerable among us,” said Mike Kensler, director of Auburn’s Office of Sustainability.

Auburn’s April 7 discussion will feature the following speakers examining topics of solutions for Alabama:

• Daniel Tait, chief operating officer of Energy Alabama

• Alan Booker, founder and executive director of the Institute of Integrated Regenerative Design

• Nina Morgan, climate and environmental justice organizer of the Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution

Eban Goodstein, economist and director of the Solve Climate project at Bard College, urges climate-concerned teachers at the college, university and high school level to kick off Earth Month by discussing the overview of climate solutions here in Alabama.

Professors can utilize Auburn’s webinar to engage students in this critical dialog on social media by using #MakeClimateAClass.

“You don’t have to be an expert on climate to talk with your students,” said Goodstein. “Every subject contributes to understanding climate solutions. Whether you are teaching art, literature, business, philosophy or any other discipline, you can access easy-to-use teaching guides to ‘Make Climate A Class’ at Auburn University.”

Registration to watch the Alabama webinar is available online: https://auburn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_iyYlYX1tQHuT1O6G_NUTIw.