Universities Leading on Climate
Communities have long been leading on climate action, proving that rapid and equitable climate solutions are possible, and inspiring policies at the state & federal level.
Universities, like the cities that hold them, are communities in their own right. Our new report shows how Michigan's 15 public universities have taken steps to address climate change and build a culture of sustainability.
Representing a considerable part of Michigan’s economy and society, higher education institutions can help solve the novel scientific, technological, political, and social challenges climate change will create in their students’ lifetimes. One of the most important things that they can do at this point in history is to educate people about climate change and to use their intellectual resources to devise and implement effective climate action plans to model and actuate a more sustainable world.
Discover which institutions have already committed to accelerated action in Universities Leading on Climate, a comprehensive showcase of how Michigan universities are responding to the climate crisis in three key categories: campus facilities, transportation, and community involvement. Download the full report >
We are excited to lift up and celebrate local climate and justice work with this report, and we are committed to helping other Michigan colleges and universities push forward their climate goals.
About the Author
Please help us recognize author Brendan Mortensen-Seguin for his efforts to research and compile the Universities report during his spring semester 2023 internship with MiCAN. We thank him for his contributions to our work, and to Western Michigan University's climate initiatives as he enters his junior year.
Get to know Brendan and see some of his impressive internship highlights >>
Community Voices Series
The Community Voices Series is a monthly virtual convening drawing diverse participants from the network to amplify local climate work, connect members and groups, and support each other's actions. MiCAN rotates the content and geographical area of focus to allow the audience to learn from and mimic other Michigan communities' successful contributions to our collective climate movement. Community Voices programming connects local, grassroots, and grasstops climate leaders, and provides a forum to share and inquire about successful initiatives, identify challenges and resource opportunities, and build shared knowledge. Our inaugural event in March 2023 put a spotlight on several West Michigan climate action groups and included a tour of a climate-managed forest. Since then the series has hosted representatives from local anchor institutions, including the efforts of health professionals, and the efforts of sustainability staff in schools. You can view recordings from those gatherings here, and if you find you'd like to be featured, email [email protected] to request a future conversation topic.
Communities Leading on Climate
Check out our Cities Report, which shows at least 17 Michigan communities have set ambitious climate goals to reach carbon neutrality or 100% renewable energy before 2050.
Michigan Communities Leading on Climate also includes case studies of how four Michigan cities - Ann Arbor, Highland Park, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City - are finding innovative ways to move rapidly and equitably to renewable energy. Download the full report here.
*CORRECTION - We have added Royal Oak to our list of cities with a community wide carbon neutrality goal!