Last week I represented the Climate Leadership Network (CLN) and Second Nature Board of Directors in a meeting with higher education leaders from Japan to discuss collaborative opportunities in addressing the important topic of climate change and climate action. Since 1993, Second Nature has worked with over 4,000 faculty and administrators at hundreds of colleges and universities to help make the principles of sustainability fundamental to every aspect of higher education. The Climate Leadership Network is a signature program of Second Nature that provides resources, networking, and national engagement opportunities for signatory institutions.
CLN and Second Nature are working toward partnering with Japan’s Universities Coalition for Carbon Neutrality 2050 which is comprised of 130+ universities in Japan and supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Ministry of the Environment (MOE), and the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry (METI). The Coalition encourages universities to enhance collaboration with government, municipalities, companies, and domestic and international universities to promote cross-sector research and development around decarbonization.
In May 2021, the Japanese Coalition and Second Nature connected to establish a joint US-Japan universities committee to deepen collaboration between higher education institutions from both countries and establish joint climate research and action programs. Second Nature is currently working to host a joint US-Japan climate workshop this fall with members of both organizations. The workshop will focus on identifying areas of common interest, share innovation climate curriculum, and develop joint climate research and/or action programs.
I look forward to continuing to represent Second Nature and Virginia Wesleyan University as this partnership develops. This is an important opportunity for collaboration given our common interests through our LUJ/VWU Global (Japan) campus in Tokyo and the University’s overall position on climate action. |