Boston University Institute for Global Sustainability’s Post

Celebrate #ClimateWeekNYC (Sept 22–29) with NYPL! Get informed about climate-related topics with new books spanning scientific research, policy proposals, economic impacts, and health consequences. → 15 New Books About Climate Change https://lnkd.in/eNTMd2vE

Back in 2011, I was invited to give my first public talk after my PhD about the psychology of climate change. This was a big deal. I had just returned from living in the UK for several years, had finished a post-doc, and was living in California, having just left academia only a few months prior. The Garrison Institute was hosting a gathering on the intersections of climate, mind and contemplative practice. It was a small group from around the world. Did I want to give a talk about my work? I made my way to upstate New York, and got on the stage. There, I spoke my truth, and gave voice to what I saw on the horizon: there would be a huge trend towards recognizing the psychology of climate change. We'd see a rise of "climate cafes" -- I cited Rosemary Randall's pioneering work in carbon conversations. I highlighted the need for conversations. I said that the climate movement MUST get literate--fast--in human dimensions of climate change, notably what makes us turn away and avoid facing the hard realities. It's now been over ten years and I stand by every word in this talk. I am grateful to Daniel Siegel who kindly offered feedback, Jonathan Rose, and Bruce Lowry with whom I spend the subsequent dinner pitching the need to make this a priority for Skoll Global Threats Fund. What transpired was a portfolio of work and trajectory I never could have imagined. Here's the talk for anyone who is interested! Let me know what you think. Did I get it right back then? #climate #climatepsychology #climateconversations #climateemotions #carbon #climatechange #climateanxiety #existentialpsychology #climatemind #behaviorchange #psychosocial

In his new book, Thomas Hale explains that climate change is one of society’s “long problems,” a challenge that “spans more than one human lifetime.” Hale, a professor of global public policy at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford, asserts that long problems challenge us to “govern across time,” rather than in the short terms of election cycles and quarterly returns. Read Andy Hoffman’s review in SSIR’s summer issue and learn more about Hale’s approach to overcoming the political and governance challenges associated with climate change: https://lnkd.in/ehzVXNuX Hoffman writes: “As long problems become more urgent, we become more immediate and short term in our political orientation. Put differently, when we are drowning, we are less concerned with fixing the cause of the flood than we are with surviving.” #climatechange #climatesolutions

📣 The Governor’s Office of Planning and Research, California Strategic Growth Council, California Energy Commission, and the California Natural Resources Agency are looking for University of California and The California State University representatives to lead the development of California’s Fifth #ClimateChange Assessment Topical Synthesis Reports! The Topical Reports will uplift issues of statewide significance, focusing on climate change impacts and risks as well as opportunities to build #adaptation capacity and #resilience. These areas include, 1. Racial Equity & Climate Justice, 2. Climate-Induced Human Displacement & Migration, and 3. Climate Impacts to the Economy. Prospective applicants can review our Call for Topical Report Coordinating Lead Authors (linked in the comments) for further details about the application process and topical report focus areas.

The critical role of local context in shaping climate policy ∙ Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Research on Society and Space (IRS) have explored how climate managers customize their strategies based on their understanding of local structural and political factors. 🎓 Wolfgang Haupt, Leonie Laug, Peter Eckersley Their findings reveal that they are adept at navigating local challenges by developing tailored approaches to drive impactful climate actions. This study emphasizes the significance of local adaptability in achieving broader climate goals and the effectiveness of managers in transforming potential obstacles into opportunities for climate progress. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-ntzTUy Regional Studies Association | Regional Studies Journal 👋 Jennifer Clark, Ben Derudder, John Harrison, David Bailey, Dieter Franz Kogler, Laura Polverari #ClimateChange #LocalLeadership #Sustainability #ClimatePolicy #ResearchInsights

Most of the youth engagement I've seen in climate and sustainability is either focused on science/engineering or entrepreneurship. Outside of these paths, which organizations or individuals are doing high-impact work on other facets like finance (non-VC), climate communications, behavior change etc?

Check out this insightful read!

Climate change affects all of us, regardless of the career path we take or where we live. I am happy to have contributed an essay to this volume with my colleagues Debby Rosenthal and Jeff Johansen where we challenged students to think about how climate change will affect their own lives and career paths. Check out this book on teaching climate justice and building resilience in students. #climatechange #climatejustice #climateeducation

🌍 Crisis #PolicyMaking: a growing challenge ⬇️ In times of crisis, expert knowledge becomes essential for sound decision-making. However, growing distrust in evidence-based policies has sparked a challenge. The Schuman Centre explores how to bridge the gap between policymakers and academic experts to enhance resilience in the face of global crises—from climate change to migration and pandemics. 🔑 Scientific evidence plays a vital role in shaping democratic policies, especially during crises. How do we ensure policymakers are equipped to handle the complexity? 📖 Learn more in Chapter 5️⃣ of the 2024-25 #ResearchAgenda: https://loom.ly/6zocraQ ✍️ Costanza Hermanin

This is such a critical initiative—including the question of how we can support kids to understand the state of the environment in a way that’s empowering rather than only anxiety-inducing. #teaching #environment #climate #parentinf